Grants FAQ

Am I eligible for a NAC Grant?

Please refer to individual grant guidelines for specific eligibility for each grant.

INDIVIDUALS

  • Must be at least 21 years old (must provide proof of age in the form of a driver’s
    license/ID or other official document such as a passport or birth certificate)
  • Must be a current Nevada resident and have been in residence for at least one year
    prior to the date the grant application is submitted (must provide proof of residency in
    the form of a Nevada driver’s license or ID renewed at least one year prior or other
    official document such as a utility bill, paystub, or lease dated at least one year prior
    with applicant’s name and address listed)
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent resident status
  • Must not be enrolled as a degree-seeking student
  • Must not be currently incarcerated
  • Must not be a current Nevada Arts Council staff member, board member, or
    immediate family

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (including nonprofit private schools)

  • Must have federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
    Code (Fiscal Agents are not accepted in most grant categories)
  • Must have active incorporation status with the Nevada Secretary of State showing
    evidence of good standing at the time of application. An indication of active status
    confirms that the nonprofit corporation is authorized to conduct business in the State
    of Nevada and has met all licensing and corporation requirements. Applicant
    organizations can check their status here:
    https://esos.nv.gov/EntitySearch/OnlineEntitySearch
  • NEW IN FISCAL YEAR 2023: Beginning in April 2022, all organizations applying for
    funding from the Nevada Arts Council will be required to have a Unique Entity ID
    (UEI) from SAM.gov in alignment with requirements from the National Endowment for
    the Arts. This UEI will take the place of a DUNS number, which will no longer be
    required. For more information: https://www.nvartscouncil.org/grants/resources-forgrant-applicants/
  • Organizations located in states that border Nevada may apply for a grant if they are
    incorporated in Nevada with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. However, the application
    must clearly demonstrate that the majority of the project (at least 75%) serves Nevada
    communities and all awarded funds must be used to support Nevada communities
  • Must be in compliance with all applicable Nevada state laws

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS:
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (including federally recognized tribes)

  • Agencies that exist within the same governmental entity are eligible to apply independently when they have different/distinct mission statements and their own separate advisory boards. Multiple departments/facilities within one agency may not apply independently; each agency must collectively determine the programs or projects for which to request funding

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES

  • Limited to no more than one grant to the same academic department per fiscal year. Projects must serve a broad community outside the institution and generate area-wide arts involvement. Grants may not support the institution’s internal programs

PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES

  • Individual schools and libraries within the same district/system may apply independently if they have their own budget and facility
How do I apply for a grant?

All applications and Final Reports must be submitted using the new online system. Please read the grant guidelines fully. When you are ready to apply for a grant, see the resources below to help guide you through the basics of using the new system.

To create an account, log-in, or view current grant opportunities, go to: https://nevadaartscouncil.submittable.com/submit.

RESOURCES:

What grants can I apply for?

INDIVIDUALS

In FY23 individuals can apply for the following grants (if they meet all eligibility requirements in the guidelines):

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

In FY23, Nonprofit Organizations can apply for the following grants (if they meet all eligibility requirements in the guidelines):

UNITS OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

Public Institutions can apply for the following grants (if they meet all eligibility requirements in the guidelines):

Can I or my organization apply for more than one grant during the year?

INDIVIDUALS

If eligible, individuals may receive the following grants in the same Fiscal Year:

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

If eligible, organizations may receive the following grants in the same fiscal year:

What are the upcoming grant deadlines (for Fiscal Year 2023)?
What is the NAC Grants Cycle?
  1. Submit application using our online grant management system (https://nevadaartscouncil.submittable.com/submit).
  2. NAC staff reviews application for eligibility.
  3. Non-competitive grant applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness throughout the year by NAC staff. Eligible applications are awarded in the order in which they are received while funds remain available. Grants are contingent on available funding as approved by the NAC Board.
  4. Competitive grant applications are reviewed and evaluated in an impartial environment by panels of in-state and out-of-state arts specialists, artists, and educators. The panelists score grant applications and make funding recommendations to the NAC Board. Panelists are selected by Nevada Arts Council staff based on their artistic discipline and level of expertise and experience in the arts and culture. All panelists go through a training process and review all applications and support material prior to the panel meeting. During panel meetings, only the panelists participate in the discussion and scoring of applications. Panelists are required to disclose all known conflicts of interest with any grant applicant and abstain from the discussion and scoring of the specified applicant(s). A conflict of interest shall be deemed to exist if a panelist or any member of a panelist’s immediate family:
    • Has direct involvement in the operation, management, or serves on a board of directors or trustees of an applicant
    • Has a direct ownership interest or investment interest in an applicant
    • Is employed by or volunteers for an applicant
    • Receives or has the right to receive, directly or indirectly, remuneration pursuant to any arrangement for compensation with an applicant
  5. After panel meetings are completed, the NAC Board convenes in a public meeting to discuss the grant panel review and to vote on final grant allocations. Per NAC Board decision on September 20, 2019, grant applications with an average score of less than 70 will not be funded.
  6. Grantees receive an official grant award letter and packet which includes legal and reporting requirements and deadlines. Applicants not recommended for funding are notified after NAC Board meeting.
  7. Final Reports are required from all grantees. Grantees failing to submit a Final Report by the stated deadline will be ineligible to apply for following year grants until the document is received and approved.
What is a Unique Entity ID (UEI)?

