Grassroots Grant

Harnett County is no longer accepting applications for the 2024-25 subgrants for the Grassroots Arts Program. The subgrants are made possible through the North Carolina Arts Council, which has partnered with Harnett County to provide grant funding for local artists and arts-based initiatives in the county. This funding supports organizations in art programming across Harnett County in the form of plays, concerts, school programs, arts camps, and more.

There is one grant opportunity: 

• State Grassroots Grant (require 1:1 match)

The applications for the 2024-2025 fiscal year can be found below. 

Guidelines for Grassroots Arts Program Subgrants

Since 1977, the N.C. Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. The program distributes funds for the arts in all 100 counties of the state primarily through partnerships with local arts councils.

Eligibility for Application

• All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year. While nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is preferred, organizations that are nonprofit in nature may also apply.
• All organizations must reside and carry out projects within the county they are applying for funds.
• Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds.
• Applications and support materials must be completed and received by the due date.
• All projects must take place between July 1, 2023 and June 15, 2024.
• Grant amounts range from $500 and up.

What the Grassroots Arts Program Funds

Grassroots Arts Program funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs or operate an arts organization. Typical uses of Grassroots money include:

• Program expenses such as professional artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, Web site and electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music and equipment rental.
• Operating expenses for qualified arts organizations not already receiving operating support from the N.C. Arts Council. These can include salaries, telephone, office supplies, printing, postage, rent, utilities, insurance and equipment rental.

Priorities for Funding

• The first priority of the Grassroots Arts subgrant program is to provide operating or program support to qualified arts organizations not already receiving or eligible to receive support from the N.C. Arts Council. These include theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writers’ groups and arts festivals, among others.
• The second priority of the Grassroots Arts subgrant program is to support arts learning and arts in education programs conducted by qualified artists. These can be artist residencies in schools, afterschool or summer camps or adult arts learning classes.
• The third priority of Grassroots Arts subgrants is to community, civic and municipal organizations. These programs must be conducted by qualified artists.

Funding Policies

• Tribal organizations that receive Grassroots funds must represent state or federally recognized tribes.
• Colleges, universities and libraries may receive grants for arts programs that are community-based or generate regional arts involvement. Grants may not support their internal programs, administration or operation expenses (library books, band boosters, equipment purchases).
• Grassroots funds may not be awarded to individuals or to organizations for prizes, competitions, tuition, or financial rewards.
• Grassroots funds may not be used for art supplies or equipment.
• Religious organizations or churches may not receive Grassroots funds unless the programs are presented outside regular church services, engage the larger community and do not contain religious content.
• Grassroots funds may not be used for activities associated with a school’s internal arts programs such as in-school student performances, the purchase of art supplies, or student arts competitions and publications.
• Municipalities (city/county governments) may receive grants for arts programs which use qualified artists to conduct programs that involve the greater community. Grants may not support internal programs, administration or operating expenses.

Grassroots Arts Program money may not be used for the following kinds of expenditures:

• Art, music, and dance therapists
• Artifacts
• Purchase artwork
• Purchase equipment or art supplies
• Capital expenditures or equipment
• Contingency funds
• Deficit reduction
• Fundraising events
• Food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
• School band activities or equipment
• School choral activities
• Lobbying expenses
• Oral history and history projects
• Tuition for academic study
• Interest on loans, fines, or litigation costs

Logo & Branding materials

All grant recipients are required to prominently display the North Carolina Arts Council logo with tagline and credit lines on-site at funded events and in all digital and printed publicity materials. We also encourage you to use this on your website, electronic newsletters, and in as many materials and places as possible. Your display of these items serves to recognize the investment by the North Carolina General Assembly in our grants and programs.

In all communications, North Carolina Arts Council should always be written out on first reference. N.C. Arts Council is acceptable on second reference. NCAC should not be used.

Please access North Carolina Arts Council Logos here. 

Applications

Grassroots Grant Application- Fillable PDF

Grassroots Grant - Word Document

Applications can be submitted three ways:

• Email to Desiree Patrick at dpatrick@harnett.org
• Mailed to: P.O. Box 759 Lillington, N.C. 27546 (Addressed to Desiree Patrick, Administration Office)
• Drop them off in-person: 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington, NC, 27545 (Drop off on the second floor and ask for Desiree Patrick at the window)

No Overdue Tax Form

Grantee should complete this certification for all state funds received. The form can be found here. 

Questions?

For further question, please contact Desiree Patrick 14 Dpatrick@harnett.org or 410-893-7555.