Funding criteria
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The following statutory criteria
are utilized
by staff, panels and Council to evaluate all grant
applications. Below each criterion, you will find the various
factors that are considered when evaluating each criterion.
Artistic/Programmatic Excellence
NYSCA believes in artistic excellence without boundaries and an evaluation process that embraces the widest variety of cultural and artistic expression being offered to the public in a broad array of settings and contexts from classrooms and community centers…to parks and open spaces…to more traditional venues.
NYSCA considers four dimensions of artistic work when evaluating applications to support the artistic work of artists and cultural organizations:IDEA – the concept or artistic impetus behind the work.
PRACTICE – the effectiveness of how the work is put into practice and the impact it has on those experiencing it.
DEVELOPMENT – the contribution the work makes to the development of the artists involved, the art form, and the arts more widely.
CONTEXT – the context in which the work is being presented and the appropriateness of the work to that context.
When the project or organization is requesting support for services rather than artistic work the following dimensions of this work are considered when evaluating organizations.
IDEA – the concept or impetus behind the services being offered.
PRACTICE – the effectiveness of how the services are put into practice and the impact they have on the artistic community.
DEVELOPMENT – the contribution the services make to the development of the arts and cultural community in the state.
CONTEXT – the context in which the services are being offered and the appropriateness of the services in that context.
Managerial/Fiscal Competence
As a public funder, NYSCA must ensure that the organizations it funds are capable of carrying out the work they propose and will be good stewards of public funds.
While NYSCA believes that competence can take many forms, there are four dimensions of managerial competence that NYSCA considers when evaluating applicant organizations.MISSION
The organization has a written mission statement that…
- Defines purpose for being;
- Defines organization’s core values;
- Determines structure, functions and purpose of organization;
- Is approved by the board;
- Is reviewed regularly and updated when appropriate.
GOVERNANCE
Organizations have a board of directors or trustees that provides oversight for the organization by…
- Adopting enabling documents including by-laws, mission statements etc. and reviewing them at regular intervals;
- Selecting the chief executive and annually reviewing their performance;
- Providing proper financial oversight by approving the annual budget, reviewing it at regular intervals, and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place;
- Actively engaging in adequate fundraising for the organization by making a personal contribution to the organization and actively soliciting funds from others;
- Ensuring legal and ethical integrity and maintaining accountability by ensuring legal standards and ethical norms are being met;
- Maintaining and enforcing a conflict of interest policy;
- Ensuring effective organizational planning by participating in overall planning process and overseeing implementation;
- Recruiting and orienting new board members and assessing board performance;
- Enhancing the organization’s public standing;
- Determining, monitoring, and strengthening the organization’s programs and services.
ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT
The leaders of the organization comprehend their roles, advance the mission and plan for the future.
Responsible management hinges on the:
- Existence of a professional staff appropriate to the size and mission of the organization;
- Implementation of board policies by professional staff;
- Comprehension, review, and revision of policies by staff and with board as needed;
- Preparation of year-end statement of financial condition and program activities;
- Offering of competitive compensation and health benefits to employees;
- Competitive compensation of artists;
- Existence of personnel policies that include job descriptions and performance evaluations for board, staff, and volunteers;
- Development and implementation strategic plan incorporating input from board, staff, community and other constituents.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
The organization provides adequate human and financial resources that enable the organization to work toward fulfilling its mission, and manages those resources appropriately.
Successful financial management includes…
- Raising adequate financial resources for general operating, endowment, and short and long-term capital needs;
- Developing a balanced operating budget which includes contingencies, contains realistic projections of revenues and expenses, and is approved by the board;
- Reviewing revenues and expenses in relation to budget at regular intervals and takes steps to raise funds or cut costs when necessary to balance the budget;
- Establishing a finance committee that meets regularly to review financial statements and reports directly to the Board of Directors;
- Engaging an independent financial auditor that reports directly to Board of Directors;
- Engaging in cost-effective fundraising activities.
In addition…
Written financial policies exist that govern:
- investment of assets, internal control procedures, purchasing practices, reserve funds, compensation expense account reporting, and earned income;
- Internal financial processes are monitored, including handling of checks, petty cash, cash disbursements, payroll management to prevent errors and misuse of funds;
- The use of restricted funds are monitored;
- Budget to actual reports are made available to appropriate staff in a timely manner;
- There is a fund development plan that ensures a diversified funding base;
- Financials demonstrate diversified funding base;
- Variances of more than 10% are noted and explained;
- Operating deficits are explained and there is a deficit reduction plan for accumulated deficits.
Service to the Public
As a public funder, NYSCA must ensure that its grants support broad array of cultural activity that fully represents the diversity of the state, and that the supported events are accessible to the broadest possible public in every region of the state. In addition, it must do its due diligence to ensure that the organizations and events supported comply with accepted safety and accessibility standards.
PROMOTION AND OUTREACH – the organization demonstrates that it makes significant efforts to reach a broad and diverse audience through marketing and public relations efforts.AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT – the organization offers thoughtful and well-designed educational and interpretive activities that help build audience appreciation and understanding of the organization and the work being produced, presented, or exhibited.
AUDIENCE/VISITOR PARTICIPATION – the organization can demonstrate a public commitment to their programs and activities through attendance data (relevant to the population of the community served) as well as customer satisfaction surveys (if available and appropriate).
SAFETY & ACCESSIBLITY – the activities and events that support is being sought for will take place in venues that are fully accessible to the public and comply with all safety and accessibility standards.
DIVERSITY OF PROGRAMMING – programming reflects significant efforts to reach a broad array of artists and audiences.
COMMUNITY SERVICE – the organization demonstrates value to its community through partnerships with local businesses and schools, free and low-cost events, and in other appropriate ways.