The Community Foundation of Otsego County and the Mildred Parish Foundation Fund at CFOC present the Spring 2025 Awards Cycle: Arts in Otsego County
The Community Foundation of Otsego County values the arts as essential to our community well-being. The arts – by fostering creativity, emotional expression, critical thinking, cultural understanding, and social connection – are vital in enhancing our quality of place.
With that in mind, our Spring 2025 awards cycle is allocating $100,000 to arts organizations in Otsego County.
On March 7, CFOC hosted a breakfast for arts organizations to gather their top needs in order to thrive. Their input has shaped the following criteria for applications to be considered in our Spring 2025 awards cycle.
What will be funded in the CFOC 2025 Spring Award Cycle for The Arts:
• General operating support (applicants must provide specifics, i.e., consultants, staffing costs, one-time needs, etc.) ;
• Capacity growth, including, but not limited to, hiring of consultants and grantwriters, and general equipment needs;
• Feasibility studies;
• Programming, including, but not limited to: support/promotion for special events and exhibitions (including, food, venue, installation, artist costs, etc.), summer arts programming for children, displays of public art, arts education and workshops.
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations. Groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization are also eligible but must submit evidence of the sponsorship (funds will be disbursed through the sponsor, which must also provide the identifying information requested in the application).
What We Do Not Fund through Spring 2025 Awards Cycle:
• direct grants to individuals
• direct grants to businesses
• capital projects
Maximum individual awards are $10,000. A maximum of $15,000 is available for applications that involve multiple organizations working in collaboration.
Award Details:
• The deadline for applications is May 16th, 2025.
• To submit an application, click here.
Application Instructions:
• Please answer all questions.
• If an award is offered, funds will be disbursed upon written acceptance of our award and compliance with any conditions of the award.
• A final report will be required on the use of award funds. Reports must include metrics on what the program or activity accomplished, evaluations of how it performed in comparison to expectations, lessons learned, and what changes will be made if the program continues. Reports should be written for a general audience, with technical terms and jargon defined. Reports for prior awards are required before new applications will be considered.
• Applications must be submitted online.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Questions Welcome
If you have any questions about the application or awards round, we are glad to help. Please email contact@cfotsego.org or call 607-286-3750.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: If I’m not a 501c3, is it possible for me to apply?
A: Yes, but… you will need to find a fiscal sponsor that is a 501c3 in good standing and willing to act as the applicant. That organization’s mission should be aligned with the goals of the proposed project. The sponsoring organization will be accepting financial and reporting responsibility and will be liable for complying with the provisions of our award letter.
Q: Can churches and religious organizations apply?
A: Yes, churches and religious organizations can apply, but the project/service applied for must be for the benefit and use of the general public. Projects/services that only serve a specific religious congregation are not eligible.
Q: Can I apply if I received an award in previous cycles?
A: Yes, as long as a final report for the previous award has been submitted (or with approval from CFOC).
Q: Do I need to upload my financial statement and most recent 990?
A: Yes, we do require these materials as part of a complete application. We only consider complete applications. Your financial statement should include the most recent year’s Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activity. Project budget is required too, but not here.
Q: Why do you need to know how many of my Board members made cash donations in the past 12 months?
A: We have seen that healthy 501c3s are ones with strong boards, demonstrated by personal financial commitments. We do not need to know the amounts of such commitments. We encourage you to explain the importance of this to your board members. While a factor in the review process, the percentage of board member cash contributions is not a deal-breaker.
Q: What do you want to see in the project budget?
A: The more detail, the better. If you are including administrative costs, please clearly indicate those costs. This budget is for the project; we are not asking for your organization’s overall budget.
Q: Is the deadline firm?
A: Yes. The application process will be closed when the deadline date has passed. Submissions will not be possible after the deadline date.
Q: When will awards be announced?
A: We expect to review and approve applications by the end of the month that follows the deadline.
Q: If my application is unsuccessful, is there any way for me to understand why?
A: Yes. We are happy to review your application, either by email or phone.
Q: I have a question that has not been covered above? Is there a way for me to ask it?
A: Yes. We want to do everything we can to make our award process work best for our Otsego County nonprofits. You can email us at contact@cfotsego.org or call Jeff Katz, Executive Director, at (607) 286-3750.
Requirements
Please complete all information and provide all requested documentation, where applicable. If you have any questions about the application or its requirements, you can email us at contact@cfotsego.org or call Jeff Katz, Executive Director, at (607) 286-3750.
• We request that a report be submitted on the use of award funds. Reports must include metrics on the success or failure of the program or activity that the award supports, evaluations of how the proposed program performed in comparison to expectations, and what changes will be made if the program continues. Reports will be required before the Fund will consider follow-up second awards.
• Applicants must be existing 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations operating and located within Otsego County. Groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization or other charitable entity such as schools or other public entities are eligible but must submit evidence of the sponsorship (funds will be disbursed through that sponsor, which must also provide the identifying information requested in our application). Awards cannot be made directly to businesses or individuals.
