Wayland Cultural Council

Amount Available for Granting in FY 2013

$4,375

Applications for field trips are not accepted. (Formerly known as PASS applications.)

LCC Program Guidelines (PDF)

The postmark deadline for applications is October 15

Funding Priorities

See above

Local Guidelines

CALL FOR GRANT PROPOSALS

In partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), the Wayland Cultural Council (WCC) annually awards funds to qualified individuals and organizations to support cultural projects that benefit the community. The Council is committed to funding a diverse cross-section of cultural events. Applications are solicited annually and evaluated on a competitive basis in the fall. WCC grant awards typically range between $200 and $400. With limited funds, grant requests should not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the proposed project or activity. New or previously unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with a council member before the October 15 deadline. Council members are listed at the end of this document.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants can be: a) organizations in the arts, humanities or interpretive sciences; b) individuals including artists, science educators, historians or other humanists, parents, community members, etc.; c) community organizations including, but not limited to, schools, social service organizations, civic groups, churches, neighborhood centers, youth, senior and family associations, etc.; Incorporated organizations must be nonprofit; unincorporated associations must have a nonprofit purpose. Individual applicants are required to be Massachusetts residents for at least one year; organizations must be organized and operating in the state for at least one year. Field Trip grants are not currently funded by the WCC.

DEADLINE

Completed applications must be received or postmarked by October 15. Send application and support materials to the address below.

CRITERIA

Because applications always outnumber the available funding, the WCC must carefully prioritize its selection according to specific criteria. Preference is given to proposals meeting these criteria:

• All applications must be typed, or filled out online and printed for submission. Online forms are available at http://massculturalcouncil.org
• Outstanding artistic, humanistic or scientific quality.
• Value to the Wayland community, particularly to an underserved segment of the public.
• Quality of planning and the track record of the applicant.
• Applications reflecting a broad and diverse array of activities. Priority will be given to cultural opportunities that are rare or unusual in the Wayland area.
• Wayland-based applicants are given preference over those from out of town.
• Funded activities must be held in physically accessible spaces in or near Wayland. The space and date must be arranged by the applicant.
• All proposals must include a letter of support from the venue.
• Musical performance proposals from performers not previously seen in Wayland must include an audio tape demonstrating the performers' skill.
• New projects are given priority over recurring events. WCC funds should be considered “seed money” to help start up new projects, rather than fund repeating events. Repeat proposals should demonstrate progress toward independence from WCC funding.
• Proposals should include other sources of support to show the project is not dependent solely on Council funding.
• Proposals should include a contingency plan in case the project is funded at a lower level than requested.

Capital expenses (equipment, supplies, or building expenses) are eligible for partial funding by the WCC, but need to meet specific additional requirements such as long-term public benefit and proof that at least 2/3 of the funding will come from other sources than the WCC. Capital expense applicants should contact the WCC prior to the October 15 deadline for additional requirements.

Proposals from schools and libraries must not request support for activities that should be or have been part of the municipal budget (i.e. teacher salaries, classroom supplies, school-sponsored clubs and organizations, library books/videos, etc.). Enrichment projects utilizing outside professionals are allowed.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND TIMELINE

All applicants must submit their proposal on an official application form by October 15. Forms are available at the Library and the Town Building. The application form can also be completed online and printed out for submission to the council. Go to www.massculturalcouncil.org (“Local Cultural Council Program”). When filling out the application, use the space provided to answer questions. One additional 8 1/2" x 11" page to complete questions is allowed. Completed applications must be received at the Town Building by October 15 (valid postmark is acceptable). The address is listed below.

Applicants meeting the WCC’s stated criteria (listed above) will be invited for an interview with the Council. Notification of approval or disapproval is made by the end of the year. Final approval and award amounts are announced by January 15, Reimbursements may begin at this time. Funds must be collected within a year of the award notification.

SUPPORT MATERIALS

Applicants should submit any necessary supporting materials. These may include resume, publicity, critical reviews, slides, audio tapes, videos, photos, or printed materials. Letters of support/commitment from sponsoring organizations are strongly encouraged. If an applicant will be working with another person or organization, or plans to conduct the project in a specific facility, a letter of agreement from that individual/organization/facility must be submitted with the application.

FUNDING

Payments are made on a reimbursement basis only. Reimbursement generally takes 8 to 10 weeks. Payment requests must be completed within a year of the award notification. Progress or interim payments may be requested for completed portions of the project. Final reimbursement will not be made until the project is completed. Requests for extensions beyond the grant period will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted in writing no later than one year from the date of the award notification.

CONDITIONS OF THE AWARD

All grants are subject to the following conditions. Failure to comply may jeopardize full payment of the grant award:

• A final narrative report and expense documents must be submitted within 60 days of project completion;
• The Wayland Cultural Council must be notified no later than two weeks prior to the commencement of funded projects;
• In all published materials and announcements regarding the activities supported by WCC funds, the sponsoring group or individual must acknowledge this support with a written and/or verbal credit statement or by using the MCC logo. The credit statement is "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Wayland Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency." The logo is available at the MCC's web site: www.massculturalcouncil.org or from the MCC upon request on a camera-ready slick sheet or on diskette (Mac or PC). Credit is required by the MCC and failure to comply may jeopardize future funding.

Location to Return Completed Applications:
Wayland Cultural Council
Town Building
41 Cochituate Road
Wayland, MA 01778