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Frequently Asked Questions: Professional Development and Education

Subtopics:
- Grant Programs

Grant Programs
- The Program
  - About how many applications are received per cycle?
    
    About how many applications are received per cycle?
    
    We generally receive about 50-100 applications per cycle.
    
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  - About how many applications are funded per cycle?
    
    About how many applications are funded per cycle?
    
    We generally award about 2-4 grants per cycle depending on the amount of funding we are able to dispense at the time.
    
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  - Can I apply towards an upcoming production/project I'm working on?
    
    Can I apply towards an upcoming production/project I'm working on?
    
    No. These programs fund projects that will make a significant impact on the sustainability of an arts group or individual artist's work. Awards from the program are not intended to defray short-term production costs.
    
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  - Do I have to repay the grant?
    
    Do I have to repay the grant?
    
    No, sir! This is a grant and does not have to be repaid.
    
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  - How are funding decisions for the program made?
    
    How are funding decisions for the program made?
    
    All grant applications are considered by a review panel consisting of Fractured Atlas Board members as well as peers from the arts community. The panel makes recommendations to the full Board, and those recommendations are discussed and finalized at quarterly Board meetings.
    
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  - How much are the grants?
    
    How much are the grants?
    
    The grants range from $250-$1000.
    
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  - What types of requests are generally funded through the program?
    
    What types of requests are generally funded through the program?
    
    Examples of the types of expenses that might be funded include: workshops, classes, residencies, master classes, cultural exchange efforts, laboratory explorations, consultant fees, business-related software/equipment purchases, and the like. Recently, grants have been awarded for artist residencies, equipment purchases, website development, trademark fees, brochure/DVD printing, and convention and workshop attendance fees. We do NOT fund rehearsal, development, or production expenses for particular projects or ongoing projects, nor do we fund fundraising efforts (benefits/galas, donor mailings, etc.) or incorporation fees (including 501(c)3 incorporation fees).
    
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  - Why are these called "microgrants"?
    
    Why are these called "microgrants"?
    
    Fractured Atlas believes in the importance of continued training, development, and exploration throughout an artist's career, whether it's creatively or organizationally. We also believe that targeting expenses not related to any particular project but that will enhance the stability of a young artist/arts organization will allow for future progress and advancement. But, why are they called microgrants? Specifically, they are somewhat small amounts of money (in comparison to the grander funding scale) that are awarded to specifically target long-term development projects for artists and/or organizations.
    
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  - You're not a foundation. Why do you offer grants?
    
    You're not a foundation. Why do you offer grants?
    
    We offer our grant program as a special benefit to our members. The program is brought to you by the Emerging Artists Fund, the first ever endowment fund established to provide sophisticated financial resources and access to capital for emerging artists and arts organizations. We understand that many of our members do not have the time or capabilities to apply to a foundation or other grantmaking organization. We also understand that many of our members need a learning experience on how to apply for a grant. This is a great way to experience the granting process and, perhaps, receive a grant!
    
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- Applying
  - Are only members eligible to apply?
    
    Are only members eligible to apply?
    
    Yes. This program is only available to Fractured Atlas members. You can find membership information at www.fracturedatlas.org.
    
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  - Can I apply for multiple different expenses per cycle?
    
    Can I apply for multiple different expenses per cycle?
    
    If the expenses are interrelated, certainly feel free to request funding for them in your application. An example of this would be payment for a convention and lodging expenses for while you're there. If the expenses are not related, please choose only one to apply for. An example of this would be the cost of website development software and an accounting class.
    
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  - Can I apply for something I already paid for?
    
    Can I apply for something I already paid for?
    
    No, only upcoming expenses are eligible for funding by the program.
    
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  - Can I mail or fax my application?
    
    Can I mail or fax my application?
    
    No. Our online application is simple and easy. It can be filled out and submitted directly through our website.
    
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  - Does your online application check grammar and spelling?
    
    Does your online application check grammar and spelling?
    
    Unfortunately, no. Your best bet is to type your answers into a word processing document and then copy and paste them into the application when you're finished. This will not only help with spelling and grammar checks but, if you're a smart computer user, it will also ensure that your work is saved (save early, save often!).
    
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  - How can I send support materials?
    
    How can I send support materials?
    
    You are able to attach one support document to your online application. This can be a brochure, photo, short music/movie clip, etc. Please do not send an excessively large attachment and please do not try to attach a more extensive grant application, as these will not be reviewed. Please do not send any support materials to our offices (via email, fax, or snail mail), as we will not accept them.
    
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  - How do I apply?
    
    How do I apply?
    
    You can apply for the grants directly through our website. Just be sure you're logged in first.
    
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  - How many times per year can I apply?
    
    How many times per year can I apply?
    
    You can apply once per cycle, which equates to once every six months (or twice per year).
    
