Apply for a grant from the Abilene Cultural affairs council

The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council was established in 1977 as a division of the Chamber of Commerce to support and foster the growth of the arts and humanities in the Abilene area. One of the Council’s primary functions is to distribute public funds to qualifying non-profit organizations.

The 2024 deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 3

The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council Grant Program has gone digital!

To simplify the application process and increase our accessibility, ACAC is now utilizing Foundant, an online grants management system. Among many benefits we think applicants will appreciate is the ability to control organizational contact information; to draft, save and submit online applications; and to upload documents and reports.

Learn how to get started with the Foundant System!

ACAC Grant Program Eligibility

The Cultural Affairs Council has two separate grant programs: Community & Visitor Development grants and Hearts for the Arts grants. Any non-profit, tax-exempt organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, or public and tax-supported organization (including colleges and universities), may apply. Proof of the organization’s tax-exempt status must accompany all applications.

Community & Visitor Development Grants Program grants are for organizational support for established arts groups and for events that promote cultural tourism.

HeARTS for the ARTS Grants Program grants are for multi-cultural, community oriented, and arts-in-education programs.

·         HeARTS grant General Guidelines

If you are submitting a grant application for a project which received funding last year, please make sure you submit the grant in the same category (HeARTS for the ARTS or Community & Visitor Development). If you are submitting a grant application for a new project, please email grants@abilenecac.org with a brief description. We will help you determine into which grant category the project best fits.

If an event funded by the ACAC Grant Program takes place inside the Abilene Cultural District, organizations should include the official Texas Commission on the Arts State Cultural District logo on all promotional and printed materials for the event. The logo is available on the ACAC website on the Cultural District page (right click and paste to computer). Please see the Cultural District page on the ACAC website for a map of the official Cultural District boundaries.

Organizations may submit applications to both programs if they are for different projects.

Applying under an umbrella organization: Organizations which are not tax-exempt may apply for a grant under the umbrella of an exempt non-profit organization or government agency. Umbrella applications require a signed agreement between the applicant and the sponsoring umbrella group. This agreement must contain a clause which holds the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council harmless for any liabilities incurred by either the applicant or the umbrella organization. Written approval of the Board of the umbrella organization must accompany the application. Umbrella organizations must be tax-exempt as defined by the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Annual Timeline and Details

1.    Grants are due by 11:59 p.m. June 3, 2024.

2.    Email notifications of grant awards are sent in September.

3.    Electronic grant documents will be delivered via the Foundant website in early October to applicants who receive awards.

4.    Digital grant documentation must be signed and uploaded back to the Foundant website within 30 days of receipt.

5.    Checks will not be issued until all documentation, including follow-up forms (formerly evaluations), for prior grants, have been submitted.

6.    Online follow-up forms (formerly evaluations) are due 30 days after the completion of your grant project or event.

7.    CVD grants which cover a whole year or season are paid in the form of monthly checks.

8.    Checks for one-time events are usually issued at the beginning of the month in which the event takes place. If you need the check sooner, let us know.

Payment of ACAC HeARTS for the ARTS and Community and Visitor Development grant awards are contingent upon availability of funding from the City of Abilene, including hotel motel tax, the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, the HeARTS for the ARTS program and other sources.

Questions? Please contact Susan Steele, Grants Administrator, by calling 677-1161 or emailing grants@abilenecac.org.