Phoenix Flash Grants Program

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Phoenix Flash Grants Program supports arts and cultural organizations, groups, and individual artists for specific projects within underinvested areas of Phoenix.​ 

The Phoenix Flash Grants Program is currently being evaluated. The application will not open during the Community Arts ​​Grants Annual cycle. 

‭(Hidden)‬ Key Dates + Resources

​​Submit your application ​​​Register for Info Session

​Información en español​​

Pautas, instrucciones, y preguntas de la solicitud del programa Flash
Tabla de evaluación (Será utilizada por los panelistas para evaluar las solicitudes)

​Staff Contact | Contacto

​Anel E. Arriola, Grants and Programs Manager, 602-534-5084, anel.arriola@phoenix.gov

​Schedule a virtual meeting here: calendly.com/anel-arriola​​​​​​​

Guidelines and Details


Overview

The Phoenix Flash Grants category is a new, pilot short-cycle grants program that provides funds of up to $3,500 for specific projects within underinvested areas of Phoenix. The program supports artist fees/expenses, production fees, and marketing expenses for arts and culture projects that engage Phoenix residents, including but not limited to art workshops and pop-up performances.

For the next cycle, projects within Phoenix Council Districts 1, 5, and 7 will only be considered for funding.

Application submissions for the November 30 deadline should only include arts and cultural activities between January 15, 2024, and April 30, 2024.​​


Potential Future Cycles FY2024-2025

July 15, 2024 – August 15, 2024 AT 5:00 PM Arizona Time- For projects taking place between October 15, 2024, and January 30, 2025

October 15, 2024 – November 30, 2024, AT 5:00 PM Arizona Time- For projects between January 15, 2025, and April 30, 2025. 

Goals

  • Reduce the barrier to receiving grant support and bridge new applicants to the annual Community Arts Grants program and other opportunities and resources.

  • Invest in local artists, art collectives, and organizations as they expand their practices and programs in underinvested areas of the city.

Application Timelines​​

​Date​
First 2023 cycle
​July 15, 2023
​Guidelines published | Application opens
July 27, 2023
Phoenix Flash Grants Info Session​​​
July 17 - August 14, 2023
​One-on-one application consultations with staff
August 15, 2023, at 5:00 pm
​Application deadline

​Date​
Second 2023 cycle
​October 15, 2023
Application opens
See the recording from July 27, 2023
Phoenix Flash Grants Info Session​​​
Oct 15 - Nov 17, 2023
​One-on-one application consultations with staff
Nov 17, 2023 
Deadline extended: November 30, 2023at 5:00 pm
​Application​ deadline​

All sessions are held virtually via WebEx and are in Arizona Time. 

Who can apply?​

To be eligible for the Phoenix Flash Grants program, applicants must meet all the following criteria:

  • Have a connection or relationship to the area where the project is proposed to take place to ensure an authentic experience for the community​
  • Be based in the City of Phoenix AND have a City of Phoenix address OR be based in Maricopa County, producing an in-person cultural festival in Phoenix, and serve mainly Phoenix residents
  • Exist as one of the following applicant types:
    • 501(c)3 organization (arts/culture or community-based)
    • K-12 school
    • Arts and Culture LLC (with a prior income below $250,000)*
    • Arts collective* (an individual must be identified as the primary applicant)
    • Youth group*
    • Individual artist or culture worker*
*Subject to the grant being taxed as income if not applying with a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit, tax-exempt status. 

Fiscal Sponsor

Applicants who do not have 501(c)3 status are eligible to apply for a tax-exempt project grant using a fiscal sponsor. Two options for applicants having trouble finding a fiscal sponsor are TAPAZ and Fractured Atlas. Any applicant with a fiscal sponsor must submit an MOU (memorandum of understanding) at the time of application, and both parties must sign the MOU. Fiscal sponsors typically charge an administrative fee between 5% and 12% of the total grant award. The estimated fee should be included as a line item in the project budget. Applicants cannot change their fiscal sponsor after applying and ​must utilize the same fiscal sponsor through the grant period. The Phoenix Department of Arts and Culture does not accept applications submitted by fiscal agents.  Please contact us with any questions you have about fiscal sponsorship​​.​


Funding

For the PFG pilot cycle, applicants can request between $1,000 and $3,500.

