Hanover Cultural Council

Amount Available for Granting in FY 2013

$3,870

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

LCC Program Guidelines (PDF)

The postmark deadline for applications is October 15

Funding Priorities

Our goal is to serve as many residents of Hanover as possible, and to ensure that the beneficiaries of grant programs are of all ages. In order to do this our priorities will be to fund grants that have programs that take place in Hanover. If they are programs that take place outside of Hanover, we will look to see what the impact of the program is on Hanover residents.

We will also give priority to grant applicants who have already arranged a venue for their performance or program. If you need assistance in contacting local groups, schools or organizations to find a venue for your program, please contact Katie Duff -Chair, at (781) 878-0424 or aribba@aol.com.

Local Guidelines

Hanover Cultural Council
c/o Office of the Town Clerk * Town Hall
550 Hanover Street
Hanover, MA 02339

INFORMATION SHEET

What is the Hanover 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 Hanover. 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 grants?

Field Trip grants provide 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. Tickets must cost $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 Town Clerk's office at the town hall, at the library or from any member of the Hanover 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 library. 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 Hanover Cultural Council will inform applicants of their approval/disapproval. 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 Hanover 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 Hanover 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: benefit to the community (including projects that may benefit segments traditionally underserved by cultural activities); quality of the activity, evidence of planning, qualifications of the individual(s) who will lead the activity, track record of the sponsoring group, clarity of proposal. 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.