AFA — Major Arts Presenters Operating Funding
AB, Canada
Funding for Alberta-based major arts presenters organizations
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateApril 1, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The grant provides operational funding for major arts presenters in Alberta, with amounts determined by an organization's Community Derived Revenue and adherence to eligibility criteria. It supports activities like administration, programming, and salaries, ensuring alignment with the organization's mandate and strategic plan.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides operational financing support to arts organizations, facilitating their programming and administrative activities. The funding allocations are strategically calculated based on the organization's community-derived revenue.
- Funding is awarded based on the calculation of Community Derived Revenue (CDR), adjusted according to specific percentage tiers.
- The adjusted CDR is used to determine each organization's funding allocation, proportional to the total adjusted CDR for all eligible applicants.
- The grant supports a variety of expenses, including administration, programming, salaries, equipment maintenance, and promotion.
- The grant does not cover expenses related to alcohol, amortization, GST, fundraising, bad debts, or capital expenses.
- Organizations must credit the AFA for the financial support in all publicity material, with penalties for non-compliance.
- Unutilized funds or those not meeting reporting requirements may be required to be returned, with future funding eligibility affected in cases of non-compliance.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports activities focused on the operational aspects essential to fulfilling the organization's artistic mandate and strategic plans. It addresses the financial needs to manage, promote, and present arts programming effectively.
- Administrative operations essential for the day-to-day running of the organization.
- Development and execution of programming initiatives for presenting art disciplines.
- Payment of salaries and fees to administrative and artistic staff.
- Maintenance of equipment and infrastructure necessary for art presentations.
- Promotion of events and performances to the public.
- Other expenses crucial to align the operations with the organization’s mandate.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant requires applicants to meet specific criteria to be eligible for consideration.
- The organization must have artistic presentation as its principal mandate, as stated in its incorporation documents.
- The primary activity must be ongoing development, implementation, and promotion of arts presenting programming.
- The annual program of presentation should be open to the public, featuring professional artists.
- The organization must employ at least one full-time equivalent administrative and/or artistic staff member responsible for planning and producing artistic performances and events.
- The organization must be a not-for-profit and registered, in good standing, under the appropriate legislation.
- It must have been operating in Alberta for at least three years.
- At least 50% of the organization’s board members must reside in Alberta.
- The organization must contract with artists and pay industry-standard fees to at least 75% of them involved in its presentation program.
- It must demonstrate good governance, effective administration practices, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility.
- The organization should operate as a stand-alone arts organization at arms-length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or those receiving annual operating funds from the Government of Alberta or its affiliates.
- Compliance with all Canadian Arts Database (CADAC) financial and statistical data requirements is necessary.
- A board-approved cash reserve policy must be in place, defining necessary reserves and conditions for access and replenishment.
- First-time applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for the three fiscal periods prior to application and contact the granting body for a preliminary eligibility assessment.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible ApplicantsTo be eligible for Major Arts Presenters operating funding, you must:- have artistic presentation as your organization’s principal mandate, as stated in its incorporation documents- engage in on-going development, implementation and promotion of arts presenting programming as its core primary activity in an annual program of presentation of professional artists open to the public- employ at least one full-time equivalent administrative and/or artistic staff member who is responsible for planning and producing artistic performances and eventsYour organization must:- be a not-for-profit organization- be registered and in good standing under the appropriate legislation and have been in operation in Alberta for at least three years- have at least 50% of the organization’s board members living in Alberta- contract with artists and pay professional artists fees at an industry standard (such as a union or nationally recognized rate) for their art where applicable to at least 75% of the artists involved in the organization’s presentation program for all performances- demonstrate the ability to operate using good governance principals, effective administration practices and a commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining its mandate- operate as a stand-alone arts organization at arms-length from municipalities, commercial enterprise, or organizations and institutions receiving annual operating funds from Government of Alberta or its affiliates- comply with all Canadian Arts Database (CADAC) financial and statistical data requirements- have a board-approved cash reserve policyIneligible Applicants- Organizations that are engaged primarily in competition-based activity are not eligible for AFA funding.- Organizations can only receive operating funding from one AFA grant program.First-Time ApplicantsEligible first-time applicants are accepted only at the beginning of each three-year cycle.- If this is your organization’s first application for Major Arts Presenters operating funding, you must contact us at least three months before the deadline for a preliminary eligibility assessment to ensure your organization meets the eligibility criteria.As a first-time applicant, your organization must have met all eligibility requirements for the three annual fiscal periods prior to application. You must also provide board-approved financial statements that demonstrate the organization has positive net assets and has been operating with no annual deficit for each of these three fiscal periods.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain organizations primarily based on their engagement in specific activities or funding statuses. These restrictions are intended to ensure that funding is directed exclusively to arts organizations meeting particular criteria.
