Q: I am a local professional artist but I’m not a member of PACA – may I still apply?
A: No, the PACA grants are only for PACA members. However, you may join PACA (info HERE) prior to applying and would then be eligible for grant funding.
Q: My organization (or I) received funding for a 2024 PACA Grant – are we eligible to apply for a 2025 ACI Grant?
A: Yes, however you CANNOT apply for funding for the same project/event/program for which you received funds last year. You may, however, apply for funds for the same project/event/program for last year, if this year’s application demonstrates the 2025 funds would be used for a SUBSTANTIAL enhancement/innovation related to the 2024 project/event/program.
Q: I’m a professional art gallery (or other member of the creative industries sector) – am I eligible to apply?
A: No, the grants are for professional artists or nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. However, you may partner with a local artist (or nonprofit organization) and be eligible to accept funds via the grant process – you simply can not be the fiscal agent for the grant. For example, if a local artist applied for a grant to create a one-person visual art exhibit, the for-profit gallery can act as a vendor and receive compensation for its services related to the funded project.
Q: Can I apply for more than one of the PACA Grants? If so, how many can I apply for?
A: Yes, however please understand that:
1. Your (or your organization’s) grant requests must be substantially different from one another to receive funding for both;
2. You (or your organization) can only receive funding for the second grant provided there are surplus funds remaining after all of the grant applications have been scored. In other words, if there is money left over due to not enough applicants or a low number of quality grant requests, then your second grant request is eligible for funding;
3. If both of your grant requests are eligible for funding, you will be contacted and asked to prioritize which grant request you would like funded first.
4. An applicant may ONLY apply for 2 grants (of any combination).
Q: My organization’s latest IRS Form 990 shows revenues above the $500,000 threshold, however that revenue amount is not typical for our organization – does that make us ineligible for this grant funding?
A: If you feel your latest Form 990 revenues are atypical, you may explain in the application why they were above the $500,000 and you can upload previous years’ 990s to document the anomaly. For example, if your organization recently underwent a capital campaign, the 990 may make it appear that your revenues were too high for the grant. However, if you can show that they are typically BELOW the $500,000 threshold, then your organization would be eligible to apply.
Q: My organization doesn’t file a Form 990 but instead files a 990-N Postcard – does that disqualify us from the grant process.
A: Not at all – simply upload an image of that postcard or other documentation that demonstrates your organization is complying with IRS regulations in terms of reporting.
Q: What are some things the PACA Grant funds CAN be used for?
A: PACA Grant funds can be used for such things as: artist professional development, organizational infrastructure improvements, commissioned art pieces, setting new works/pieces, arts/cultural educational programs, event marketing, event-specific materials and supplies, artist fees, travel expenses for visiting artists/lecturers, etc.
Q: What are some things the PACA Grant funds CANNOT be used for?
A: PACA Grant funds cannot be used for general organizational operating expenses (employee salaries, rent, insurance, recurring bills, etc.) or capital expenditures not related to the grant.
Q: Can the grant be used to pay an artists for their work on the program/project/event?
A: Yes, artists can be compensated for the work they do on the grant – even if the work is organizational (facilitating a workshop, organizing the project/event/program, etc.). However, volunteers for nonprofit organizations cannot be compensated for any work on the program/project/event UNLESS they are acting in the capacity of a professional artist for the project/program/event.
For any additional inquiries, email grants@polkarts.org