Valley Arts Initiative Grant Program for Organizations located in Minnesota & Wisconsin

The St. Croix Valley Foundation (SCVF) recognizes that participation in arts and cultural activities enriches the region’s quality of life, promotes interaction among residents, and builds community across diverse groups. Therefore, the Valley Arts Initiative grant program intends to fund high-quality arts experiences – supporting artists and nonprofits, engaging the community, and ultimately fostering a rich and diverse arts ecosystem in the St. Croix Valley.

Donor Name: St. Croix Valley Foundation (SCVF)

States: Minnesota, Wisconsin

Counties: Chisago County (MN), Washington County (MN), Burnett County (WI), Pierce County (WI), Polk County (WI), St. Croix County (WI)

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 12/17/2021

Details:

Each year, the SCVF applies for a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board; all funds received from the Wisconsin Arts Board are matched by the SCVF and then re-granted to established arts organizations or nonprofits offering innovative arts programming.

Funding Categories

• Organizations with arts at the core of their mission and programs may apply for either:
  • Program Support or
  • General Operating Support
• Non-Arts organizations may apply for:
  • Program Support for arts programming that engages artists and benefits the community.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Valley Arts Initiative grant program funds organizations located – and programming provided – in the St. Croix Valley (including Washington and Chisago Counties in Minnesota and Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, and Burnett Counties in Wisconsin).
• The applicant must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization or designate a 501(c)(3) organization as a fiscal sponsor. Applicants must have no outstanding final reports due to the SCVF for previous arts grants.
• The Wisconsin Arts Board has two requirements of applicants:
  • Cash Match. Applicants must match the amount requested with cash or in-kind contributions. Of this match, 50% must be cash. For example, if an applicant requests $1,000, applicants must show a $1,000 match of which $500 is cash coming from ticket sales, other grants, or individual contributions.
  • Public Service Activity. A funded project must perform a public service activity such as a concert, exhibition, etc. The activity must be announced to the entire community and be held in an accessible setting (admission fees may be charged).

Decision-Making Process

A panel reviews proposals in a public meeting. Applicants are invited and encouraged to attend, but attendance will not affect the decision on your organization’s proposal. Decisions in all grant programs follow an established review process and are made according to a conflict of interest policy.

For more information, visit Valley Arts Initiative Grant.