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General Operating Support: Grant Levels

Program Levels, Requirements and How To Apply

All grant awards are based on the organizational operating income and must be matched with cash (at least 1:1) by your organization.  Organizations which have received GOS funding at any level in the past two years (FY05 and FY06) now are in a staggered two-year cycle - Click here to see what information your organization must submit this year.

New applicants at any level must submit a full application. During alternate years GOS grantees will keep the same funding priority received during the last panel review. Actual grant awards may fluctuate from one year to the next depending on available Commission funds.

  • New applicants at any level are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to submit a letter of intent to apply, postmarked by Feb 23, 2006.
  • Applicants changing levels are REQUIRED to submit a letter of intent, postmarked by Feb 23, 2006.

General Operating Support is available to meet the needs of small, mid-sized and large organizations throughout the state, as well as Local Arts Agencies and Tribal Museums. The levels of support available are: I, II, III, Basic/Locals Aid, Tribal Museums and Arizona ArtShare Working Capital Reserves Program.

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GOS Level I

Designed to assist arts organizations with annual operating budgets of around $50,000. Grants may be used for any administrative and/or artistic expenses. Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) arts organization/OR apply via a fiscal sponsor.
  • At least one-year track record of ongoing arts programming.
  • Submit a complete application, (include Three-Year Budget, but not Project Budget) and Cultural Diversity Plan.
  • Beginning this year, all GOS organizations which have received GOS funding the past two consecutive years will be an a two-year cycle. Click here to find out which application type you must submit this year. Those required to submit Alternate Year materials this year will, through EGOR, complete an Organization Profile, and submit their cultural diversity plan and update, board information and chart, three-year budget, and one paragraph reporting on any staff or programmatic changes since last year’s application and their impact on the organization.
  • Supplemental slides, video or documentation to assist panelists in evaluating the artistic quality of programs. www.azarts.gov/guide/supplementary_materials.htm
  • Maximum Grant Amount: Up to 10% of adjusted operating revenue for 2005-2006.

GOS Level II

Designed for arts organizations – Local Arts Councils and Commissions, Tribal Museums, Producing Organizations, Presenting Organizations and Arts Service Organizations – that have or intend to employ a professional fulltime manager. GOSII organizations must employ a full-time [Glossary link] Managing Director in order to receive funds, and grant amounts are based on a percentage of the Managing Director’s salary. However, in order to be responsive to the needs of a variety of organizations, GOSII funds may now be expended on any operating expense(s) during the grant period. GOSII grantees will be required to submit BOTH a signed contract/employment agreement between the organization and the Managing Director AND a copy of the most recently-completed fiscal year’s financial statements in order to receive funds. Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) arts organization/OR a unit of city, county or tribal government.
  • Minimum of two years of fiscal and administrative activity.
  • Organization must show a commitment to a permanent full-time manager/staff position.
  • Submit a complete application, job description and Cultural Diversity Plan.
  • Beginning this year, all GOS organizations which have received GOS funding the past two consecutive years will be an a two-year cycle. Click here to find out which application type you must submit this year.  Those required to submit Alternate Year materials this year will, through EGOR, complete an Organization Profile, and submit their cultural diversity plan and update, board information and chart, three-year budget, and one paragraph reporting on any staff or programmatic changes since last year’s application and their impact on the organization.
  • Supplemental slides, video or documentation to assist panelists in evaluating the artistic quality of programs. www.azarts.gov/guide/supplementary_materials.htm
  • Maximum Grant Amount: Up to 50% of managing director's salary, including employee-related expenses (actual costs of insurance, vacation, paid leave)
    • Jobshare applications: Submit a one-page attachment describing why a jobshare serves the organization in an equal or better manner than one full-time employee; delineating the manner in which the job will be shared (schedule, responsibilities, etc.); and documenting the organization's commitment to appropriate salary and benefits for both employees.
    • Consortium applications: Submit a one-page attachment describing why a shared position serves the participating organizations; clearly delineating the employee's roles, responsibilities and schedule for each participating organization, and documenting each organization's commitment to appropriate salary and benefits for the employee. This attachment must be signed by each participating consortium member.

