Arts Relief Fund

Guidelines

The purpose of this new round of Arts Relief Fund grants is to help our local arts and culture sector recover from the pandemic. Grants will provide financial support to arts organizations in Jersey City that contribute to our progressive, equitable, and multicultural arts sector. Grant funds may be used toward general operations and facility costs, purchasing health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts to encourage attendance and participation in arts programs. Priority will be given to arts nonprofits with programs supporting underserved areas and populations of the Jersey City community.

This round of the Arts Relief Fund is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and is part of the American Rescue Plan. Because this program includes federal funds, there are very specific requirements for applicants. It is strongly recommended that you thoroughly read all the Guidelines and application requirements before beginning an application. 

Please note: Organizations can apply for and receive an Arts Relief Fund grant even if they have received a Jersey City Arts & Culture Trust Fund grant.

Award Amount

Applicants can apply for grants of $15,000, $10,000, or $5,000.

Final determination of each award will be based on volume of eligible applications and available funds. While applicants may request the maximum award amount, final award may be less than requested. All awarded funds must be expended within the funding period.

There are no cost share or matching fund requirements for this grant. 

Please note: This grant is supported with federal funds. Before applying, you must review the list of Allowable Grant Expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the eligibility requirements below:

• Organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

• Organization is headquartered in Jersey City and serves the Jersey City community. 

• Organization has a primary mission focused in the arts.

• Organization has at least one part-time staff member in an administrative role (can include a salaried or contract employee). 

• Organization has been in operation for at least 2 years prior to the application.

Please note: Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for the grant. Individuals, for-profit entities, and fiscal sponsors are not eligible.

Applicants must also have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through SAM.gov in order to apply. If you do not currently have a UEI, you can register and find more information at SAM.gov.

Please note: On April 4, 2022 the federal government transitioned away from the use of DUNS Numbers and toward the new SAM.gov Unique Entity ID. Even if you previously registered for a DUNS Number you will have to register for a Unique Entity ID through SAM.gov.

Application Deadline

Deadline extended – Completed applications must be submitted no later than May 18, 2022. Grant period is expected to be from July–December 2022.

Application Requirements

Narrative and data collection questions in the application include:

• Mission, programming, and audience details

• Staff and board demographics

• Artistic/Program work samples

• Community engagement

• Financial and budget data, including financial statements for your most recently completed fiscal year

Application Support

You can email us if you have questions, need language or technical assistance, or would like to schedule a call with JCAC staff to discuss the grant. Please email MacAdam Smith at jerseycityartscouncil@gmail.com.

Review Process

Only fully and correctly completed applications will be considered. Applications will be scored by a review panel, with final awards determined by the board of the JCAC. The following evaluation criteria will be used to review applications:

• Artistic Merit and Artistic Excellence – evaluates the arts programmatic history, potential to have an immediate impact on the arts workforce, and the significance of the mission and core work of the organization.

• Community Engagement – potential to serve and/or reach individuals throughout Jersey City whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by ethnicity, economics, geography or disability.

• Management Ability – evidence of ability to carry out goals and requirements of this funding opportunity.

Click here to view a sample of the scoring rubric that will be used by reviewers.

Terms and Conditions

Before submitting an application, organizations should review the Terms and Conditions mandated by the National Endowment for the Arts. If your organization is recommended to receive a subgrant you must comply with these mandates.

Grantees must permit JCAC and our financial auditors access to their records and financial statements as needed for us to ensure compliance with the federal award requirements.

Grantees must retain financial records and other supporting documents related to the grant for a period of three (3) years from the submission date of JCAC’s final expenditure report to the NEA. 

Grantees that do not use awarded funds, or use them for unauthorized/unallowable costs or activities, will be required to return those funds to JCAC for further regranting. 

Final Reporting

Grantees must submit a required final report to JCAC no later than 90 days from the end of the grant period. Final Reports must include:

• A financial report on the actual expenditures of grant funds.

• A report on the location and numbers of individuals benefited through your work or any programs supported by grant funds.