Cultural Sustainability - FAQ

The following addresses questions about the Cultural Sustainability pilot program. Please read the entire grant guidelines prior to reviewing these FAQs. Many questions are answered in the guidelines, with additional clarification or examples provided here. If you cannot find the answer to your questions, please contact Aiyana Straughn at astraughn@southarts.org.

Note: this information will be updated as we continue to engage with organizations and respond to questions across our Southern communities.

Does this grant require a match?

No, this grant does not require matching funds.

Can I apply if I already have a South Arts grant?

Yes, current grant recipients may apply. You may not apply if you already have a Cultural Sustainability grant through another US RAO. Note: while current South Arts grantees are eligible to apply, we are intentionally making space to fund organizations that are new to South Arts, as well.

What if an ineligible organization is my fiscal sponsor – can we still apply?

Yes, you can still apply if your fiscal sponsor is a school, college, university, unit of government, or organization outside of the South Arts region. However, it must be clear that it is a fiscal sponsor relationship and not a co-application as funds will only be given to one (1) organization, the fiscally sponsored organization. The fiscally sponsored organization will be the one to complete the application and provide any information regarding their fiscal sponsor.

Can I serve as a reviewer and apply to the Cultural Sustainability grant program?

Yes. A person may nominate themselves to be a reviewer and apply for a grant award. All reviewers must complete a conflict-of-interest form and will be assigned applications outside of their state.

How does South Arts define general operating expenses? Where do I find my organization’s operating expenses in our documents?

In short, general operating expenses cover the day-to-day activities that support the organization's mission. Here are some documents to reference for this information:

Nonprofits and Tribal Governments: Form 990 (Line 18) or Form 990-EZ (Line 17)
Single-Member LLCs: Form 1040, Schedule C (Line 28)
Partnerships: Form 1065 (Line 22)
S Corporation: Form 1120 (Line 21)
Corporations: Form 1120 (Line 27)

How do I start my application in Salesforce?

Here is a short video to assist you with starting an application. While this video references the Express Grants program, the same steps apply to the Cultural Sustainability program.

How do I upload files into my application?

This short video will assist you in uploading files into Salesforce. While the video references the Presentation Grants program, the same steps apply to the Cultural Sustainability program.

What are some tips on writing a strong application?

Review the application table that demonstrates the alignment between the questions and the review criteria.
Attend the Peer Learning Webinar on December 12th. You will hear directly from other organizations and how they are approaching this work. It will be recorded for those unable to attend. Register here.
While optional, we recommend that you consider including support materials that best reflect the community’s voice in your work and most closely apply to the review criteria.
Reach out to staff with questions as early as you can. You can send an email, drop-in during office hours, or schedule a conversation with the program director, Aiyana Straughn at astraughn@southarts.org.

Lastly, this is not meant to be a burdensome application. So, feel free to cut and paste information from previous applications if it aligns with the Cultural Sustainability application questions. No need to use all the character space available unless you feel it is necessary to best tell your story.

What happens when the grant period is over? Will Cultural Sustainability be offered again?

The Cultural Sustainability program is a one-year pilot, and currently, there are no plans to offer the program again. However, through the Collaborative Learning Experiences, South Arts will engage with grant recipients to explore feasible ways to creatively and responsively support grant recipients beyond the check once the program is over.

Accessibility: South Arts is committed to accessibility and can adjust elements of the application process to make reasonable accommodations. Please contact Lisa Smalls: lsmalls@southarts.org for further assistance.

If you have any further questions about Cultural Sustainability, contact Aiyana Straughn at astraughn@southarts.org.

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