P.O. Box 6015
300 S. Providence
Columbia, MO 65205
573.874.6386
OCA@GoColumbiaMo.com

 

Small Request Funding

The Office of Cultural Affairs 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 Office of Cultural Affairs' 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 Office of Cultural Affairs into the community is extended and programs of local arts organizations are enhanced with additional dollars.

Eligibility, Guidelines & Requirements

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 Office of Cultural Affairs' 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 $750.
• 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 Office of Cultural Affairs' 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 Office of Cultural Affairs 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 Office of Cultural Affairs by the 10^th of the month preceding the beginning of each quarter. If the deadline falls on the weekend, the deadline is moved to the next Monday. 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

UPDATE: Small Request Funds for FY13 have been depleted. Wince the remaining funds in Small Request were allocated in the third quarter, applications will not be accepted in the fourth quarter.

Contact us for an application form or use our online form. If you use the online 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 Office of Cultural Affairs 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.

Final Report Form

Click here to download the Final Report Form to complete and return to the Office of Cultural Affairs.

Contact Information
P.O. Box 6015
300 S. Providence
Columbia, MO 65205
Phone: 573.874.6386
Email: OCA@GoColumbiaMo.com