Small Request Funding

The mission of the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) is to enhance the vitality of the city and the quality of life for all Columbia citizens by creating an environment wherein artists and cultural organizations can thrive, and fostering opportunities for creative expression and the preservation and celebration of the city’s multi-cultural heritage.

Small Request Funding

The Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) provides annual funding support to the arts. By contracting with local 501c3 arts organizations to provide high quality arts services and programming in the community, the OCA serves the general public, individual artists and arts agencies. The OCA’s Commission on Cultural Affairs assists in the process by evaluating requests and recommending funding. The mission of Small Request funding is as follows:

The City of Columbia’s arts funding program includes year-round opportunities for arts organizations. "Small Requests" support innovative programs and services that provide unique and one-time opportunities to Columbia’s diverse populations. -adopted January 2002

Please note...this is not a grant program. Allocations of city dollars represent the purchasing or contracting of services from arts organizations. As such, the reach of the OCA into the community is extended and programs of local arts organizations are enhanced with additional dollars.

Eligibility, Guidelines & Requirments

Applicants must either be a single not-for-profit arts agency, a collaboration of arts agencies or a collaboration of an arts agency and one or more not-for-profit agencies, which may be schools, social service agencies and public entities.

Funds are available to arts agencies with total annual budgets of no more than $500,000. Collaborations are allowed, but only with an arts organization holding 501c3 status as the lead agency.
If a project is funded in the OCA's annual cycle, components of it are not eligible to be considered for a Small Request.
Proposed projects should focus on the above-listed mission statement, especially in regard to innovation and uniqueness. In general, already established projects that are held regularly will not likely be funded by the Small Request program.
Proposed projects must occur within the Columbia city limits.
Proposed projects must be matched dollar for dollar with cash, in-kind contributions or a combination of both. Requests cannot be for more than $500.
Funding may not be used for capital improvements, for political or legislative activities or for replacement of normally budgeted funds, such as staff salaries.
Funding is limited to one request per project. If a project is funded in the OCA’s annual funding cycle it is not eligible to be considered for a Small Request. Multiple proposals from the same agency are allowed if they are for different projects.
Available dollars will be reviewed quarterly. No more than 1/4 of the total dollars available plus any balance from the prior quarter will be expended in each quarter. All requests will be reviewed subject to availability of dollars. Applicants are encouraged to contact the OCA to learn the availability of dollars for specific quarters.
Funded projects may not discriminate against any segment of the community on the basis of sex, race, age, color, religion, national origin, economic status, marital status, familial status, ancestry, disability condition or sexual orientation.
A final report is required if the project is supported. Reports are due 45 days after the end date of the funded project.

Quarterly Deadlines

All requests for funding must be in the OCA by the 10^th of the month preceding the beginning of each quarter. Quarters and due dates are: Oct.-Dec. (apps. due Sept. 10), Jan.-March (apps. due Dec. 10), April-June (apps. due March 10), July-Sept. (apps. due June 10).

Review Process

The Small Request Committee of the Commission on Cultural Affairs will review submitted requests quarterly, prior to the October, January, April and July Commission meetings and will present a recommendation to the Commission. Commission meetings are open to the public; applicants are encouraged to attend to hear the review of their application.

To Apply

Contact us for an application form or use our on-line form. If you use the on-line form, you must limit your narrative to the space allowed and do your own addition on the budget page(s).

All applicants are encouraged to contact the OCA in advance of completing an application to discuss the basics of the proposed project, determine eligibility of the applicant and to check if funds are available.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 6015, 1 S 7th Street
Columbia, MO 65205

Telephone:
573.874.6386

Fax:
573.874.7681

e-mail OCA