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The Grant Cycle

Grant Decisions

Following the grant cycle voting meeting, LCCs must notify denied applicants of their decisions. The process works in this order:

  1. Denial letters are automatically sent through the grants management system.
  2. Councils wait a 15-day reconsideration period.
  3. Councils complete their Annual Report to Mass Cultural Council.
  4. A brief approval notification is automatically sent through the grants management system, then LCCs send the full approval letter to grantees outside of the system.

Denials

Denial letters are sent through the grants management system and provide applicants with clear reasons for the council’s decision based on published state guidelines or council priorities. The letter also includes information on the reconsideration process.

Because these are public dollars, denied applicants are entitled to request reconsideration if they believe the LCC did not follow published state guidelines and/or council priorities.

Reconsideration Period

After sending out denial letters, LCCs must allow for a 15-day reconsideration period before notifying approved applicants. This waiting period is necessary because a request for reconsideration can result in a change in the amount of funding approved grants receive.

An applicant may request reconsideration of the LCC’s decision on their application if the applicant can demonstrate that the LCC failed to follow published state guidelines and/or council priorities. Dissatisfaction with the denial of an application or with the amount of an award does not constitute grounds for reconsideration.

Reconsideration requests must be made in writing within 15 days of the notification date on the disapproval notification (postmarked date on envelope or timestamp on email). They can either be emailed or a hard copy can be mailed to Mass Cultural Council at our mailing address. The applicant should also send a copy of the request to the LCC.

The request should include:

  • The LCC’s disapproval letter to the applicant.
  • The applicant’s reason for requesting reconsideration stating how the LCC failed to follow published state guidelines or council priorities.

Mass Cultural Council will determine if the applicant has grounds for reconsideration and will notify both the applicant and LCC of its decision.

If Mass Cultural Council determines that the applicant has grounds for reconsideration, the LCC must convene a quorum of members and review the application, as if for the first time. Following all published state guidelines and council priorities, the LCC must decide whether to approve or deny the grant request and must notify the applicant of the final determination in writing, via email or hard copy. If an email disapproval notification is undeliverable, LCCs should follow up by sending a hard copy.

Approval Letters

Approval letters are sent after the 15-day reconsideration period has passed and the LCC has submitted their annual reporting to Mass Cultural Council.

LCCs send a brief approval notification through the grants management system, then send the full approval letter to grantees outside of the system. The full approval letter includes the details of their award, reimbursement forms or direct granting agreements, and W-9 forms.

Partial vs. Full Funding

Many LCCs receive an abundance of good proposals and try to fund as many as possible by awarding a portion of the original request. Although this is a reasonable way to spread limited funds, there is a danger in making the award so small that the project cannot go forward at all. This results in the LCC repeating their efforts to reallocate the unspent funds in the next cycle and can discourage those applicants from applying again. For this reason, the LCC application form specifically asks applicants to address how they will adjust the project if the LCC cannot fund the entire amount requested. Some LCCs call the applicant to discuss the feasibility of supporting the proposal with a partial award and request a modified budget.

Conditional Approvals

Conditional approvals can allow an LCC to extend the impact of its funding to focus on community needs that are otherwise not being addressed. LCCs must communicate any/all conditions to the applicant in writing and note them in the minutes for the voting meeting. The applicant has the right to refuse the condition and forfeit the grant.

Approval Package Contents

Approval Letter

You can modify our approval letter template (for LCCs who follow the reimbursement process) to suit your LCC’s needs. Some LCCs include a calendar of all grantee events or other supplemental material.

Be sure to include any conditions on the approval and the date by which the LCC expects the project to happen.

Credit and Publicity Requirements

Grantees must acknowledge the financial support of the specific Local Cultural Council who granted them funds and Mass Cultural Council. Grant recipients are vital partners in raising the visibility of the role these funds play in cultural organizations, audiences, and communities across the Commonwealth. For more information about acknowledgement requirements for grantees, please review the credit and publicity kit. There’s also a grantee Credit & Publicity enclosure template.

Be sure to include any additional publicity requirements your LCC has.

Forms – Reimbursement & Direct Grants

Grant recipients do not automatically receive payment if an LCC approves their grant request. The LCC Program is reimbursement-based; recipients need to spend the money and then be reimbursed from LCC funds. Beginning once the LCC completes their reporting to Mass Cultural Council (November – January) and continuing throughout the year, grant recipients can submit their reimbursement requests. To avoid complications, LCCs should specify exactly what kind of documentation a grantee needs to provide to be reimbursed in the approval letter. LCCs should also check with their town/city to see if they have specific requirements.

Be sure to include documentation needed to receive payment and any additional forms the municipality may require.

Documents of note:

or for Direct Grants

Procedure for Requesting Grant Modifications and/or Extensions

If your LCC has specific protocols for grant modification/extension requests, these policies must be posted on your council profile by September 1. Clearly state your policies so applicants can understand their options.

Be sure to include the procedure for requesting a project extension or modification.

Project Modifications

When a modification request is made to an LCC, they must convene a quorum of LCC members and vote. Project modifications must be requested in writing, via email or hard copy. The modification should not significantly alter the original purpose of the approved application. The LCC must inform the applicant of their decision in writing (hard copy or email) and ensure that the vote is reflected in the meeting minutes.

Project Extensions

Grant recipients have one year from the date of their approval letter to request  reimbursement. LCCs can, at their discretion, approve reasonable extensions for projects. An extension should be requested in writing, via email or hard copy. The LCC must convene a quorum of members to discuss and vote on the request. The LCC must inform the applicant of their decision in writing (hard copy or email) and ensure that the vote is reflected in the meeting minutes.

Mailing and Printing Costs

Costs incurred for printing and mailing throughout the grant cycle can be reimbursed as administrative expenses; LCC members can submit a reimbursement form to the town accountant with proof of expenditures. Each municipality may have additional requirements.

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