Apply Now | Fiscal Sponsorship: Accepting Out of Cycle Applications

Pave the way for increased access to grants with an Out of Cycle review.

Fall 2017 is quickly approaching and with it comes an array of funding opportunities to make your project a reality. NYFA’s Fiscal Sponsorship team has compiled a list of upcoming grant deadlines below. Since some grants require a fiscal sponsor in order to apply, consider an Out of Cycle NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship application to support your project. Be sure to build in enough time for the fiscal sponsorship application process by thoroughly reviewing the grant guidelines.

What is Fiscal Sponsorship?

Fiscal sponsorship is a tool for expanding fundraising capabilities for projects with a public benefit component. As an arts fiscal sponsor, NYFA’s program allows individual artists, artist collectives, and emerging organizations to utilize NYFA’s 501c3 tax status to further the fundraising efforts of their own projects. Fiscally Sponsored Projects and organizations also gain access to experienced staff for fundraising and project management consultations, as well as review of letters of inquiry and grant proposals, amongst other benefits.  

Why Apply for an Out of Cycle Review?

NYFA’s Out of Cycle application process allows artists to meet time-sensitive deadlines, as some grants require a fiscal sponsor at the time of submission. There is a $175 administrative fee for an Out of Cycle review and applicants typically hear back from the panel in two weeks time. Email [email protected] to request an Out of Cycle application. Depending on your grant application timeline, NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship’s no-fee quarterly application deadlines may also meet your project needs!

How does Fiscal Sponsorship Differ from a Grant?

Fiscal sponsorship does not award funding to artists directly. However, NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship does increase the capacity of individual artists, collectives, or new organizations to fundraise in support of their own projects. Be sure to check out the FAQ section of our website for more details about how NYFA’s program operates.  

Is NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship the Right Choice for my Project?

Fiscal sponsorship supports artists, collectives, and new organizations as they execute projects that serve the public sphere. Not sure if your idea qualifies as a project? To learn more about what makes a public benefit project, check out this Coach’s Corner article, Practice, Project, or Both…and Why This Matters.

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

• Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
• USArtists International
• Award: Up to $15,000
• Deadlines: September 7, 2017; December 1, 2017; and April 5, 2018
• About: Supports performances by U.S. artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe. USArtists International provides grants to ensembles and individual performers in dance, music, and theater invited to perform at significant international festivals and performing arts markets.
• Eligibility: Fiscal Sponsorship or 501c3 status are required. 
• Details: Review the 2017-2018 grant guidelines. 

• Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC)
• Creative Engagement
• Award: $750 – $8,000
• Deadline: September 12, 2017 at 5:00 PM
• About: Grants for diverse artistic projects happening anywhere in the borough of Manhattan during the 2018 calendar year. Past projects include concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings, etc.
• Eligibility for City funding: Nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and artist collectives are supported through Creative Engagement. Individuals and collectives may utilize a fiscal sponsor of their choice; however, a fiscal sponsor is not required. 
• Details: Access Creative Engagement guidelines and the application here. Attendance at Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for both Creative Engagement and Creative Learning grants. Click and see ‘INFO SESSIONS’ to sign up for a session.
• Creative Learning
• Award: $750 – $8,000 
• Deadline: September 12, 2017 at 5:00 PM
• About: Supports individual teaching artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations in leading innovative community-based arts education projects and programming for youth, adults, and/or seniors, which must be based in Manhattan and taking place during 2018.  
• Eligibility for City funding: Nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and artist collectives are supported through Creative Learning. Individuals and collectives may utilize a fiscal sponsor of their choice; however, a fiscal sponsor is not required. 
• Details: Access Creative Learning guidelines and the application here. Attendance at Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for both Creative Engagement and Creative Learning grants. Click and see ‘INFO SESSIONS’ to sign up for a session.

• Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC)
• Local Arts Support
• Award: $2,000 – $5,000
• Deadline: September 20, 2017
• About: Community-based art projects throughout the borough of Brooklyn are supported through this grant. The fund helps the development of local arts projects and programming by nonprofit organizations as well as individual artists partnering with an organization. 
• Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations and artists working with a nonprofit partner or Brooklyn-based fiscal sponsor.
• Details: Access guidelines and the application here. Attendance at Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for all Brooklyn Arts Council grants. Attend a grant info session – click here for dates. 
• Brooklyn Arts Fund (BAF)
• Award: $2,000 – $5,000
• Deadline: September 20, 2017  
• About: Supports Brooklyn-based organizations and individual artists creating performances, exhibitions, pop-up galleries, workshops, reading series, festivals, public art, and beyond. The grant program aims to cultivate artists, arts organizations, and audiences throughout the borough in 2018.
• Eligibility: Individual artists, nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status or a fiscal sponsor.  
• Details: Access guidelines and the application here. Attendance at Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for all Brooklyn Arts Council grants. Attend a grant info session – click here for dates. 

• Queens Arts Fund (QAF)
• Art Access Grant 2018
• Award: $1,000 – $5,000
• Deadline: October 26, 2017 at 5:00 PM
• About: Supports Queens-based nonprofit organizations and collectives that enhance the cultural vibrancy in Queens’ communities and neighborhoods. All disciplines including performance, literary, media, and visual arts projects are welcome to apply. Arts and cultural activity projects must take place in Queens, New York during the 2018 calendar year and be accessible to the public. 
• Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status, or, apply with a fiscal sponsor.  
• Details: Access guidelines and the application here. Attendance at Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for all Queens Arts Fund grants. See session dates and RSVP here. 

• Bronx Council on the Arts
• Arts Fund 
• Award: $1,000 – $5,000
• Deadline: October 28, 2017
• About: The Arts Fund aims to develop Bronx artists and small arts organizations through its support of high quality projects that engage Bronx audiences in a diverse array of artistic works in all disciplines.
• Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations and individual artists with a fiscal sponsor. 
• Details: Review the guidelines and register for an info session.

• MAP Fund
• Award: $2,000 – $5,000
• Application Opens: September 25, 2017
• Deadline: October 30, 2017
• About: MAP supports original live performance projects that embody a spirit of deep inquiry. In particular, MAP is interested in supporting artists that question, disrupt, complicate, and challenge inherited notions of social and cultural hierarchy across the current American landscape.
• Eligibility: Take this handy eligibility quiz to see if you qualify.
• Details: If you are a performing artist, sign up for MAP’s mailing list here.  

NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship’s next no-fee application deadline is September 30, 2017. For application detail and a Fiscal Sponsorship FAQ, please click here.

Image credit: Wild Shore Music Festival (Sponsored Organization) at Federal Hall, courtesy of Katie Cox