Criteria & Eligibility Requirements
Local Cultural Councils may make grants for projects, operating support, capital expenditures, ticket subsidy programs, fellowships and/or artist residencies. Each LCC awards money based on individual community cultural needs that are assessed and set by council members through a community input process. Applicants should contact each LCC directly to inquire about their local guidelines before submitting an application to that council.
Key aspects of eligibility requirements for standard LCC grants and criteria for funding are discussed below. A more complete discussion can be found in the LCC Program Guidelines (PDF).
Criteria for Funding
1. Arts, Humanities, and Interpretive Sciences
Local Cultural Council funds may only be used to support programs in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences in Massachusetts. This definition includes the study, pursuit, performance, exhibition and appreciation of cultural activities in the broadest sense.
2. Public Benefit
Local council funds must be used to support activities that contribute to the cultural vitality of the community as a whole, rather than benefiting any private individual or group. However, this does not mean that a large crowd of people needs to participate in order to satisfy the public benefit requirement. For example, an artist working with a small group of teens is a valid public benefit. Whenever possible, activities funded by local cultural councils should be available to the general public by exhibit, performance, demonstration, reading, or other means.
3. No Substitution
Local Cultural Council funds must not substitute for or replace other public funding of programs in the arts, humanities or interpretive sciences. Specifically, this applies to proposals from public institutions, such as schools and libraries, which are already, or should be, an integral part of a community's budget. Any item or activity that is generally considered the funding responsibility of the city or town will not be approved, even if funding did not previously exist for that item or activity.
For example, expenses related to classroom or extra-curricular activities are not eligible for funding (e.g., school plays, musicals, bands, newspapers, art supplies, library books or audiovisual materials, or salaries for teachers or librarians). Schools and libraries may only request funding for cultural enrichment activities (field trips, artist-in-residency programs, lectures, performances, etc.) that are led by outside artists, humanists, or interpretive scientists. The cultural professional cannot be a current employee of the school system.
4. Non-Dependency
Local Cultural Council funds are not intended to be used as the sole source of funding for projects of a continuing nature. Local councils are encouraged to formulate policies regarding matching funding from other sources. In the first year of a particular program, for example, an LCC may elect to give a large grant. Over time, however, the percentage of the project budget coming from an LCC should decrease.
5. Non-Discrimination
In accordance with state law, Local Cultural Councils may not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, gender, religion, creed, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or age, nor may they fund projects that discriminate on the basis of these attributes. Additionally, all Local Cultural Councils and their applicants must adhere to the MCC's statement on accessibility of cultural programs to underserved populations, as stated on pages 10 and 11 of the LCC Program Guidelines.
Additional Criteria
In addition to the five rules described above, the following criteria are considered in assessing applications:
- Potential to promote excellence in programming and service to the community in the arts, humanities or interpretive sciences
- Community support and involvement
- Evidence of track record and dedication of the applicant
- Ability to address the diverse cultural needs of a community's underserved populations or support diverse forms of cultural activities
- Financial need
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must reside in Massachusetts and should have been engaged in the kind of activity for which funds are requested for at least one year. The following is a list of applicants that are eligible to apply for LCC funds:
Individuals
Individual applicants must show that a public benefit results from the project for which they are applying. Although LCC funds cannot be used to support activities that benefit only the individual applicant, a public presentation of an individual’s work may provide the needed public benefit.
Private nonprofit organizations that have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Unincorporated associations that can establish a nonprofit objective
Such as groups of individuals coming together with a common purpose (e.g., local community band, theater group) which do not have nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
Schools, libraries or other public agencies
Religious organizations
Religious organizations or groups with a religious affiliation are eligible to apply for funding of cultural programming that is available to the general public and does not have the effect of advancing religion, or substantially benefit religious organizations or schools.
The Local Cultural Council itself
Restrictions
Refreshments
Local council funds may not be used to purchase food.
Scholarship
Although individual students are not eligible to apply for scholarships, an organization may sponsor a scholarship provided it shows evidence of an open and fair review and award process. The applicant organization must also ensure a public benefit component in which the award recipient "gives back" to the community in the form of a lecture, master class, exhibit, performance, etc.
Capital expenditures
LCCs can grant funds for capital expenses but they need to make sure that requests for capital expenditures meet a number of additional requirements. A capital expense is defined as: items that have a life expectancy of more than three years and a monetary value of more than $500. Examples include equipment, such as lighting or sound equipment, new construction or the renovation of a cultural facility.
Capital expenditure requests to an LCC must comply with the following circumstances:
a) Grants should be for a one-time or special need and should be clearly justified by some longer-term public benefit.
b) Applicants must demonstrate a 2:1 match (the LCC can only fund one-third of the total cost). The match may be comprised of any combination of cash and/or donated goods or services. The match must be documented on the application budget.
d) Schools, libraries and religious institutions or organizations are ineligible to apply for capital expenditures.
