Peers Guidelines - FY13

The Cultural Investment Portfolio "Peer" category offers unrestricted funding for a wide range of quality projects in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences, with special consideration given to projects that are innovative. This category is an opportunity for organizations new to the MCC funding pool, a not fully-cultural organization, and others offering cultural programming who do not meet the requirements of Partnership or Colleagues level (or who opt out) to get into the Portfolio. Peer projects must provide public value for the diverse residents of Massachusetts. Projects might include, but are not limited to:

• projects that offer new approaches to their discipline or work, models and case studies that others could replicate;
• projects that offer innovative ways for organizations to share their work with the community at large;
• projects that enhance the capacity-building activities of organizations by including strategic planning or market research.

Eligibility Requirements
Organizations seeking Peer grants must:

• be legally recognized as 501(c)3 non-profit organization;
• have completed two full years of public cultural programming in Massachusetts;
• demonstrate public cultural program expenses of at least $10,000 cash in the most recently completed fiscal year;
• have formally stated mission statements;
• be governed by a board of directors that meets regularly to discuss policy, strategic direction, and resource development plans to ensure long-term sustainability;
• offer opportunities for diverse populations;
• commit to providing physical and communications access.

Review Criteria
This application is short, simple, and will be supplemented by panelists' visits to your website. Please BRIEFLY address in an essay the following questions:

1. Describe the quality of your project, including the participating artists, scholars, interpretive scientists, or capacity-building consultants. Why do you think it is innovative?
2. How will it add to the public value of your community? Why is your organization a fit for the Cultural Investment Portfolio? Does your organization share the vision of strengthening the cultural sector?
3. In an effort to learn more, what else would you like us to know about your organization?

Application Review Process
The Peer application consists of a one-page essay, a project budget form, and an NEA reporting form.

Peer applications will be reviewed every two years by a rigorous multidisciplinary Peer panel. Each successful Peer review results in two years' funding. The MCC board makes all final award decisions.

Panels will be composed of peer experts from Massachusetts in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences, as well as MCC program and executive staff. The panel will evaluate each organization's website(s), essay, project budget summary, and the appropriateness of organization to be included in the MCC's Cultural Investment Portfolio.

Application Timeline

Should I Apply?
The Peer process is highly competitive.The MCC can fund only a select number of grantees due to limited funds. Please read the eligibility requirements, key review criteria, application process, and program overview of the CIP carefully to determine the potential competitiveness of your application before deciding to submit.

Award Assignments
An organization may request a grant amount of $2,500 annually. Thus, Peer awards are for $5,000 over a two-year period. To ensure equity in the distribution of MCC funds statewide, adjustments to award assignments may be made at times on the basis of geographic distribution and to fulfill the MCC's commitment to reach underserved communities.

Matching Requirement
Peer grants will fund the direct expenses connected to the project. Grants must be matched in cash on a 1:1 basis. That is, for every MCC dollar granted, the applicant must raise $1.00.

CIP Peers Becoming Colleagues or Partners
Peer grants are intended as the gateway into the Cultural Investment Portfolio. Moving from the Peer to the Colleague or Partner category requires one of the following: three successful Peer reviews (a total of six years of funding) or three of four successful Peer reviews within eight years. There is a possibility for movement between categories as funding allows.

Legal and Other Requirements

ACCESS POLICY
In accordance with state law, the MCC recognizes the importance of diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of its programs and activities. The MCC is committed to access, not only as a matter of state and federal law, but also as a policy designed to encourage the participation of all segments of the Commonwealth’s populations in MCC-funded programs. The MCC also considers low-income communities, rural populations, and citizens over 65 years old as underserved populations that should be proactively included in programs.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that persons with disabilities have access to public programs or services on an equal basis with the rest of the general public. Furthermore, federal law mandates that any programs or service that receives federal or state funding must be accessible to persons with disabilities. Therefore, all events and programs funded by the MCC must be accessible to persons with disabilities, including the facility or event location as well as the content of the program.

RECONSIDERATION POLICY
An applicant may request reconsideration of an MCC decision if the applicant can demonstrate that the MCC application process was not followed. Dissatisfaction with the denial of an award does not constitute grounds for reconsideration. A written request must be sent to the MCC's Executive Director within 30 days of the date of notification of the decision. Such requests will be reviewed by the MCC Grants Committee and the Board.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FUNDING
Grant recipients are required to credit the Massachusetts Cultural Council in all print, audio, video and internet materials, and all publicity materials (such as press releases, brochures, posters, advertisements and web sites). Detailed information is available online.

Reporting Requirements and Grant Cancellations
Peer grantees are expected to attend one cultural advocacy event annually. Grantees are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the Cultural Data Project.

Be aware that the MCC has the right to withhold, reduce, or cancel grants if a grantee:

• Fails to comply with the terms of the grant contract
• Does not notify the MCC of significant changes in the project and/or the organization involved
• Is unable to raise the required match
• Demonstrates inadequate financial oversight
• Does not properly credit MCC support
• Misses deadline for final report
• Fails to attend - and subsequently report on - one cultural advocacy event annually

Application Process

All items are required for an application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will affect the outcome of an application. Email and faxed materials are not acceptable.

Green, Paperless and Fast-Track Online Application Process
Please note we have an online application process. We are committed to and have designed a green and paperless process. The MCC will no longer accept either paper applications or support materials that are mailed or hand-delivered.

1. Review these guidelines and the CIP overview to ensure you understand the Cultural Investment Portfolio's mission.

2. Contact Peer Program Officer, Cheryl Balukonis, to confirm eligibility and to discuss any questions you may have about the program.

3. If you decide to proceed, create an organizational profile to be able to access the online application once it is available on Monday, April 2. 2012.
   (Please note: Usernames/Passwords used for Adams, Cultural Facilities Fund and/or previous Peers applications can all be used..)

4. Click the "final submission" button of the online application by the deadline – Friday, May 25, 2012. The electronic component of your application will then be automatically received by the MCC.
   
   As part of the application, applicants must write an essay up to one page demonstrating why your project and organization meet the criteria for excellence and public value as outlined in the review criteria. In addition, discuss why your organization should be included in the MCC's Cultural Investment Portfolio.

Address questions to Cheryl Balukonis, Senior Peer Program Officer.

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