Frequently Asked Questions
For questions about a Local Cultural Council grant that
you have already received, contact the LCC who awarded the grant.
What is the Local Cultural Council Program?
The Local Cultural Council Program, administered at the state level by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, provides state funds to cities and towns to regrant at a local level. Municipally-appointed volunteers meet and decide how to distribute the money to projects in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. While the majority of towns and cities have their own local cultural councils, there are several regional councils made up of members from two or more communities. Every area of Massachusetts is directly served by an LCC.
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Is the LCC application process competitive?
The LCC application process can be quite competitive. Because of the large number of requests and the limited funds available for regranting, many LCCs receive far more applications than they can fully or even partially fund. Applicants should be prepared for the possibility of not receiving full funding and plan on securing additional financial resources. Documenting other resources in your application budget will help you compete more successfully.
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How do I get an application form?
Both the LCC application form (Word and PDF)
and PASS application(word and PDF) form are available on-line. Forms are also available locally from the chair of
your community's LCC. In some communities, these forms may be picked up
at the local town or city hall, public library or the senior center.
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How do I apply?
While all LCCs use the same basic application forms, some may require additional information from their applicants. It's a good idea to speak with the chair of the LCC in the towns where you plan to apply. The chair can provide information about where applications must be sent and explain any local requirements (for example, multiple copies of applications or interviews with applicants). It's up to the applicant to research each LCC before sending an application. Applications must be postmarked but the October deadline. Apply to this Program.
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Does each LCC have different funding priorities?
Local criteria and funding priorities vary by town. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact each LCC to inquire about any relevant local guidelines before sending in an application. LCCs have a fair amount of autonomy and can determine particular funding guidelines or priorities based on the specific cultural needs of their community as assessed through a community input process. While all LCC’s are encouraged to develop local guidelines, LCCs receiving $20,000 or more from the MCC are required to do so. It is the applicant's responsibility to investigate how the application process may vary from town to town.
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Can I apply to more than one LCC?
An applicant may apply to any number of LCCs if they feel their project provides public benefit to each community. If you do apply to more than one LCC for the same project, it is important that you indicate the amount you requested from the other LCC on the appropriate budget line. Some LCCs have guidelines regarding requests from applicants from other communities. Applicants should find out about any local guidelines before applying.
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What are the different types of applications
LCCs review?
There are two kinds of applications that local cultural councils review from applicants. Standard LCC applications, which can cover a broad range of cultural activities, and PASS applications, which are used to request money for K-12 students' field trips to cultural performances.
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What is the average LCC grant amount?
Average grants tend to be modest ($200-$500). The MCC provides an annual allocation to each local or regional cultural council. The amount of regranting funds available in a community is determined using the state local aid formula and depends on the size (population) and tax-base of the municipality. Local Cultural Council allocations by town.
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How do I complete the budget information for my LCC application?
An incomplete or poorly prepared budget might reflect poor project planning and makes it difficult for the LCC to properly evaluate your grant. For tips on how to complete your budget accurately, please review the sample LCC budget form and glossary (PDF). Always make sure that your Total Project Expenses and your Total Project Revenue are equal.
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How do I find out if I received a
grant?
Disapproved applicants are notified first to allow for the reconsideration process. Approved applicants generally receive letters from LCCs in December or January.
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What is reconsideration?
An applicant whose request was not approved for funding by an LCC may request that the council review the application again if the applicant can demonstrate that the LCC failed to follow published local or state review procedures. Reconsideration requests must be made in writing and must be sent to the LCC within 15 days of the postmarked date on the disapproval letter. Please note that only those reconsideration requests based on failure by the council to follow procedure will be granted and even if the reconsideration request is granted, the application may again be disapproved. Additionally, reconsideration requests may not be made on the basis of dissatisfaction with the amount awarded or disagreement with decisions made on the basis of artistic quality.
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When and how do I get my grant money?
The LCC Program is designed to reimburse an applicant for the award amount once the project has occurred, or the money has been spent on the project. Grantees submit a reimbursement form (PDF) and any other necessary receipts or documentation to their LCC. The LCC will then review the documentation before approving the reimbursement. The LCC sends approved requests to their city or town to process. The city or town then sends a check to the grantee. Payments can be made directly to the grantee or to a third party vendor.
Because of this necessary process in the expenditure of public funds, the time it takes to receive reimbursement varies locally. Please check with the chair or treasurer of the LCC from which you received a grant for information on local reimbursement requirements and processing time, as this process may vary from community to community.
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How do I credit my Local Cultural Council and the MCC for my LCC grant or PASS grant?
As a recipient of public funds, we ask for your assistance in acknowledging this important financial support publicly. LCC grant recipients are vital partners in raising the visibility of the role these funds play in the lives of our cultural organizations, audiences and communities. Please use the Credit & Publicity Kit to acknowledge the public funding you receive. This will help show the link between public support and the excellent work you do.
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