Minimum Requirements for Applicants
Applicants must be one of the following

o An incorporated, tax exempt, 501(c) arts or non-arts organization, OR
o An Incorporated (non-501(c) organization but is registered as a Non-Profit with the Texas Secretary of State Office as evidenced by the Certificate of Formation) arts or non-arts group
o An Unincorporated arts or non-arts group
o An individual artist
Individuals, (un)incorporated groups may choose to apply with a fiscal sponsor but it is NOT required.
- Organizations must be based or individual artists must reside in Austin or its Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) for a MINIMUM of one year prior to the application due date;

- A budget history of ongoing artistic/cultural programs for a MINIMUM of one year prior to the application due date;
- The proposed activity MUST be an event advertised to the general public and occur within and for the benefit of the residents, visitors and tourists of Austin and/or its Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
- MUST have produced artistic work in Austin, within your artistic expertise, and with a budget history of for a minimum of one (1) year prior to the application deadline
- MUST not have received Community Initiative funding more than a total of five times consecutively or not.
Minimum Requirements for FISCAL SPONSORS
Fiscal Sponsors must
• Be a 501(c) organization located in Austin or its Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ),
• Have a PAID Executive Director,
• have an active volunteer Board of Directors that meets at least three times a year,
• Been in existence for:
o at least one (1) year and Have at least a $50,000 annual operating budget as evidenced by the most recently completed IRS Form 990, OR
o at least five (5) years and have at least a $35,000 annual operating budget as evidenced by the most recently completed IRS Form 990
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
Artists and organizations proposing to do public art projects, which are defined as permanent or temporary visual art installations in locations that are visible and accessible to the public, must obtain permission from the property owner prior to submitting a Community Initiatives application.
Privately Owned property – If a private project (or a public project other than the City of Austin) owns the property, the applicant must obtain a formal letter of support from the owner allowing the applicant to install the proposed artwork. This letter must be included with the application. Without the property owner’s written consent, the application cannot be reviewed.
City of Austin Property – Applicants proposing to install public art on City of Austin property must submit an Artwork Donation/Loan Review application for review by the Arts Commission. The Arts Commission must approve the donation prior to entering into the contract and in no case later than 7/30/17. To arrange the Arts Commission review, please contact Cultural Arts Funding Program staff. Artwork Donation/Loan Review application forms are available at
http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/EGRSO/art_donation_2014_v01.pdf (you may also find this document in the "Library" Tab above.
If awarded funding, this does not guarantee approval of Artwork Donation/Loan application by the City of Austin for the proposed artwork.

The City of Austin will NOT fund, nor allow as a match:
• Programming that is not open and marketed to the general public
• Governmental agencies or public authorities
• Educational institutions, including public or private schools, colleges and/or universities
• Applicants that have a “delinquent” status with the Cultural Arts Funding Programs
• An operating deficit or budget shortfall projected for the funding period or incurred within previous fiscal periods
• Previously completed activities
• Religious and/or sectarian programming or any programming and or services that are solely for the promotion of or consumption by a specific religious order and/or a particular sect
• Cash reserves or endowments of any kind, as awarded funds are to be expended within the designated funding period
• Capital expenditures, purchase, repair or renovation of equipment or real property, including construction, renovation or purchase of equipment and/or real property. In the case of neighborhood art and design projects, funding may be requested for research, planning, design and/or fabrication of art projects, but not for general construction, reconstruction, landscaping, or other costs that can be considered capital expenditures.
• Applicants whose nonprofit status has been revoked by the Internal Revenue Service
• Programs and/or services of Austin-based arts and cultural organizations that benefit other cities or regions
• Projects that benefit a commercial business or activity
• More than one application per eligible program per fiscal year
• Sponsored projects that benefit the Fiscal Sponsor or are an extension of the Fiscal Sponsor’s programs or services
• Fundraising groups and/or “friends of” organizations that exist primarily to support an artistic organization/group
• Foundations with a principal purpose of making grants to unrelated organizations or individuals. Foundations are eligible to serve as Fiscal Sponsors, however
• Activities concurrently receiving funding through other City of Austin Cultural Funding Programs
• Activities concurrently receiving funding through other City of Austin Department Programs
• Established, regularly occurring arts events (including classes and residencies) occurring with the contract period
INELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS
These project costs cannot be used as match, and may not be limited to, the following:
• Costs associated with the start-up of a new organization
• Direct project costs incurred more than 60 days prior to the grant starting date
• Any fund-raising expenses, including but not limited to entertainment, reception or hospitality functions expenses
• Consultants who are members of an applicant’s staff or board
• Payments to students or interns whose employment is tied to class credit
• Operating costs not associated with the project
• Purchase of gifts, awards, cash prizes, scholarships, contributions or donations
• Existing deficits, fines, contingencies, penalties, interest or litigation costs
• Internal programs at colleges or universities
• Curriculum development or curricular activities such as creation of textbooks or classroom materials
• Scholarly or academic research, tuition, and activities which generate academic credit or formal study toward an academic or professional degree
• Exception: Mileage is allowed at the approved per diem rates when accompanied by a completed City of Austin Cultural Funding Private Vehicle Report. Travel activity must be essential to the project. Travel for research is not an eligible project cost.
• Purchase of Gasoline
• Property Taxes or any other tax with the exception of retail sales or payroll tax
• Audits unless required per cultural funding contract
• Membership fees
• The purchase of computer software/hardware
• Mass produced commercial products
• In-Kind contributions (including unpaid, volunteer time) from sponsored project individual artists, applicant employees or applicant board members
Ineligible Project Costs include (CAN be used as match), but may not be limited to, the following:
• Cultural Funding Services Agreement (contract) management costs, writing fees, sponsorship fees, or any other contract management fees. They may be used as match, however, if occurring during the Agreement Fiscal Year
• Travel of Applicant or Sponsored Individual/Organization’s administrative staff
• Food or beverages, unless essential to the project. Contact CAD staff to verify eligibility of any food or beverage expenses
Contact Cultural Arts Division Staff for questions or clarifications of eligible project expenditures and match contributions.