Emergency Response Fund Quick Grant Guidelines – Spring 2020
Overview
Grant funding for Rising Arts Leaders of San Diego is provided by the Center for Cultural Innovation, a nonprofit organization based in the Bay Area. In previous years, Rising Arts Leaders has allocated part of our operational funding to the annual Virgil Yalong Quick Grants, a program that provides a limited number of competitive grants of up to $1,000 each to San Diego County emerging artists and arts professionals seeking funding for a project or professional development activity. The Rising Arts Leaders Steering Committee has been monitoring the ever-changing COVID-19 situation and learning about its effects on our arts and culture community in San Diego County. We know our community – a membership that is made up of working artists, arts administrators, and arts and culture workers – are experiencing an unprecedented time and financial losses related to COVID-19.
In the spirit of our Quick Grant namesake, Virgil Yalong, a fearless arts advocate and champion of the arts in San Diego, our Steering Committee has made the decision to allocate $8,000-$10,000 of Virgil Yalong Quick Grant funding to an Emergency Response Fund, making one-time micro-grants in the amount of $200 per grantee. The 2020 Emergency Response Fund’s goal is to directly support the immediate financial needs of our members. Rising Arts Leaders will review and administer the funds to select individuals who complete the application process as outlined in these guidelines. The Emergency Response Fund will prioritize the financial needs of our members – working artists, arts administrators, and arts and culture workers – who have been and remain financially vulnerable including people of color, those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with disabilities. Members who apply will receive $200 and use the funds as they deem necessary.
Rising Arts Leaders Steering Committee recognizes that we are unable to fund all that apply for this grant since our funding is limited. We have reached out to other organizations that are providing emergency funding and sought their guidance and best practices for this process. We believe we have created a thoughtful application to help us assist those most in need.
Applications will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee based on the eligibility below and in the order in which they are received. We will prioritize those who identify as a person of color, part of the LGBTQ+ community, and/or those living with disabilities.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Statement
Rising Arts Leaders is committed to advancing equitable access to professional development and leadership opportunities. We are committed to actionable diversity and inclusion within our organization. Furthermore, we acknowledge that the San Diego arts and culture community is diverse and underrepresented groups must be supported.
We provide equal opportunities to people of any race, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, marital status, geographic location, philosophy, educational attainment, religion, veteran status, citizenship status, and ability status.
This page contains a description of the materials required in the application. We would like to be transparent with our process so we are providing the guidelines to help you prepare your grant proposal and assemble the required documentation.
Please read thoroughly. If you have any questions, please email risingartssd@gmail.com using the subject line: [applicant name] Emergency Response Fund Spring 2020.
DEADLINE: Monday, June 22nd at 11:59 PM
Applications that are received after the deadline will not be considered.
Applications have closed.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the Emergency Response Fund 2020, applicants must:
1.) Be working in, or aspiring to work in, the arts and culture sector.
Arts and culture sector can be broadly defined and includes anyone working in, for, or with arts and culture, including cultural centers, arts and culture education, museums, traditional and contemporary arts, music or dance, galleries, legal (e.g. artists rights), etc. If you have any questions about your eligibility please email risingartssd@gmail.com using the subject line: [applicant name] Emergency Response Fund Spring 2020.
2.) Be a member of Rising Arts Leaders of San Diego.
Sign up for Rising Arts Leaders membership by joining our email list. Please visit www.risingartsleadersofsandiego.org and click “Become a Member”. This will be addressed in your Application.
3.) Be based in San Diego County and the Baja Region.
4.) A demonstrated involvement in San Diego County’s arts and culture sector.
Review Criteria
- The applicant must demonstrate an urgent financial need. Before applying, we ask that applicants self-evaluate whether they are experiencing dire financial emergencies during this time and to make space for those most urgently in need. Due to the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we define “dire financial emergencies” as the lack of or imminent endangerment of essentials such as housing, medicine, caretaking, and food. We are aware that each artist’s needs differ so we ask that you thoroughly and accurately describe your situation. Applicants should demonstrate a pressing and critical need for emergency support to be considered for this grant.
- Priority will go to the financial needs of working artists, arts administrators, and arts and culture workers, who have been and remain financially vulnerable including people of color, those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, and/or those living with disabilities.
Review Process and Timeline
The Rising Arts Leaders Steering Committee will review applications. We will notify all grantees via email and phone. Grantees will need to complete our online payment form. Payments will be made via PayPal and may take three to seven business days.
- Monday, June 8th at 8:00 AM – Application Cycle Opens
- Monday, June 22nd at 11:59 PM – Application Cycle Closes
- Week of Monday, July 6th – Notifications Made
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted starting on Monday, June 8th at 8:00 AM and accepted until Monday, June 22nd at 11:59 PM. Only completed applications submitted by the deadline will be considered. No exceptions will be made.
The Emergency Response Fund Application can be accessed here: EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND APPLICATION
Application
In addition to collecting your contact information and demographic information that is used to assess eligibility and for us to understand the population we are serving, you will be asked to describe in 1-2 paragraphs your current financial situation, what loss of income you have been facing since mid-March as a result of COVID-19, and how these funds will help. We will also ask you to provide a professional resume or CV, as well as 2-3 work samples and/or links to your website or other online documentation of your work, to demonstrate your engagement in San Diego County’s arts and culture sector. Your information will be kept confidential.
Reporting/Grantee Commitments
Grantees are highly encouraged to complete a brief survey at the end of our grant period by October 31, 2020. The survey will ask how the grant was used and how it affected the grantee after they received it.
Questions
If you have any questions, please email risingartssd@gmail.com using the subject line: [applicant name] Emergency Response Fund Spring 2020.