- Organizations engaged primarily in competition-based activities.
- Organizations that are not stand-alone arts organizations and operate with influence from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or institutions receiving annual operating funds from the Government of Alberta or its affiliates.
- Organizations already receiving operating funding from another AFA grant program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This funding supports expenses related to the organization's operations and mandate fulfillment.
- Administration costs.
- Costs associated with programming.
- Salaries and fees for staff and professional artists.
- Maintenance of equipment and fixed assets.
- Promotion expenses.
- Other necessary expenses to fulfill the organization's mandate.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to not-for-profit organizations operating in Alberta. It requires organizations to have been in operation in Alberta for at least three years and have directors primarily based in the province.
- Organizations must have at least 50% of the board members residing in Alberta.
- Organizations must be registered and in good standing under the appropriate legislation in Alberta.
- Entities must have been in operation within Alberta for a minimum of three years.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria concerning community-derived revenue and board review to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.
- Community Derived Revenue (CDR): Funding is determined based on the organization's three-year average CDR, adjusted according to specific percentage tiers based on average CDR levels.
- AFA Board of Directors Review: The board considers department staff evaluations and recommendations, reviewing all funding recommendations and making final decisions on grant allocations.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Create GATE Front Office Account
- Complete the GATE Front Office Registration form.
- Email the registration form as an attachment to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca at least five business days before the deadline.
- Receive your GATE Front Office username and password via the email provided on the registration form.
- Step 2: Gather Required Information
- Compile your organization’s incorporation documents and Alberta Registration number.
- Prepare your CADAC number for the last three years of financial and statistical data.
- Ensure your organization’s current board list is up to date.
- Prepare financial statements for the past three years, showing positive net assets and no annual deficit.
- Develop a current, board-approved business or strategic plan.
- Create a list of planned activities for the coming year.
- Formulate a Cash Reserve Policy as per grant requirements.
- Step 3: Complete GATE Front Office Application
- Log into the GATE Front Office online system with your credentials.
- Fill out the Application Contact List, designating a primary contact and signing authority.
- Provide your organization’s street address and mailing address.
- Complete the Organization Applicant Agreement.
- Complete the necessary online forms, including the Community Derived Revenue Calculation and Diligence Questionnaire.
- Step 4: Upload Attachments
- Upload the board-approved business or strategic plan and the listing of planned activities for the coming year.
- Provide the most recent annual financial statements, including pertinent documents like Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows.
- Submit a confirmation of the most recent annual return from Alberta Corporate Registry.
- Upload a current list of core staff and their positions.
- Submit a copy of your organization’s Cash Reserve Policy.
- Step 5: Review and Submit
- Review all provided information and ensure completeness and accuracy.
- Submit the application through GATE Front Office by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date.
- Step 6: Receive Confirmation
- Receive confirmation of application submission through the GATE Front Office system.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- All applications must be submitted through the GATE Front Office online application system by the deadline.
- A GATE Front Office username and password are required for first-time applicants, which must be requested at least five business days before the application deadline.
- Funding is calculated based on the Community Derived Revenue (CDR) and varies depending on the organization's revenue tier.
- There are specific financial statement requirements for interim and final reports, based on the grant amount.
- Successful recipients usually receive notification about four to six months after the application deadline.
- There are specific recognition requirements to credit AFA support in publicity materials, and failure to comply may result in funding penalties.
- The AFA may inspect financial records to ensure compliance with grant conditions.
- Applicants are advised to consult with department staff regarding the Cash Reserve Policy during development.
grant_single_labels|contact
jodie.vandekerkhove@gov.ab.ca
780-415-1318