The Union County is accepting applications for its Local Arts Grants.
Donor Name: Union County
State: New Jersey
County: Union County (NJ)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/24/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Union County Board of County Commissioners, through the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board and the NJ State Council on the Arts, have made funds available to support local arts through a State/County block-grant partnership for non-profit arts organizations and non-arts organizations located in and serving the residents of Union County. LAP funds are awarded to organizations (“re-grantees”) that demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in producing arts activities, to promote the growth and expand the public impact of arts organizations and arts projects.
Goals 
LAP provides funds for arts programs in Union County to further these goals:

create public recognition of the value of the arts
strengthen local arts organizations, artistically and administratively
foster and reward artistic excellence
increase the availability of quality arts experiences to the general public
increase accessibility to the arts through compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
broaden, deepen and diversify participation in the arts
foster collaborations and partnership-building 
promote expanded public and private support of local arts activities
Applicants are encouraged to address any of these Special Areas of Interest:
highlight the excellence of New Jersey artists and/or contemporary artists 
incorporate diverse programming and artists
demonstrate effort to reach a diverse audience and/or underserved communities
present programs that appeal to families 
promote high-quality, lifelong arts education.

Type of Support
Eligible organizations may apply for funding in one of two categories: 

General Operating Support (GOS) 

This category is exclusively for arts organizations, and is not project-specific. Request cannot exceed 40% of organization’s total projected annual operating budget. Applicants should present the full range of their organization’s operations and must demonstrate high standards of artistry and management.

Special Project (SP) 

This category is open to both arts and non-arts organizations, to fund an arts project or arts series. Examples of Special Projects are:

Series of performances, films or presentations
Programs for youth, senior citizens, or people with disabilities
Culturally specific work 
Enhanced costuming, orchestration, choreography or marketing 
Arts education 
Board development or staff training
Strategic planning
Marketing and Publicity
ADA assistive services
Technical Assistance.

Funding Information

Minimum Request: $1,500
Maximum Request: For General Operating Support (arts organizations only), $15,000 is the maximum request. Requested amount for GOS applicants cannot exceed 40% of organization’s total projected 2025 operating budget. For a Special Project, $5,000 is the maximum request.

Grant Period
The LAP Grant operates on a 12-month fiscal period.
Use of Funds

General Operating Support

This grant is for arts organizations only, and is not project-specific. Expenditures using grant funds may include, but are not limited to:

Staff salaries
Consultants 
Professional development 
Internet, phone or other utilities 
Printing and postage 
Marketing, publicity and advertising
Materials or supplies
Leased equipment 
Fundraising and development 
Assistive services or equipment (ADA) 
Insurance and audit expenses 
Domestic travel and transportation

Special Project

This grant is project-specific. Funds must be used to pay expenses for the Project only:

Fees for outside professional artists
Fees for other outside Professionals
Printing & postage
Materials or supplies
Rented space or equipment
Maintenance costs
Marketing, publicity and advertising
Staff training
Board development
Strategic planning
ADA assistive services
Arts education.

Eligibility Criteria 

Applications are accepted from eligible organizations planning to provide the Union County public with a high-quality arts program or arts project.
Arts organizations may apply for General Operating Support (GOS) or a Special Project grant (SP).
Non-arts organizations may apply for a Special Project grant (SP) to fund an arts project or series.
Local Arts Grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations meeting the following requirements:

Is Union County-based; activities take place in Union County and benefit Union County residents 
Organization is incorporated in the State of New Jersey for a minimum of two years
Has IRS tax-exempt status in accordance with Sections 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 or pending same.

Local Arts Grants may also be awarded to libraries, schools, and units of government for a specific Arts project.

For more information, visit Union County.