Tribal Museums Program

Tribal Museums Program – There is no longer a specific Tribal Museums designation under GOSII. Tribal Museums may apply for general operating support in any category (GOSI, II or III) depending on what is most appropriate; see the section above for details.

GOS Level III

Designed to support mid-sized arts organizations via a multi-year grant. New applicants will be evaluated by a management/program audit prior to entry into the GOS Level III program. In a year where an organization is undergoing dramatic artistic, programmatic or management change, the organization may be asked to submit a complete application, even when it is a year when they would not otherwise be expected to submit a complete application. Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) arts organization.
  • Must have had a full-time professional managing director for at least two years prior to application.
  • Submit a current written strategic plan in 8 1/2" x 11" format, approved by the organization’s Board of Directors, which will be reviewed by the panel.
  • Beginning this year, all GOS organizations which have received GOS funding the past two consecutive years will be an a two-year cycle. Click here to find out which application type you must submit this year.  Those required to submit Alternate Year materials this year will, through EGOR, complete an Organization Profile, and submit their cultural diversity plan and update, board information and chart, three-year budget, and one paragraph reporting on any staff or programmatic changes since last year’s application and their impact on the organization.
  • Supplemental slides, video or documentation to assist panelists in evaluating the artistic quality of programs is required with Full Applications. www.azarts.gov/guide/supplementary_materials.htm
  • Applicants are eligible to receive up to 10% of the organization’s 2005-2006 adjusted operating income, including net rather than gross proceeds from sales such as raffles, concessions, gift shop and food services. All Level III grantees with adjusted operating budgets of $300,000 and higher and/or are participants in the Arizona ArtShare Working Capital Reserves Program, must provide an audited financial statement in order to receive payment of funds.
  • GOS III organizations must have a minimum of 10% earned income; and 10% contributed income—that is, no more than 90% of either earned or contributed. By requiring this threshold, the Commission ensures that your organization delivers value to your community, as demonstrated by individual and organizational contributions. As well, we recognize that a diversity of funding sources is one marker of a healthy nonprofit organization, protecting it from a rapid change in one particular funding source. GOSIII recipients will be notified after the review of financial statements if they do not comply and, in this initial year of the policy, may be provided a period of one year or more to develop strategies and increase their earned or contributed income as required. The Commission also provides support, such as through UP/Understanding Participation [www.azarts.org/up] projects, for organizations to better understand the motivations and barriers for individuals to donate to your organization, or pay for your services, so that you can more effectively strategize your future efforts.
  • Maximum Grant Amount: Up to 10% of audited adjusted operating revenue for 2005-2006.

Basic/Locals Aid

Designed to provide general operating support to Arizona’s large arts organizations and large local arts agencies with a total adjusted operating income in excess of $500,000. Requirements:

  • New applicants will be evaluated by a management and program audit prior to entry into the program.
  • In addition, to be eligible to enter the Basic Aid category, a nonprofit organization must be selected for and complete the multi-year stabilization training program for mid-sized arts organizations, as part of Arizona ArtShare.
  • Organizations must demonstrate artistic and management stability prior to participation in Basic/Locals Aid.
  • 501(c)(3) arts organization or a unit of city government with at least a five-year track record and have full-time paid management and artistic staff.
  • Organization must serve a broad audience and public.
  • At least 25% of adjusted revenues must be earned income (except local arts agencies).
  • At least 25% of adjusted revenues must be contributed income, exclusive of restricted gifts (except local arts agencies).
  • For FY2007, Alternate Year Applications must be submitted online.
  • All applicants must be engaged in long-term planning, including mission statement and strategic plan (approved by the board) for next 3-5 year period. NOTE: This plan needs to be current as of the application.
  • All applicants must have an education plan, approved by the Board, which includes information on how the organization is responding to the Arizona Arts Standards. Plans must be submitted with Full Year Applications (not for FY07). For more information/assistance regarding responding to the Arizona Arts Standards, contact Alison Marshall at (602) 229-8223 or email amarshall@azarts.gov. Applicants must show financial resources to support that plan, including a full-time staff person designated to develop and implement a K-12 education program. (If the plan is not acceptable, the Arts Commission may designate up to 25% of the Basic Aid grant be used solely for arts education.)
  • Maximum Grant Amount: Up to 5% of average of three years audited adjusted operating income (2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006). Award basis includes net income from sales such as raffles, concessions, gift shop and food services and, for Basic Aid organizations, excludes all government income. The Arts Commission will notify Basic and Locals Aid organizations that do not maintain a commitment to eligibility criteria. The organization will have three years to correct areas of concern. If those areas are not corrected, the organization will not be eligible for Basic or Locals Aid funding.
  • If you are also submitting a Project Grant Application submit "Special or Unusual Statement" with your Project Grant.

