How to Apply - Literary Arts Projects

STEP 1: Find out if your project fits all our requirements

STEP 2: Download the application form
(Adobe PDF version or MS Word version)

STEP 3: Submit all the required materials

STEP 4: Review the evaluation criteria and deadline

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES
1. Only not-for-profit presenting organizations in SAF’s nine-state region are eligible to apply. SAF’s nine-state region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

2. Presenting organizations must have not-for-profit, tax-exempt status or be an official unit of local, county or state government. Applicants must provide proof of not-for-profit or government status.

3. Only presenting organizations with operating budgets of $100,000 or less (for the last completed fiscal year) are eligible to apply. For government, college, university and other school-based presenters, individual departments are not considered separate presenters or organizations (the operating budget of the institution is applicable).  NOTE:  Government, college, university and other school-based presenters ineligible for this grant program should apply to the NEA/SAF Regional Touring grant program.

4. All applicants must have a DUNS number. Applications will not be accepted from organizations that do not have a DUNS number.  Find out more about the DUNS number and how to get one.

5. Eligible projects must take place in SAF’s nine-state region (in the presenter’s state).

6. Presenters cannot receive funding for writers who reside in the presenter’s state (i.e., a Georgia non-profit organization cannot apply for funding to present a Georgia writer).

7. Presenters are limited to one Southern Fast Track Touring grant for literary arts per SAF fiscal year.

8. The project must be completed by June 30, 2009.

9. Events must be open and marketed to the general public and dedicated to serving a wide audience.

10. The project must include both a reading and an educational/outreach component. NOTE: Readings at conferences and school-focused readings (primarily engaging students, whether taking place at the school or a venue) will not be considered open and accessible to the general public.

11. The reading and/or educational/outreach component must target and reach an underserved community. Underserved communities include those communities in which people lack arts programs, services, or resources due to geography, economic conditions, cultural background, socio-political circumstances, disability, age or other demonstrable factors. The term “community” can refer to a group of people with a common heritage or characteristics, whether or not living in the same location.

12. All grant recipients are required to provide accessibility for constituents with disabilities at grant-funded events. The National Endowment for the Arts has provided a resource, the Design for Accessibility handbook, to assist organizations in making accommodations. Please visit the Endowment's website.

13. Presenters who have failed to submit final reports for any previous SAF grant by the application deadline for this program will not be considered for funding in this grant cycle.

14. Presenters who fail to properly acknowledge SAF’s and NEA’s support in programs and press materials may not be considered for additional funding.


PLEASE NOTE
• The educational/outreach component is an integral part of the engagement and should be carefully planned. A meaningful educational component should involve concentrated preparation by the writer and presenter, and include a learning event that has a lasting impact upon the audience (e.g., workshops, lectures and master classes). The writer must conduct the educational activity. Please be aware that failure to include an educational/outreach component will result in ineligibility.

• The Southern Arts Federation does not support benefits or fundraisers.

• Southern Fast Track Touring grants are NOT transferable to other events. All project changes must be submitted in writing to SAF before the project start date. Awards may be revised or revoked in light of such changes.

• All SAF grant awards require a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

• Applicants are eligible to receive up to 50% of the writer’s fee as listed in the contract (subject to the noted limits). Special consideration will be given to presenters for the engagement of in-region writers.

• All grant requests are subject to funding availability. Grants are awarded on a first come/first served basis until funding is depleted.

• Applicants can only request fee support for one writer.

IN ORDER TO APPLY

Please submit the following:
• completed application form with original signature

• two-page project narrative

• a copy of the signed letter of intent or contract between the writer and the presenting organization stating the services (including the educational component), date(s) and fee (signed by both parties)

• a copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) letter or proof of government status

• writer’s resume and a list of published works (please include reviews if available)

• a representative sample of the writer’s work

• self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of sample materials

• self-addressed, stamped postcard for application acknowledgment

NOTE: SAF staff requests that applications be bound by paper clips. Please do not use presentation folders, binders, page protectors, etc.

Mail application materials to:
Nikki Estes
Southern Arts Federation
1800 Peachtree Street, NW
Suite 808
Atlanta, Georgia 30309


EVALUATION CRITERIA
Applications are reviewed and funding adjudications are made by utilizing the following criteria to evaluate each application:

• Artistic Excellence and Merit (40%) – Quality of writer and project

• Educational/Outreach Value (20%) – Quality of educational and outreach component(s)

• Audience Development/Accessibility (20%) – Efforts to reach underserved and diverse populations and the degree of facility and program accessibility

• Community Involvement (10%) – Degree of community participation

• Organizational Capacity (10%) – Presenter’s ability to carry out the project


DEADLINE
Applications must be postmarked at least 60 days prior to the project start date.  Applicants should request a legibly dated US Postal Service postmark (from a federal postal service center) or receipt from a commercial carrier. Privately metered postmarks will NOT be accepted as proof of timely mailing (Please do NOT risk ineligibility – make a visit to your local post office!).

The Southern Arts Federation strictly adheres to application deadlines and will NOT accept applications that are late, faxed, incomplete, or illegible. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in writing within four weeks of receipt, at which time grant contracts will be sent to funded applicants. Contracts must be signed and returned within two weeks of their receipt.

For assistance, contact Nikki Estes, Program Director – Presenting & Touring, at 404-874-7244 ext. 16.