The MCACA Minigrant program is a grants-giving partnership funded by the State of Michigan through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and administered locally in each region of the state. Nonprofit organizations can receive grants of up to $4,000 for locally developed, high quality arts and cultural activities that increase community access to art and culture.
Michigan nonprofit organizations, public and private schools, cities, townships, and villages may apply. It is not necessary for an organization to have its 501(c)3 status to apply for a minigrant. It is necessary, however, for an organization to be registered as a non-profit with the State of Michigan. Special requirements apply for universities and colleges.
The deadlines and funding periods for Fiscal Year 2008 are as follows:
Round One: Deadline August 1 for projects taking place October 1 through September 30
Round Two: Deadline February 1 for projects taking place April 1 through September 30, 2008
The Arts & Industry Council provides free grant assistance workshops offering application tips, hints and how-to's in advance of each application deadline.
You may request up to $4,000, on a one-to-one (dollar-for-dollar) matching basis. “Matching funds” are cash or donations of goods and services which your organization is providing for the project. You are encouraged to include cash in your matching funds. The program is competitive and grants are typically less than $4,000. Requests for Minigrant funds may not exceed one-half of your project’s cost.
For example, if your organization requests a Minigrant of $1,500, you must match it with at least $1,500 of cash and/or in-kind (donated goods and services). Your total project cost will be at least $3,000.
An organization can submit more than one application in a given funding round, but each application must be for a distinct project and have separate sources of matching funds. An organization may not be funded in more than two rounds per fiscal year.
Funds can be used for exhibits, performances, readings, workshops, festivals, pow-wows, and other artistic and cultural activities with distinct start and end dates. Funds cannot be used for non-arts activities, capital expenses (construction, renovation, purchase of permanent equipment), cash prizes, fundraising, food and beverages, operating costs, historical re-enactments, school activities which produce academic credit, or curricular materials created as a result of project activities in schools.
Each application is reviewed and scored by a group of independent panelists according to the guidelines and criteria in your application packet. The panelists represent all five counties and come from a variety of arts backgrounds. The AIC does not have any say in which applications are funded. Minigrant funding decisions may not be appealed.
Organizations in Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties may obtain an Application form and Guidelines from the AIC or download them from our website at www.WhereIsArt.com.
Organizations in counties other than the five listed above may contact the AIC for the name of the Regranting agency in their region, or visit the Mini-Grant Regional Regranters County List on the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs web site.
Within 30 days of the project’s completion date, grant recipients must complete a MCACA Minigrant Final Report and provide samples of project materials. Before beginning the project, the AIC strongly recommends that the grant recipient review the Final Report to determine what type of information will be needed to report to the AIC. Final reports will be due 30 days following completion of the project. Any outstanding Final Report may jeopardize the grant recipient’s eligibility for all future AIC grants.