Support for Local Arts Agencies

To further the growth of Local Arts Agencies (such as arts councils and arts commissions) at their particular levels of development, the Commission encourages locals to apply for General Operating Grant support at one of the four levels of support currently available for non-profit arts organizations: I, II, III and Locals Aid. The following list shows the relationship between the development of the Local Arts Agency and the appropriate program level.

GOS Level I Local Arts Agencies

  • Be designated as the Local Arts Agency for your city/county/region.
  • Be volunteer-run, or part-time staff.
  • Submit letter from city/county authorizing agency in support of this grant.
  • ACA funds may not be used for regranting

GOS Level II Local Arts Agencies

  • Be designated as the Local Arts Agency for your city/county/region.
  • Ongoing community service and program development.
  • City/Organization must show commitment to a permanent full-time manager/staff position.
  • ACA funds may not be used for regranting

GOS Level III Local Arts Agencies

  • Be designated as the Local Arts Agency for your city/county/region.
  • Active arts presenter and/or producer and/or arts service provider.
  • Must have had a full-time professional manager for at least two years prior to application.
  • ACA funds may not be used for regranting
  • Special and Unusual

Locals Aid

  • Be designated as the Local Arts Agency for your city/county/region.
  • Large Local Arts Agency with full-time, paid management and artistic staff, at least a five year track record and total adjusted operating income in excess of $500,000.
  • ACA funds may not be used for regranting
  • Special and Unusual

For more information on grants and services for local arts agencies, contact Mitch Menchaca at (602) 229-8229 or mmenchaca@azarts.gov for Locals Aid, Robert C. Booker, at (602) 255-5882 or email rbooker@azarts.gov.

Arizona ArtShare Working Capital Reserves Program

Working Capital Reserves Program Grants result from the interest income from Arizona ArtShare, the state’s arts endowment. Eligibility is limited to those Phase I organizations that have retained Working Capital Reserves from the original Arizona Arts Stabilization program, and Phase II arts organizations that have completed training with National Arts Strategies. The Commission’s guidelines for applying for Working Capital Reserves Program Grants define eligibility as: mid-sized arts organizations that have successfully completed the National Arts Strategies training program, demonstrate the retention of previously-received Arizona ArtShare Working Capital Reserves Program Grants, and maintain a panel rating of medium or above; and Basic Aid applicants that successfully demonstrate the existence of working capital at the level created by the Arizona Arts Stabilization Committee plus previously-received Arizona ArtShare Working Capital Reserves Program Grants. Funds will be released after compliance with special conditions and submission of the annual audit.

Organizations must submit a request for a Working Capital Reserves Program Grant through EGOR. Working Capital Reserves Program Grants do not count toward an organization’s maximum of three applications. In addition to your GOSIII or GOS Basic/Locals Aid application, "Start" an additional GOS application, select "Working Capital/Phase I & II" under Project Type. Follow the directions and "Submit" by March 23, 2006.

Updated 01/30/06