Grant money? Three Tips (and a few leads) to Help You Get Some

There is a lot of grant money out there for creative people, and yet most people never apply for any of it. Why? I don't know the answer for sure, but I suspect it's because of the grant application process. It can be very overwhelming and can seem like more work than it's worth. It could also be that they apply for one grant, are denied, and give up thinking it's useless.

Perhaps, but how much time/effort would you invest for $5,000? $10,000 or more to help you fund a project or build your career?

I can give you three tips to minimize the time you spend and maximize your results:

1. Gather/create your information. Grants require you provide information, usually lots of it, in the application process. Once you create that information you can use it over and over again. It's information you should have on hand anyway for your marketing and business, and once you have that info you will be much clearer on who you are and where you want to go.
   
   
2. Do your homework. Make sure that the grant you want to apply for is a good match for you. Read the information they provide. If, for example, they say that the grant is for visual artists working in oil paint who are over the age of 50 and live in the USA, do not apply for it if you work in pastels, are under 50 and live in Canada. They're the ones giving away the money, you'll have to play by their rules. Know what those rules are.
   
   
3. Be patient and persistent. Grants are a long-term process. It can take months, sometimes years to be successful at getting grants. If you apply for one that you are well-qualified for and are denied, try and find out why and re-apply next time. You may not be able to contact the grant-giver directly, but many will profile the receipients on their websites and you can glean info there.

I get a newsletter from the Foundation Center called Arts Funding Watch, you can too, it's free, go here to subscribe. There are grant opportunities listed for artists in all fields. They also have a paid online system to search for grants, and get educated on the grant process or even how to build a nonprofit organization. It's awesome.

Money saving tip: Sign up for a month, gather info for grants that you are a good match for, then spend the next few months applying. Sign up for another month, repeat. Only pay for months you use the service.

To get you started here are some grant opportunities listed in their February 3rd newsletter:

Creative Capital Announces Upcoming Grant Round for Film/Video and Visual Arts
Financial and advisory support will be provided to U.S. artists producing provocative, timely, and relevant film, video, and visual arts projects....
Deadline: 3/01/11 (Online Inquiry Form)

Rasmuson Foundation Invites Alaska Artists to Apply for Grant Awards
Awards of up to $25,000 will be given to artists in Alaska producing or performing work that reflects any of the state's diverse cultural and aesthetic communities; the program welcomes online applications and presentation/interpretation projects....
Deadline: 3/01/11

California Community Foundation Invites Applications for Los Angeles Visual Artists Fellowships
Professional development grants of up to $20,000 will be given to emerging and mid-career Los Angeles artists working in the visual arts....
Deadline: 3/04/11

Proposals Sought for Moving Walls Documentary Photography Exhibition Addressing Social Justice Issues
The Open Society Foundations invite emerging and veteran photographers to submit a body of work for consideration in the Moving Walls 19 group exhibition; a travel grant for the New York opening is available....
Deadline: 4/01/11

More Requests for Proposals Here.