Below, you will find answers to the frequently asked questions received by the Foundation from prospective applicants. Please review these FAQs before contacting the Foundation with questions.
When is the next submission deadline?
Applications are accepted quarterly. Please see the box on the right hand side of this web page for deadlines.
How often can I apply for funding?
You may apply with one project per submission cycle. Applicants may submit for funding multiple times throughout the year but are only eligible to receive funding once in each calendar year.
What if I’ve received funding before but haven’t completed my final reports?
Returning grantees must be in good standing with all required reporting submitted before new applications will be accepted.
If my project isn’t happening for several months, should I apply sooner rather than later?
Your project start date should fall within a six-month window from the board decision date. For example, if you apply for funding in December 2016, you will be notified whether you have received funding on March 14, 2017. Your project must begin between March 15 – September 30, 2017. If your project begins outside of that window, you should apply in a different submission period. If your event is ongoing (for example, a monthly series throughout the year) you may apply when is convenient for you. Please note, if you apply for an event that begins close to the decision date, you should be prepared with alternative funding sources should you not be awarded a grant.
I don’t/my organization doesn’t have tax-exempt status. Can I still apply?
Individuals or organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status must use a fiscal sponsor. A fiscal sponsorship agreement/ Memorandum of Understanding is required. If you are looking for a fiscal sponsor, please visit Fiscal Sponsor Directory.
Should I use my information or the information of my fiscal sponsor in the application?
Artists and presenting organizations should use their own information and primary contact for the application. If you are using a fiscal sponsor, you will find a section of the application to include the information for your fiscal sponsor.
How do I submit an application?
All applications must be submitted through our online grant system at zellerbach.fluxx.io. You must register for a user ID and password in order to submit your application. Click on “Community Arts Registration” and complete the short eligibility questionnaire. You will receive your user ID via email within 2-3 business days. Once you receive your user ID, log into zellerbach.fluxx.io to complete your application. Please make a note of your USER ID and PASSWORD as you will need it every time you log in.
What if I didn’t receive an email after requesting credentials?
Please check your junk or spam folder for the email confirmation of your user ID and password. If you do not receive an email after submitting your registration information, please contact Zellerbach Family Foundation Grants Manager Patrick Taylor at patrick.taylor@zff.org
I’ve applied before. Is my old user ID and password still valid?
Yes, as long as you are applying as the same individual/organization you can use your existing user ID and password.
Can I send in my application via USPS or email?
No. You must use the online grant system to apply for Community Arts grants.
Is it an open submission process?
The Community Arts program is the only program within the Zellerbach Family Foundation that accepts applications for funding. All other grants are administered by invitation only.
What size organization do the Community Arts grants support?
The Community Arts grants support individual artists and small and mid-sized organizations. Larger organizations are currently funded by grants in other Promoting Culture areas.
How much can my organization apply for?
Community Arts grants are project-based and range from $1,500 – $10,000. The requested amount must not exceed 50% of total project budget.
Which financial statements are required?
- IRS 501(c)(3) letter (for presenting organization OR fiscal sponsor)
- Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement/MOU (if applicable)
- Project Budget
- Annual budget for presenting organizations (if applicable)
What is the difference between project budget and annual budget for presenting organization?
- The project budget demonstrates that you have realistic and thorough financial plans in place for producing the work.
- The annual budget for presenting organization is an indicator of the annual size of the organization’s operations and whether it has been profitable in the past.
I’m an individual artist applying and I do not have the required financial statements or a Board of Directors. How should I fill out the application?
Please attach a brief statement explaining why this is not applicable to you as an individual artist or to your organization.
Our organization is new and does not have the required financial documentation from prior years. How should I fill out the application?
Please attach a brief statement explaining why this is not applicable to your organization.
What is the brief history and mission statement of presenting organization or individual artist statement?
The brief history and mission statement or artist statement should cover the history and mission of the organization and the scope of current activities or should be a brief statement from the artist about their personal creative history leading up to the proposed project.
Are there word limits on the application?
Yes, each field has a character count that will guide you as to how much detail to go into. Please do your best to be succinct in your descriptions.
Where do I upload the required documents?
At the bottom of the application, there is a blue box with Instructions for Uploading Attachments. Each required attachment is listed, with a small green plus sign next to it. Click on the green plus sign and you will be prompted to upload the required document. Make sure you upload each attachment under the proper category, or your application will appear incomplete.
Where do I upload letters of recommendation and press clippings?
Below the blue box where you upload the required attachments, there is a box labeled Upload Application Documents. Click on the green plus sign and you will be prompted to upload additional documents.
What kind of work sample should I include?
The work sample is meant to be representative of the proposed work you or your organization will produce. You may include up to three minutes of continuous video or audio. You may upload multiple samples for a total of three minutes of material. You may upload a longer piece, with instructions for cuing.
I accidentally hit submit before I completed my application! What should I do?
Contact Grants Manager Patrick Taylor at patrick.taylor@zff.org to have your application reopened. You application can only be reopened before the submission deadline. Once the submission deadline has passed, your application cannot be reopened.
What happens after I submit my application?
Your application is evaluated for eligibility and to assess its completeness. It is then passed on to our Community Arts panel for review.
How are grant decisions made?
Community Arts grant applications are evaluated by a rotating panel of professional artists. Final approval for Community Arts grants are determined by the Zellerbach Family Foundation Board of Directors.
How will I be notified?
You will receive an email notification of the outcome of your grant.
When will I be notified?
Final approval for Community Arts grants are determined by the Zellerbach Family Foundation Board of Directors. Notification will go out after each quarterly board meeting; please see the box on the right hand side of the page for notification dates associated with each submission period.
In the grant agreement it says: “…your grant may include funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, as detailed below.” What does this mean?
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a generous partner and supporter of the Community Arts program. Some of the funding you receive in your award may have been contributed by the Hewlett Foundation; if so, this contribution will be listed on your grant agreement.
If I receive a grant, how should I acknowledge the Foundation?
We have no requirements on acknowledgement of receipt of a grant. If you would like to acknowledge the Foundation, you may list us with your other donors at the appropriate level, include our logo in your printed materials, or include a short sentence acknowledging the grant.
Can I get feedback if my application is declined?
We will do our best to indicate if there is anything that would strengthen future applications; due to the highly competitive nature of the Community Arts program, there may be a variety of reasons why an application is declined. We are simply not able to fund every project.
What if I miss the deadline?
Due to the large number of applications the Community Arts program receives, we are unable to accept late applications. If the timeline of your project allows, you may submit at the next quarterly submission deadline. Applications saved but not submitted will not be processed.
How do I get more information about the application process?
The Zellerbach Family Foundation welcomes community arts applicants and grantees to join us for quarterly informational workshops to discuss and ask questions about the application process. The workshops are held prior to each open submission window for the Community Arts Program. Please see the box on the right hand side of this page for workshop dates and times. You must RSVP to the workshop you plan to attend.
Who do I contact if I still have questions?
Please contact:
Margot Melcon
Program Executive, Promoting Culture
margot.melcon@zff.org
(415) 421-2629 ext. 111