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Grant Writing Successes Share Advice
Applying for a grant from the Iowa Arts Council is not as daunting a task as you may think. The Iowa Arts Council has worked to streamline its granting process to make it easier than ever to apply. Each year, IAC awards hundreds of thousands of dollars to support artists, arts education programs and arts organizations across the state as part of the organization’s core mission.
Whether you’re looking to apply for a mini grant worth up to $1,500 or a major grant worth up to $10,000, a good place to start if you’ve never applied for an IAC grant is to attend a grant writing workshop. These are held across the state and coordinated through local communities. Grant program managers conduct the workshops and provide information on what review panels expect to see in grant proposals. Participants also have an opportunity to learn how to develop powerful grant proposals, hear about the new eGRANT application system, new granting programs and changes to granting guidelines.
Mike
Wallace, executive director of Dallas County Conservation Board, recently
applied for, and received, $6,100 for “Prairie Awakening – A
Journey into Indigenous Learning.” The event will be held Sept. 9
from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Keuhn Conservation Center near Redfield and features
Native Americans from several states participating in a multi-faceted program
that fosters an understanding and connection with indigenous people and
landscape.
“Last year when we applied we didn’t get funding,” Wallace said. “So I asked for the comments from the review committee and based on those, was able to identify the weaknesses in the application and fix them. My best advice is to work with the grant review people to find out what kinds of projects they’re funding, then make sure your project fits with that particular grant. Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw, sometimes it’s about how many projects you’re competing against and how much money is available. But you need to know what it is they’re looking for and make it relevant to your project.”
Gary Koeppel with the Marion Chamber of Commerce agrees. He’s worked with Red Cedar Chamber Music for several years to bring interactive cultural activities to underserved populations in the area. Koeppel was awarded $5,300 for the “Music for Seniors” program that will take place Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Village Place Senior Center in Marion. The event features Jan Boland (flute), JoAnna Cochenet (viola) and John Dowdall (guitar) playing 19th century trios by Francesco Molino.
“We’ve had a long standing relationship with Red Cedar Chamber Music,” Koeppel said. “It’s been great because it’s helped us in our position to improve the quality of life in Marion. The key to grant writing is to make sure you’re in line with a quality cultural organization and to find a program that fits the needs of your community. We’ve gone into classrooms and seniors centers. Some people don’t understand what chamber music is, so we’ve been fortunate to work with [Red Cedar].”
The IAC continually seeks organizations to serve as hosts for grant writing workshops. If you can gather 10 to 15 individuals or organizations in your community to attend, the IAC will schedule a workshop in your community or region.
The next grant writing workshop will be held Monday, Aug. 28 from 1-4 p.m. at Western Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave., Council Bluffs. Register online at the Iowa Arts Council workshops web page.
For more information on upcoming grant writing workshops or how to host
a grant writing workshop, visit the Iowa
Arts Council workshops web page.