Applicants supported through this grant category receive merit-based awards, which are determined by the ranking a project receives in the panel review.

The PFG program does not fund:​​

  • Projects that receive direct project funding from other POAC grants or sponsorships within the same fiscal year.
  • Any division of local, state or federal government
  • Organizations outside of the City of Phoenix not producing a cultural festival
  • Applications submitted by for-profit entities
  • Schools, including public, private and charter not applying for a grant that serves youth.
  • Colleges and universities, other City of Phoenix departments, auxiliary/affiliate organizations, and organizations without a 501(c)3 and not utilizing a fiscal sponsor
  • Religious institutions or religious group-sponsored organizations not open to participation by non-congregants
  • Religious institutions or religious group-sponsored organizations whose primary purpose is the religious socialization of individuals or whose arts programming exists as parts of religious sermons or services
  • Debt reduction
  • Re-granting, unless permission is received
  • Grant administration, overhead or processing fees taken by an umbrella/parent organization as a percentage of the total award, except for fiscal sponsors
  • Lobbying expenses
  • Expenses related to the construction of facilities
  • Food and beverage for receptions and hospitality functions
  • Fundraising projects
  • Scholarships and awards
  • Staff salaries independent from the time allocated to project delivery
  • Capital investments (equipment and supplies that outlast the duration of the project)
  • The production or commission of public art not included in the Phoenix Department ​of Arts and Culture's annual public art plan

Evaluation Criteria and Application Questions

Applications are reviewed and scored by City of Phoenix staff, and technical assistance will be offered to all applicants throughout the process. 

Overview

Evaluation Criterion (20 points)

The applicant clearly proposes project overarching details.​

Application questions:

  • Project title
  • Briefly describe the proposed project. (50 words)
  • Start and end dates (This Cycle's funded projects are taking place between October 15, 2023, and January 30, 2024)
  • Project location
  • Describe in concrete terms your connection or relationship to the area where the project is proposed to take place. (100 words).
  • Amount requested (between $1,000 and $3,500)
  • Project Activity—Tell us what type of activities you will be doing in this project (Select all that apply): Festival, Exhibitions/Presentations (visual arts, media arts, design), Performances/readings, Art instruction (classes, demonstrations, lectures, and other instruction used to teach the knowledge of and/or skills in the arts), Other (please specify) 

Community Sig​nificance

Evaluation Criteria (30 points)

The applicant identifies the primary beneficiary of the project, demonstrates an understanding of the project's meaning and importance to participants, and has a plan to ensure the project is accessible to a diverse group of participants.

Application questions:

  • Who is the audience that your project intends to engage directly? (Select all that apply): Children, Teens, Adults, Older Adults, General public, Families
  • Project intention – What you want the audience or participants to gain or experience from this project
  • What is your outreach and promotion plan? (300 words) 

Artistic and/or Cultural Value

Evaluation Criteria (30 points)
The applicant proposes a project with arts and culture as a primary experience; artists have an important role in the design and delivery of the project; support materials are evidence that the project can be completed as it's envisioned.

  • Highlight the artistic and/or cultural activities the public will be engaged in. (300 words)
  • List the artists and culture workers and describe their role and participation in the project. If you are an artist applicant and will be involved outside of planning, please include yourself and your project role. (300 words)
  • Upload project support materials (2-4 attachments and descriptions). Include past and current work samples, past flyers, brochures, etc.  

Logistics and Feasibility

Evaluation Criteria (20 points)

The applicant has outlined a clear and plausible planning timeline that defines the evaluation criteria for the project's success; the budget reflects the activities and is clear and organized.

  • Use the provided table to outline your project planning tasks and include estimated due dates.
    *These are the planning tasks and activities that happen before your event/project (300 words)
  • Attach a detailed project budget. Use the provided template​.

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