Eastham Cultural Council

Amount Available for Granting in FY 2013

$5,895

Applications for field trips are accepted. (Formerly known as PASS applications.)

LCC Program Guidelines (PDF)

The postmark deadline for applications is October 15

Local Guidelines

What is the Eastham Cultural Council and its purpose?

We are a group of interested residents whose purpose is to support community-based projects and activities in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences to benefit the residents of Eastham. We are appointed by the selectmen to dispense public funding allocated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. We are responsible for informing the public about the availability of public funding for cultural projects and for reviewing and approving applications. The budget of the MCC is determined annually by the state Legislature.

What are Field Trip applications?

A field trip grant provides funds for the purchase of tickets and/or transportation for cultural field trips for children (pre K-12) in public, private and parochial schools, as well as those in special needs, after-school and other youth groups. Activities, which include performances, educational tours or exhibits and museum visits, must take place outside of the school setting. Admission to the event or institution must be $12 or less. Field Trip application forms are available in the same locations as the general application form (library, town hall, senior center and school departments).

Who qualifies for funding?

Massachusetts-based individuals, artists, nonprofit community groups, cultural institutions and schools with a cultural project that has a public benefit component may apply.

How does someone apply for funding?

Applications are available at the reception desk at the town hall, at the library or from any member of the Eastham Cultural Council. Application forms are also available on line at www.massculturalcouncil.org where applicants can complete the form and print it out. The library offers access to the Internet.

When are applications due? How should they be completed?

The deadline is Oct. 15 of each calendar year and postmarks are acceptable. All applications should be typed and signed by the applicant and sent or delivered to the Town Hall . Programs must be specifically described with the names, artist fees, qualifications of the individual(s) leading the activity, letters of support from facility to be use and collaborators. Applicants must use physically accessible facilities.

What is the process for approval?

Approximately two months after the Oct. 15 deadline, the Eastham Cultural Council will inform applicants of their approval/disapproval. Approximately four months after the October deadline, the Eastham Cultural Council will inform applicants of their final approval/disapproval and will confirm funding with all applicants. Applicants have one year from the date of final approval to complete their project and apply for reimbursement. Extensions may be requested in writing but are not automatically granted.

How is payment received?

By submitting a Reimbursement Request form along with invoices, bills, a brief financial report, and copies of promotional material to the Eastham Cultural Council address listed above. Request should be within 60 days of project completion. To receive reimbursement, grantees must acknowledge the source of funding, either by using the MCC logo or the following credit line in all verbal and written promotion: "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Eastham Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency." Payment takes approximately six to eight weeks.

What criteria is used to make grant decisions?

Proposals are evaluated by several considerations, including benefit to the community (especially projects that may benefit segments traditionally underserved by cultural activities). Community benefit is the MOST important criteria for review; other review criteria include the following:

School-related proposals must be for enrichment activities and not for programs, supplies, or salaries that should be part of the school budget. Call the council for clarification about school and library requests, or about any capital expenditure requests. The Council carefully scrutinizes repeat requests; such proposals should include other sources of support to show the project is not dependent solely on Council funding.