News Releases

FRF Offers $250,000 in 2015 Arts and Culture Grant Cycle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2015

 Media Contacts:   

Hugh J Ralston, President and CEO; 559-226-5600 x101; [email protected]

Kelvin Alfaro, Program Officer; 559-226-5600 x109; [email protected]

Fresno Regional Foundation Offers $250,000 in Arts and Culture Grants

Fresno, CA — Fresno Regional Foundation (FRF) is accepting applications for its 2015 Arts and Culture Grant Cycle. In 2015, the Foundation is engaging a dual approach to Arts and Culture Grantmaking. A total of $250,000 will be granted with $200,000 allocated to FRF’s Arts and Culture funding priority and $50,000 allocated to “Engagement Pathways” pilot projects.  

An in-person Information Session will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Woodward Park Regional Library (944 East Perrin Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720). In addition, a webinar Information Session will take place Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. To register, go to http://j.mp/2015frfacinformation.

New to the Arts and Culture grant cycle in 2015: The Foundation has allocated $50,000 for projects that capture the rich histories within and across the region. Historical societies and arts, cultural, and public organizations are encouraged to apply for grants ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 for a one-year period and are open to organizations serving Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare, Mariposa, and Merced counties. Of the $50,000, up to $25,000 will go to support organizations outside of Fresno County.

“The Central San Joaquin Valley is home to many outstanding historical societies and arts, cultural, and public organizations that help to chronicle the rich diversity, culture, and history of this region, its communities, and individuals who have built our Valley. As keepers of our past, these organizations contribute greatly to our quality of life and illuminate our shared future by highlighting where we have been, how we got here, and who helped create the communities and institutions we rely on today,” said Hugh J. Ralston, President and CEO of FRF.

FRF Arts and Culture Funding Priority

FRF serves a dynamic and multicultural population. It is important that the Community Benefit Organizations (CBOs) we support are aware of, and sensitive to, the diversity in the Central Valley. Therefore, FRF will fund programs under this priority in 2015 that meet one of the following four Goals to Fund:

1. Support culturally relevant art forms that reflect and serve the Central San Joaquin Valley’s diverse population and that engage underserved communities.
2. Support arts and cultural activities that strengthen academic or life skills.
3. Innovative projects or programs that reach/engage broader audiences in new ways or in new places.
4. Support historical societies and arts, cultural, and public organizations in projects that capture the rich histories across the region.

The Fresno Regional Foundation will grant approximately $200,000 in FRF Arts and Culture funding priority. Specifically for Goals to Fund #1-3, Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $55,000 for a one-year period, and, due to donor restrictions, will support organizations serving Fresno County.

Specifically for Goal to Fund #4: Of the $200,000 in FRF Arts and Culture funding priority, $50,000 is earmarked for Goal to Fund #4. Grant amounts are expected to fall in the range of $2,500 to $7,500 for a one-year period. Grants under Goal to Fund #4 are open to organizations serving Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare, Mariposa, and Merced counties with a maximum of $25,000 specifically supporting organizations outside of Fresno County.

“Engagement Pathways” Pilot Projects Funding Priority

Through a partnership with the James Irvine Foundation, FRF will be granting up to $50,000 for Engagement Pathways Pilot Projects. Engagement Pathways grants will go to organizations with an operating budget of $100,000 or less and/or to individual artists with a fiscal sponsor. These grants are to fund approaches that support art experiences for more audience relevance and creating art experiences that are meaningful to more people. This special priority will fund projects and programs that integrate three distinct engagement pathways.

1. Engage low-income and/or ethnically diverse populations that have been traditionally underserved by arts nonprofits
2. Expand the ways communities engage in the arts by making or practicing art, including the use of digital technology to produce or curate art
3. Advance the use of diverse, non-traditional spaces for arts engagement, especially in regions with few arts-specific venues

The grant amounts will range between $1,000 and $10,000. The funded projects will culminate in public presentations. FRF will develop and host the public presentations in 2015 and 2016. The counties targeted include Fresno, Merced, Madera, Mariposa, Tulare, and Kings.

Deadlines

Applying to the 2015 Arts and Culture grant cycle is a two part process. First, applicants must submit an OrgCard detailing organizational and financial information by Friday, February 27, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Following approval of the OrgCard, the grant application will be due by Friday, March 13, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Organizations may apply for either the FRF Arts and Culture grants or the Pilot Project grants, but not both.

For more information about grant guidelines, information sessions, and how to apply, please contact the Program Staff at 559-226-5600 x109 or visit http://j.mp/2015frfacinformation

About the Fresno Regional Foundation

Founded in 1966, FRF improves the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley through philanthropy. It serves Fresno, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Tulare, and Kings Counties.

FRF is the trusted link between donors and organizations investing in permanent, high-impact initiatives for the San Joaquin Valley. The Foundation holds assets of over $62 million and awarded over $9.7 million in total grants in 2014.

For more information about the Fresno Regional Foundation, please visit http://www.fresnoregfoundation.org or call 559-226-5600.

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