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  - If I have questions about the application or about what to specifically apply for, can I contact someone?
    
    If I have questions about the application or about what to specifically apply for, can I contact someone?
    
    Definitely! Feel free to contact our Director of Member Services via email or phone during regular business hours.
    
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  - Is it better to make a modest request or to request $1000 and see what I'm awarded?
    
    Is it better to make a modest request or to request $1000 and see what I'm awarded?
    
    Modesty is the best policy. Don't try to create extra related expenses so that your request winds up equaling $1000. Granted, if your expense exceeds $1000, it might only be proper to request $1000. But, if your expense is $750, don't try to finagle an extra $250 into your request. We don't have that much money to allot, so those asking for a more modest amount are more likely to be funded.
    
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  - My computer broke mid-application and my work didn't save! What do I do?
    
    My computer broke mid-application and my work didn't save! What do I do?
    
    Unfortunately, all is lost and you'll need to start over. Your best bet is to type your answers into a word processing document and then copy and paste them into the application when you're finished. This will not only help prevent information from being lost (remember to save early and often!), but will also help with spelling and grammar.
    
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  - Oops! I just realized I made a mistake on my application and it's been submitted! Can I change it?
    
    Oops! I just realized I made a mistake on my application and it's been submitted! Can I change it?
    
    Please contact our staff immediately to make any changes to an application that has already been submitted. Depending on the extent of the error and the time frame of the review panel, we cannot always guarantee that these changes will be made.
    
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  - What if I have a website I want the panel to look at?
    
    What if I have a website I want the panel to look at?
    
    You are more than welcome to include your website within your application, but do not use it to refer the reviewer to more information. Our panelists already have their hands full reading 20-30 applications? please don't ask that they do extra work!
    
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  - When do I have to submit my application by if I want to be considered?
    
    When do I have to submit my application by if I want to be considered?
    
    The review panel meets biannually to consider grant applications. Creative Development grant applications must be submitted online by 11:59PM Eastern Time on June 30th. Organizational Development grant applications must be submitted online by 11:59PM Eastern Time on December 31st.
    
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  - Why is there a $10 application fee?
    
    Why is there a $10 application fee?
    
    This program is funded from our own operating budget, not by any third-party funders. We need the $10 fee to cover the program's basic operating expenses. It also encourages applicants to take the application process seriously.
    
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- Post Application
  - If I was awarded for a grant for something I no longer plan on doing, can I keep the grant?
    
    If I was awarded for a grant for something I no longer plan on doing, can I keep the grant?
    
    Maybe. We ask that if you are awarded a grant for something (e.g., a residency) and things fall through, please contact our staff. Generally, we will be able to work things out after discussion with our Board and grants committee. In the very worst case scenario, we might ask that you return the money, as using it towards something unrelated would not be acceptable.
    
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  - If I'm awarded a grant, how do I get the money? Do I have to do anything else?
    
    If I'm awarded a grant, how do I get the money? Do I have to do anything else?
    
    If you are awarded a grant, you will be mailed a check directly. If the grant is $600 or more, you will be required to fill out a W-9 (for tax purposes) prior to the issuing of the check. The award letter will detail some follow-up that we ask you to submit a few months later (a one-page statement of what you used the grant towards and any results that have occurred because of it).
    
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  - If I'm denied the grant, can I contact Fractured Atlas for feedback on my application?
    
    If I'm denied the grant, can I contact Fractured Atlas for feedback on my application?
    
    You are more than welcome to ask the Director of Member Services for feedback on your grant application. The feedback will be candid and completely the opinion of the staff member. It is not at all the opinion of the grants committee that reviewed your application. Please allow our staff member a few business days to review and provide the feedback (which will generally be sent via email).
    
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  - When will I know whether or not I'm funded? How will I find out?
    
    When will I know whether or not I'm funded? How will I find out?
    
    Whether approved or denied, applicants are notified via e-mail approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline (February 15th for the December 31st deadline and August 15th for the June 30th deadline). Please do not contact our office unless 8 weeks have passed after the deadline (March 1st and September 1st) and you still have yet to hear from us.
    
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  - Why wasn't I funded?
    
    Why wasn't I funded?
    
    There are many reasons why you might not have been funded. Our grant program is extremely competitive, as we generally only fund less than 10% of the applications that are submitted. You might have been very close to being approved but, in the end, another application could've won out. Generally, that's the best reason we can give for why your application was denied. However, it could mean that your application was horribly written (let's be honest). It could mean that your request didn't fit within the particular category you submitted to. It could even mean that you didn't show how your request was going to develop yourself as an artist or your organization (since development is what the program is about). And, if you've applied repeatedly without being funded, you should definitely ask Fractured Atlas staff for feedback on your application.
    
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Frequently Asked Questions: Professional Development and Education

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