organization innovation grant overview
The Organization Innovation Grant provides funding to Marshall County non-profit organizations who are expanding their community and/or audience engagement efforts through arts, culture and/or creativity. We are looking for initiatives that will take your work into accessible public spaces and meet the community where they are at.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: EXACT DATES + DETAILS COMING SOON!
PAYMENT: Up to $5,000
Successful applicants will create a public project, program, performance, or event that creatively interprets one of the five placemaking themes identified in the Marshalltown Arts and Culture Master Plan. While some ideas can be found in the Arts and Culture Master Plan, organizations are encouraged to freely interpret these concepts. It is likely applications may address more than one theme.
Placemaking Themes include:
GRANT DETAILS
The Arts + Culture Alliance supports arts, culture and creativity across all environments and disciplines. Whether your primary function as an organization is arts, culture and creativity or you offer programming/events that include arts, culture and/or creative elements, this grant could offer you support.
Eligible Applicants
This grant is open to Marshall County non-profit organizations.
Ineligible Applicants
- Organizations who currently have an open grant contract with the ACA
- Organizations that have received grants from the ACA and are not in compliance with reporting or other requirements
Eligible Activities
- New artwork/performance
- Creative Placemaking events/activities
- Community engagement artwork, event, or activation
- Public indoor or outdoor installation
- Arts and/or cultural education programs
Ineligible Activities
Activities that fall outside of the identified types of eligible activities will not receive funding through this grant program. Ineligible activities include, but are not limited to, the following types of activities:
- Projects that discriminate against people because of their age, race, creed, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or national origin
- Projects to be completed and not shared with the public in some way, shape or form
- Projects that have already occurred or have already been completed
- Projects that are not original
- Fundraiser, benefit activities or annual campaigns
- Political activities, organizations or campaigns, along with lobbying activities
- Faith based programming or purposes or projects that exclusively serve religious purposes
- Application Opens | more info coming soon!
- Application Deadline | more info coming soon!
- We highly encourage questions to be addressed well in advance of the application deadline.
- Please note, we will not be available for questions after 5 PM on the day of the deadline.
- Funding Decision Notifications | more info coming soon!
- Applicants are encouraged to refrain from contacting staff for application status updates during the funding decision process
- Eligible Funding Period | more info coming soon!
- The Eligible Funding Period officially begins upon the completion of the grant contract/MOU. We will review with all awardees immediately following decision notifications.
- All expenses must be incurred within the Eligible Funding Period.
- All grantees must complete their proposed artwork, program, or project by December 1, 2025.
- Final Report Deadline | more info coming soon!
Interested artists should submit the online application no later than the application deadline. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted.
The grant application requires:
- Organization contact information
- Application questions
- Documentation of recent programs, events, or performances (optional)
Successful grant applications will demonstrate the relationship between the grant money, your organization’s mission, and The Arts and Culture Master Plan. Finalists will be chosen by the Arts + Culture Alliance Board of Directors.
Applicants must request an amount not to exceed $5,000. Payments will be made upon receipt of a signed contract, prior to the work or project associated with the grant.
Eligible Grant Expenses
Grant funds support expenses essential to the completion of the proposed activities. The grant request must be dedicated to eligible one-time, direct expenses, that are legitimate parts of the proposed activities, and must be incurred and expended within the funding period. Applicants must demonstrate how the funding ties to the Arts & Culture Master Plan.
Types of eligible expenses include:
- In-state travel (i.e. mileage, accommodation, per diem)
- Equipment
- Materials (i.e. paint, costumes, props, etc.)
- Marketing (i.e. print material, ad buys, design fees, etc.)
- Professional Services (i.e. artist, printer, graphic designer, lawyer, editor, accountant, etc.)
- Rentals (i.e. stages, studio space, lighting, sound, lifts, etc.)
- Access accommodations (i.e. audio description, sign-language interpretation, translation, etc.)
Ineligible Grant Expenses
Expenses that fall outside of the identified eligible expenses for the grant activities may not be included as part of the grant request. Grant funds may not be used to support routine, ongoing activities or expenses. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.
Types of ineligible grant expenses include:
- Acquisition/purchase of artwork
- Budget shortfalls
- Costs of goods for resale
- Deficit or debt reduction
- Donations or contributions to other organizations
- Expenses incurred prior to or after the eligible funding period
- Out-of-state or foreign travel
- Funding cash reserve or endowment accounts
- Fundraising or benefit activity expenses
- Ongoing or operating expenses including utilities, rent/lease, office supplies, and personnel time that is not specifically dedicated to the grant activities
- Home studio/office costs or expenses, including utilities and mortgage payments
- Lobbying activities
- Personnel benefits
Successful grant applications will demonstrate the relationship between the grant money, your organization’s mission, and the Arts and Culture Master Plan. Finalists will be chosen by the Arts + Culture Alliance Board of Directors.
Applicants must request an amount not to exceed $5,000. Payments will be made upon receipt of a signed contract, prior to the work or project associated with the grant.
Eligible Grant Expenses
Grant funds support expenses essential to the completion of the proposed activities. The grant request must be dedicated to eligible one-time, direct expenses, that are legitimate parts of the proposed activities, and must be incurred and expended within the funding period. Applicants must demonstrate how the funding ties to the Arts & Culture Master Plan.
Types of eligible expenses include:
- In-state travel (i.e. mileage, accommodation, per diem)
- Equipment
- Materials (i.e. paint, costumes, props, etc.)
- Marketing (i.e. print material, ad buys, design fees, etc.)
- Professional Services (i.e. artist, printer, graphic designer, lawyer, editor, accountant, etc.)
- Rentals (i.e. stages, studio space, lighting, sound, lifts, etc.)
- Access accommodations (i.e. audio description, sign-language interpretation, translation, etc.)
Ineligible Grant Expenses
Expenses that fall outside of the identified eligible expenses for the grant activities may not be included as part of the grant request. Grant funds may not be used to support routine, ongoing activities or expenses. Applicants that include ineligible expenses in the grant request will be considered ineligible.
Types of ineligible grant expenses include:
- Acquisition/purchase of artwork
- Budget shortfalls
- Costs of goods for resale
- Deficit or debt reduction
- Donations or contributions to other organizations
- Expenses incurred prior to or after the eligible funding period
- Out-of-state or foreign travel
- Funding cash reserve or endowment accounts
- Fundraising or benefit activity expenses
- Ongoing or operating expenses including utilities, rent/lease, office supplies, and personnel time that is not specifically dedicated to the grant activities
- Home studio/office costs or expenses, including utilities and mortgage payments
- Lobbying activities
- Personnel benefits
Upon completion of the project, artists will be responsible for completing a report that provides the Alliance with useful information about the success of the artist project and this new granting initiative.
Questions Include:
- Describe how you were successful in activating your chosen placemaking theme*
- How did your project reach the Marshall County community*
- Describe how you spent the funds and how it aligned with your original plan from your application*
- Lessons learned and key takeaways*
- Approximately how many people did you actively engage*
- Quote from the artist*
- Quote from community members about your work
- Feedback about the grant and process
- Who engaged with your project?
- Names of partners/collaborators in the project
*Required
QUESTIONS?
Have an idea but not sure if it is eligible for this grant? Contact the ACA’s Executive Director, Amber Danielson, at director@artsandculturealliance.org well in advance of application deadlines if they have any questions regarding the program.
SUPPORT THE ARTS
Together, with your support, we can create opportunities for a thriving and vibrant community. Make a 100% tax deductible donation* online today.
*The Arts + Culture Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you have any questions, please contact us.