A+CCESS II Overview
Purpose
To provide general operating support to organizations that are vital to the artistic and cultural development of Phoenix, as evidenced by the size, scope, and maturity of artistic product. The A+CCESS grants aim to:
- sustain a community of organizations that are responsibly governed, well-managed and that provide a large and diverse number of opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy exhibits, performances, and other arts and cultural activities ;
- enrich arts and cultural literacy among residents of all ages through education and outreach programs, and opportunities for personal artistic expression and participation; and
- encourage broad-based, community-wide participation in arts and cultural activities resulting from a diversity of programming that is accessible to all residents.
Full Eligibility
To qualify for funding, an applicant organization must meet the following criteria:
- At the time of application, it must be a registered non-profit arts or cultural organization with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. It must have brick and mortar administrative offices in the city of Phoenix that 1) are staffed and 2) house community outreach and/or education operations
- Documentation of this status must accompany the application
- The organization must be in good standing concerning all contract agreements with the City of Phoenix
- It must have been in existence and actively producing programs in the city of Phoenix for a minimum of three years
- It must have a minimum prior year income of $250,000 to $2,499,999 (i.e., total of earned income from Phoenix sources only and contributed income from all sources)
- It must employ a paid professional full-time manager who is responsible for the business management of the organization and receives a full-time salary
- It must provide community outreach and/or education programs within the city of Phoenix
- It must submit a Reviewed Financial Statement from the last completed fiscal year
Not Eligible to Apply: Festival Organizations (and organizations that produce a single annual event), Schools, Community-Based Organizations, Non-Phoenix Based Arts and Cultural Organizations, Rental Facilities, Local Arts Agencies, Colleges and Universities, City Departments, Arts Service Organizations, Organizations without a 501(c)3
NOTE: The City of Phoenix cannot legally fund applications from organizations incorporated for religious purposes or organizations affiliated with religious organizations.
DataArts Participation
Applying in this category requires that the applicant participate in the DataArts (formerly Cultural Data Project) which involves creating a profile, entering fiscal year data, and printing a report required as part of this application. The initial time and effort involved in DataArts is substantial and must be completed PRIOR to applying for General Operating Support.
Award Amount
Applicants do NOT make specific funding requests. Organizations supported through this grant category receive merit-based awards, which are determined by the ranking an organization receives in the panel review. A+CCESS II grantees are typically awarded between $7,000 and $18,000.
NOTE: Due to limited availability of funds, new organizations admitted to the General Operating Support grant category may initially receive partial awards.
Evaluation Criteria
Full Applications are evaluated and ranked by panelists using the following criteria:
Public Value (40% of Score)
- Audience served and efforts to broaden, deepen, and diversify participation in programs
- Quality of Education and Community programs and partnerships
- Organization's commitment to inclusive and equitable strategies and policies
- Strength of efforts and strategies to measure impact of programs
Artistic/Cultural Value (30% of Score)
- Organization's contribution to the vitality and diversity of Phoenix's arts and cultural environment
- Commitment to new works and works that contribute to the advancement of the art form
- Commitment to hiring/featuring Phoenix artists and culture workers
- Quality of support materials
Financial and Administration (30% of Score)
- Organizational budget
- Strategy for eliminating or reducing debt
- Organization's short- and long-term planning process
- Board of Directors' affiliations and committee structure
- Current and actionable Strategic Plan
