Capital Grant Opportunity

The Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission awards capital grants to small Dane County nonprofit arts, culture, and local history organizations in three grant cycles per year.

Beginning with the Second Grant Cycle (June 1, 2010 grant application deadline), ALL Capital Grant applicants will complete and submit an online application form.

The Commission rarely provides primary financial support; rather, grants are designed to help leverage additional funds from other sources and encourage applicants’ success in securing diverse funding.

Application Deadlines

Grant application deadlines and project periods:

• First Grant Cycle (February 1) for primary activities happening between May 1 of current year through April 30 of the following year
• Second Grant Cycle (June 1) for primary activities happening between September 1 of current year through August 31 of the following year
• Third Grant Cycle (October 1) for primary activities culminating between January 1 through December 31 of the following year

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CT on the day of the grant submission deadline.

Eligible Applicants

• Nonprofit Organizations (with proof of 501(c)(3) status)
• Projects and programs must be located in Dane County, Wisconsin
• Qualified Designated Fiscal Receivers in Dane County

Additional Eligibility Considerations

• Applicants may not submit more than one Capital Grant Application per cycle.
• Schools, school districts and municipalities may apply only if the capital project directly serves the greater community
• Capital grants are not available to individuals, public libraries, fraternal groups, churches, commercial businesses, neighborhood centers, and higher educational institutions.
• Capital grants for any single ongoing project will be limited to a total of five DCCAC grant awards. This limit does not apply to capital grants awarded prior to 2011.
• Resident organizations of the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison are not eligible, except those with annual operating budgets of less than $300,000.
• Applications will not be considered from grantees that have not fulfilled obligations to the Commission under terms of prior grant awards.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years in age at the time application is submitted.

Additional Required Documents

• Capital Grant Applications require a minimum of two external bids/cost estimates

Review Criteria

The following criteria are applied in the Commission’s Capital Grant Application review:

• Quality and creativity of proposed capital project
• Level of community impact and public benefit
• Evidence of thorough and realistic financial planning
• Ability of applicant to successfully complete proposed capital project
• Impact and influence of grant award grant to overall success of capital project

Application Guidelines

Amount Requested

• Capital Grants have a request amount range and limit, that may change from cycle to cycle. This information will be included in grant opportunities listed within WebGrants. Applications that include a grant amount request in Budget Summary exceeding upper limit will be ineligible for consideration and review.
• Commission capital grants only may account for up to 50% of a total project budget and the amount requested must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
• The Commission requires cash contributions to fulfill the matching requirement.
• Commission grants may not be matched by other Dane County tax dollars.
• The Commission may award a grant in a lesser amount than what is requested by an applicant. A grant in any amount carries no commitment for future support by the Commission beyond terms of the capital project supported.
• A budget error may disqualify an application.

Eligible Applications of Grant Award Dollars

• Commission grants MAY be used for:
  • Permanent equipment, i.e., a durable product having a useful lifespan of more than two years
  • Capital projects with permanent, lasting significance

• Commission grants MAY NOT be used for:
  • Purchase of artwork
  • Historical artifacts
  • Theater scripts, stage properties, costumes, music and dance scores
  • Books and other printed materials
  • Computer equipment, systems or software
  • Improvements to private residential or commercial property

Submitting a Grant Application

Beginning with the Second Grant Cycle (June 1, 2010 grant application deadline), all applications will be submitted online. Full instructions for application preparation and submission are available on our WebGrants site.

Review and Award Process

• The Commission has a two-step review process that takes up to eight weeks:
  • The Commission's Executive Committee evaluates applications.
  • Commission members, using recommendations of the Executive Committee, ultimately make grant award decisions.
• Announcement of grant award decisions is made by phone or email within a week of the Commission’s grant review meeting and grant award materials will be sent to applicants shortly thereafter.
• Grant terms are documented in a legal contract of agreement signed by a representative of Dane County and the grant recipient.
• If awarded a grant, a Certificate of Insurance providing proof of a comprehensive general liability insurance policy naming the County as an additional insured is required.

Questions?

Please contact us!

Technical Assistance and Other Questions

Michelle Goldade, Administrative Support: goldade@co.dane.wi.us 608-266-4296

Policy, Guidelines, and Grant Writing Guidance

Karen Crossley, Director: crossley@co.dane.wi.us 608-266-5915

Commission Staff does not participate in the Commission’s grant award decision making.