501(c)3 organization - a non-profit organization deemed exempt from federal taxation.
capital costs - one-time expenses for physical things such as equipment, construction/renovation, etc.
direct costs - main costs associated with the project (salaries and benefits of project personnel, supplies and materials, travel, etc.)
indirect or overhead costs - basic costs of running an organization that aren't associated with a particular projects: electricity, heat, general administrative costs, etc.
LOI (Letter of intent or letter of inquiry) - Letter to the potential funder with overview of the program and funding needs; if the funder is interested they will ask for a full proposal.
operating costs - on-going costs for operating your organization (personnel, administrative costs, etc.)
program costs - costs for a specific project, program, or initiative, above and beyond normal operating costs.
Why grants?
Grants are a crucial part of the performing arts economy, and grant writing will be relevant to many performing artists and arts teachers. Grants give you an opportunity to realize new project ideas or keep your organization running.
Finding grant opportunities and writing grant applications requires skills in research, writing, and budget management, in addition to great ideas for projects and organizations. This guide gives you some starting points for understanding grants, finding and evaluating opportunities, locating data and research to back up your requests, and writing a proposal.
On average about 40% of nonprofit arts funding comes from contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. A large amount of that funding will go through the form of grants, or monetary awards given for a specific purpose. Types of grants, eligibility, priorities, allowed expenses, and application procedures can vary widely, but there are some strategies for finding, supporting, and applying for grants that can be helpful across the board. This guide will give you some basic tools and resources for:
From Americans for Arts, 2017. See full page below.