Always Plan Ahead

Who, What, Where, When, and Why? The best grant applications are for projects that are planned ahead of time. With the grant deadline in mind, the goal is to provide clear timelines, objectives, and outcomes. Additionally, you should be clear on how you will evaluate the success of your project before it happens – don’t let evaluation be an afterthought!

What Should you Highlight?

• Community involvement in the planning process.

• How the project reaches the entire community?

• The quality of the arts experience.

• How the grant will be paying for arts-related expenses?

• How and where have you looked for other sources of funding as well?

• How will this grant make the project bigger, better, and more accessible?

• Add value to your project by considering charging at least a minimal ticket price.

What Not to Ask for and What Not to Say…

• Do not ask for food expenses (other than for artists who are traveling). Stay away from reception expenses if possible.

• Do not refer to the arts activity as “entertainment.”

• Do not approach the activity as a fundraiser or talk about “proceeds” going to another cause.

• Do not ask for more funding for non-arts-related expenses than arts-related expenses.

• Do not ask for funds to support expenses already incurred (plan ahead).

• Don’t inflate your budget! It will be noticed right away.

Most Common Mistakes Made on Submitted Grant Applications:

• Completeness! Make sure everything is filled out. Be sure to sign the application.

• Budget Page Errors: Double-check your math. Round dollar amounts to the nearest $10.

• Starting Date: The project start date cannot be before the review of your grant.

• Lack of specifics – artists, dates, times, etc.

• Lack of Resumes or Bio Materials. Rule of thumb: If someone is getting paid with the grant funds – we need to see a resume or bio.

• Project narrative not reconciling with budget items.

• Audience numbers not matching ticket sales.

What Happens After you Submit a Grant Application?

Once your grant is submitted to the Five Wings Art Council office, our staff will review the application for completeness and eligibility requirements. Applications are then sent to our Board of Directors for review. Each board member will then review the application and assign a ranking based on the following three criteria:

1) Artistic merit of the project or activity.

2) Need for the project or activity in the community.

3) Ability of the applicant to carry out the project or activity.

The board will then meet to discuss each application and a final ranking is assigned to each application. Funds are granted to the project or activity that receives the highest rankings and then down the line until all funds are disbursed.