Major grant funding enables expanded programming and services at CultureWorks!
Over the past 15 years, CultureWorks has benefitted consistently from the incredible generosity of individual donors and family foundations, and we’re so grateful to rely on these sources of income. As a growing nonprofit, we’ve been encouraged by mentors and experts in nonprofit management to diversify revenue over the past few years, and we’re making great strides! In addition to significant increases in sales, program income, and corporate sponsorships over the past year, we’re also celebrating nearly $84,000 in new and expanded grant funding from the State of Michigan through the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)!
With these funds, CultureWorks is expanding programming and services in accordance with strategic plans developed during our two-year Capacity Building cohort through the DeVos Institute of Arts Management. These initiatives directly impact short- and long-term outcomes for students and our community, as we cultivate creativity, build community, and empower students.
Here’s an overview of grant funding and impact:
MACC and National Endowment for the Arts: $39,150
- This represents a 70% increase over the previous year’s award from MACC/NEA, and reflects organizational growth as well as the Council’s diligent work in refining the grantmaking process to more efficiently and equitably fund arts & culture nonprofits.
- MACC grants are unique in that they can be used for operational support, so they are vital to organizational sustainability! These funds cover:
- $17,500 in Operational Support
- $15,000 for Facility Improvement and Equipment Purchase, enabling us to invest in 6 new MacBook Pros for our digital art and design classes
- $900 for Professional/Organizational Development, which supports our free 3-day Fall Leadership Retreat for the Student Advisory Council.
- $750 for Transportation, which we used to transport 17 students to and around Chicago for our 3-day visit to meet Salvador Jimenez Flores and attend Grabadolandia Print Festival.
- $5,000 for Arts in Education, enabling us to partner with local schools, colleges, and nonprofits to provide free programming that supplements academic learning. Partners this year include Careerline Tech Center, West Ottawa Summer Migrant Program, Hope College TRIO Upward Bound, and Black River Public School.
MiLEAP Out-of-School Time (OST) Learning Grant: $44,400
- This is the first year we’ve applied for this grant, and it’s notoriously a doozy to manage; I’m so grateful for our mighty, capable team!
- The OST grant covers expenses related to expanding existing programs or establishing new programs that support expanded learning opportunities such as mentorship, leadership, community engagement, visual/performing arts, STEM, career and college exploration, youth voice, 21st century skills, cultural engagement programming, and social-emotional learning.
- $2,400 for our studio lease
- $21,600 for programming staff
- $6,000 for supplies
- $14,400 in additional funds that were recently allocated and not yet budgeted/disbursed
- MiLEAP OST grants require compliance with very high standards for:
- program content and impact
- program reach (we need to serve an average of 15 students on site per day, for 80 days during the school year and 24 days of summer) – this has been especially difficult to manage this winter, given the prevalence of snow days and flu cases!
- attendance reporting, site evaluation visits, extensive surveying through MSU, and data collection/management
- student safety and well-being, as outlined in the Michigan Out-of-School Time Standards of Quality
- tracking measurable goals and outcomes
- teamwork and administrative agility for navigating all the hoops and hurdles associated with government platforms and procedures – go team!
We’re incredibly grateful for these State and Federal Grants, which support a wide range of initiatives, programs, and partnerships aimed at youth development, academic achievement, career readiness, and social-emotional well-being. Many thanks to all those who’ve advocated for and supported state and federal funding, including MACC, MiLEAP, Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan, Michigan Nonprofit Association, and members of the Michigan Legislature! And many thanks to the individuals, foundations, and corporations who help us access these grants by donating unrestricted gifts and matching funds!
