2022 Erie County cultural funding application release, applicant briefings scheduled

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, in conjunction with the Erie County Arts and Cultural Advisory Board, will be kicking off the 2022 arts and cultural funding program with an application release on Monday, March 1.

As implemented last year, there are three 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 Feb. 18 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 one applications may request up to $50,000. Level two applications may request more than $50,000 up to $150,000. Level three applications are for requests of over $150,000. Grant requests may not exceed 20% of an organization’s operating budget.

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 year as a 501(c)(3) 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 organization’s federal and state nonprofit reporting requirements.

Level one applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, while levels two and three applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, May 5. Submission assistance is available until 4:30 p.m. 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 Feb. 18 at www.erie.gov/CulturalFunding.

The level one applicant briefing is 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 2. Level follows at the same night the next night, with level three the same time on Thursday.

An alternate briefing is scheduled for noon Thursday, March 11, 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. It will answer questions from attendees.

Contact Mariely Ortiz at 716-858-1916 or [email protected] if unable to attend, or if representatives require special accommodations.