The federal government previously required organizations and public institutions to have a DUNS number to receive federal grant awards, but they have transitioned to the new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through SAM.gov as the primary identifier for all entities receiving federal funds. Beginning in 2022, all organizations and public institutions applying for funding from the Nevada Arts Council will be required to have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov in alignment with requirements from the National Endowment for the Arts. Individuals applying for Nevada Arts Council funding do not need to have a Unique Entity ID (UEI). 

Can I find out what panelists said about my grant application?

Grant applicants will be notified via email of the date and time of the open public meeting during which a panel will be reviewing their application. The NAC encourages applicants to observe panel meetings in person or to listen via internet or teleconference options. Panel discussions provide insights to effective grant writing and program evaluation. Applicants are requested to refrain from contacting panel members before or during the panel meeting process. Applicants are not required to attend grant panels, nor will absence at these meetings prejudice application review.

After the panel, grantees may request a copy of their panel comments by emailing grants@nevadaculture.org.

What can NAC grant funds be used for?

This differs for each grant, so please read each grant guidelines fully before applying. In addition to the list below, other costs may or may not be allowable depending on the grant
program. If in doubt about a particular cost, please contact Nevada Arts Council staff. Non-allowable
costs include:

  • Any portion of a project that duplicates costs in grants pending with, or received directly
    from, the National Endowment for the Arts
  • Any portion of the same project in multiple grant applications
  • Any portion of completed projects
  • Anything specifically forbidden by Nevada state law or federal law
  • Capital expenditures for land or general-purpose equipment with a cost over $2,500
  • Cash prizes
  • Competition awards
  • Fees for filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service
  • Fines, penalties, or debt collection costs
  • Travel outside Canada, Mexico, the United States, and its territories and possessions
  • Fundraising efforts or the money spent in order to raise additional funds (such as social
    events and benefits)
  • Hospitality or entertainment expenses (including food, beverages and gratuities for openings,
    receptions, parties or other hospitality functions)
  • Journalism, historical or academic documentary film, and electronic media arts that do NOT
    demonstrate significant artistic emphasis, consideration, and distinction
  • Legal fees or litigation costs
  • Lobbying expenses
  • Performances of a prurient nature
  • Preparation for, or travel to, competitions (except for Poetry Out Loud participants)
  • Projects with implicit religious content that may be perceived as advancing a religious
    purpose
  • Publication subvention
  • Reduction of debt including interest expenses paid on loans, debts, or borrowed capital
  • Renovation, remodeling, restoration, or new construction
  • Reserve funds
  • Salaries and overhead of government agencies, public institutions, and public and private
    schools, colleges, and universities
  • Student scholarships for academic credit or awards for student work
How do I submit my final report?

A link to your Final Report form will be emailed to you as soon as the NAC receives your initital grant paperwork (Terms and Conditions form, Cash Request Form, etc). Please see the resources below to help you fill out and submit your Final Report online:

FINAL REPORT RESOURCES

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms

Authorizing Official – An individual in your organization who is legally authorized to obligate the organization to contract. For most organizations this would be the president or treasurer of the board of directors. The Authorizing Official may be different from the Contact Person.

Capital Expenditures – The costs of permanent equipment, construction and repairs that increase the value or useful life of buildings or equipment. Includes endowments and reserve accounts.

Contracted Services – Includes the sale of workshops, classes or other professional services performed by the applicant organization for other community organizations; government contracts for performance, touring or residency fees.

Indirect Costs – Indirect costs are defined as the expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with a particular grant or project. They may include administration, personnel, or other allowable expenses.

In-Kind Contributions – In-kind (non-cash) contributions demonstrate both community support and the true cost of producing a program or project or operating a nonprofit arts/cultural organization. In-kind contributions are provided by volunteers or outside parties. Donated goods and services must be necessary to the organization; that is, they are goods or services with cash value which the organization would have to purchase if not donated. An example of an in-kind contribution is a venue provided free of charge, but which would normally be rented for cash.
Independent Sector, a national organization, provides current volunteer time/value per state. Check http://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time?s=volunteer%20value for current rates.

Operating Costs – Costs to the applicant organization related to the day-to-day operations of the organization and not related to one specific project or program; including administrative salaries and benefits, payroll expenses, insurance, facility space rental, utilities, contracted and professional services, storage, postage, subscriptions, shipping and hauling expenses.

Outside Fees & Services:
Artistic – Payments to firms or persons for the artistic services or consultant services of individuals who are not considered employees of applicant organizations and whose services are specifically identified in the application. Examples: guest professionals such as artistic directors, jurors, conductors, curators, dance masters, composers, choreographers, visual and performing artists, etc.
Technical – Payments to firms or persons for the technical and production services by other persons who are not considered employees of the applicant organization. Examples are
lighting crews, stage managers, costume crews, art packers, installers, preparators and other contractors.

Personnel:
Administrative – Payments for employee salaries and benefits of executive and supervisory administrative staff, program directors, managing directors and support staff.
Artistic – Payments for employee salaries and benefits for artistic directors, conductors, curators, composers, choreographers, designers, visual, performing and literary artists.
Technical – Payments for employee salaries, wages, and benefits, as well as production specifically identified within the application for technical management such as: technical directors; wardrobe, lighting, sound, and stage crews; video and film technicians; and exhibit preparators.

Public Component – An activity of a project that is advertised and open to the general public, typically without charge.