The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (“DEP”), in conjunction with the Erie County Arts and Cultural Advisory Board (“EACAB”), will be kicking off the 2022 Arts and Cultural Funding Program with an application release on Monday, March 1^st.

As implemented last year, there are three (3) application levels. The application this year will be almost entirely identical in content but will be completed entirely online.

Applicants will be able to register for access to the applications starting on February 18^th, 2021 at www.erie.gov/CulturalFunding. Only one account will be created per organization. This account should enable applicants to complete their applications in multiple sessions before submission, as well as be able to update submitted applications for future grant cycles.

As established in 2020, Level 1 applications may request up to $50,000, Level 2 applications may request more than $50,000 up to $150,000, and Level 3 applications are for requests of over $150,000.

Grant requests may not exceed 20% of an organization’s operating budget.

Please note that funding requests are not guaranteed; all applications will be reviewed, as before, based on their financial management, governance, and programming, with funding distributed in accordance with available funds for the 2022 calendar year.

All organizations applying must have at least one (1) year as a 501c3 organization to be eligible to apply. They must be able to submit to the EACAB a 990-N, 990-EZ, or 990 form to be eligible. All attachments are required to be consistent with the organizations’ federal and state non-profit reporting requirements.

Level 1 applications are due by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, April 28^th, while Level 2 and Level 3 applications are due by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, May 5^th. Submission assistance is available until 4:30pm each day.

The staggered deadline allows organizations more time to complete their applications and improves submission through the website. 

Organizations meeting the stated Eligibility Requirements must submit their application online at www.erie.gov/CulturalFunding. Late or incomplete applications will negatively affect an organization’s application score. Submitted applications will be reviewed by the Erie Arts & Cultural Advisory Board and DEP staff.

Organizations are strongly encouraged to attend an applicant briefing. This year, in light of the new online format and COVID-19 considerations, three regular briefings will be provided through Webex. Each of the regular briefings will focus on a single application level. DEP staff and EACAB Board members will provide an overview of the application, a walkthrough of account registration and Level-specific completion, and answer questions. Interested persons may attend more than one briefing (as usual, only one application per organization will be considered for funding).

Registration for briefings will open on February 18^th, 2021 at www.erie.gov/CulturalFunding.

Level 1 Applicant Briefing: Tuesday, March 2^nd, 2021 at 6:00pm

Level 2 Applicant Briefing: Wednesday, March 3^rd, 2021 at 6:00pm

Level 3 Applicant Briefing: Thursday, March 4^th, 2021 at 6:00pm

An alternate briefing is scheduled for Thursday, March 11^th, 2021 at 12 noon for anyone unable to attend the Level-specific briefings. The alternate briefing will provide an overview of the online application, but not a complete walkthrough, and will answer questions from attendees.

Contact Mariely Ortiz at 716-858-1916 or mariely.ortiz@erie.gov if your organization is unable to attend or representatives require special accommodations.

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