Overview
The Good to Great grant program, funded through Public Act 14-98, funds capital projects initiated by not-for-profit arts, cultural, and historic organizations that connect art, history, and tourism to enhance visitors’ experience of an arts/cultural venue and/or historic site. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3)/501 (c)13 organizations that own or operate an arts/cultural venue or historic site in Connecticut and that promotes the art, culture and/or history of the state. This funding is targeted for small to medium-sized organizations with an operating budget of $500,000 or less and that have received limited state funding in the last three years. The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) seeks applications that not only look beyond basic facilities repair, rehabilitation, or expansion but also towards new means of sharing and telling the stories of our state’s rich history and culture in engaging, meaningful, and relevant ways. Funding will be prioritized for collaborative projects that demonstrate a clear vision of how individual sites and organizations can effectively tie together local, regional, or statewide cultural assets in ways that demonstrate measurable movement from “good” to “great”.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)13 organization that owns or operates an arts/cultural venue or historic site in Connecticut. An historic site is defined as listed (or eligible to be listed) on the State and/or National Register of Historic Places. This funding is targeted for small to medium-sized organizations with an operating budget of $500,000 or less and which have received limited state funding in the recent past. “State Funding” may include direct support through legislative line items, grant funding from any program of the Department of Economic and Community Development, legislative bond funding, or funding from other state agencies. For the purposes of this program, organizations that have received $30,000 or less over the past three years are considered to have received “limited” funding. Organizations are required to assign one designated staff person (paid or volunteer) as the liaison/project manager. Organizations must be the owner of the associated property or must show proof of long-term lease (minimum ten years). During the review process, additional points will be awarded to applicants who have shovel-ready projects and have cash match in hand. Please note that all qualifying applications must have a capital project component.Eligible Uses:
The goals of the Good to Great program are to fund capital projects that:
• Link art, culture, history and preservation in ways that will enhance and transform the visitor experiences of cultural and historical sites.
• Look beyond basic facilities repair or expansion and consider engaging, meaningful, and relevant ways to share Connecticut stories, which can include innovative means of delivery.
• Encourage collaborative projects that demonstrate a clear vision of how individual sites and organizations can effectively tie together local, regional or statewide cultural assets.
• Demonstrate an awareness of state tourism goals and include a clear marketing plan on how connect the two.
• Expand opportunities for small to medium-sized 501(c)3 / 501(c)13 cultural organizations that have received limited state funding support in the recent past (three years).
• Support organizations that seek to expand, and enhance the promotion arts, culture, and/or history of Connecticut.
• Increase public awareness of and/or visitation to arts, culture and history organizations in Connecticut.
Ineligible projects/applicants. Grants cannot be awarded to municipalities or previous recipients of a Good to Great grant or be used for any activity that would adversely affect a historic property. View the Good to Great guidelines for more information.
Funding Details
Grant requests must range between $25,000 to $150,000.
Good to Great is a reimbursement program. Grantees are responsible for all upfront expenses. All expenditures will be reviewed and approved prior to reimbursement. Funded projects must be completed within two years of grant being executed. In accordance with Section 38 of Public Act 15-1, all grant recipients will be required to have a 10-year temporary lien placed on the site by the State of Connecticut.
Good to Great grant awards require a cash match (a minimum financial contribution) of no less than 25%. If awarded, the cash match must be in hand within two weeks of notification of award (Additional points will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate a cash match at the time of application.) Good to Great funding cannot be matched with other state funds. Grantees are not allowed to use in-kind goods/services as a cash match.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit a Letter of Interest via email to todd.levine@ct.gov on or before 11:59 pm, Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Dates are subject to change.
Letter of Interest deadline: on or before 11:59 pm, May 1, 2019
Full Application Deadline: on or before 11:59 pm, July 1, 2019
Application Review: August 2019
Notification: September 1, 2019
Funding Period: Grantees have two (2) years from the contract date to complete the project
Please note that the e-granting system will not be accessible until AFTER the Letter of Interest deadline passes.
Contact
For more information or questions, please contact Todd Levine via email at todd.levine@ct.gov.