Grants

Guidelines About The NOTA Grants Program

The New Orleans Theater Association (NOTA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which serves as the local presenter for the Broadway Series at the Saenger Theatre. We use the annual revenue derived from that activity to provide support for artistic performances, as well as visual-arts and performing-arts-related services throughout the greater New Orleans area.

NOTA was founded in 1984 as the Civic Light Opera. Over the years it has evolved from a youth arts summer camp to a grantmaking organization supporting all aspects of the arts (music, dance, creative writing, and theatrical arts both behind the scenes and onstage). With over two decades of experience in granting, NOTA’s grants process is now evolving into a new phase. This information sheet is intended to provide some guidelines for preparing and submitting a grant request.

NOTA will consider funding or contributing to programs that focus on any aspect of the theatrical arts,which we define broadly. In addition to specific performances, and programs supporting music, dance, art, creative writing or other theatre-related projects, eligible projects might include panel discussions, a lecture or lecture series, workshops for the general public or special-interest groups such as young people, professional training for members of the local theater community, and event participants including festival or convention attendees. Funding for theatrical events in area High Schools demonstrating particular need is of special interest to NOTA.

The total amount available for distribution varies from year to year based on proceeds of the annual Broadway Series at the Saenger Theatre. In recent years NOTA has awarded between 20 and 30 grants annually. Grants are awarded in accordance with the process set out below.

NOTA board members will make decisions based on applications received. Evaluation of project results will inform decisions about future programs. Innovative, traditional, nontraditional, and inter-disciplinary projects are welcomed. We do not generally fund capital projects.

1. Eligibility:

• 501 (c) 3 nonprofit arts, educational, and cultural organizationsin the metropolitan New Orleans or greater Orleans Parish region or affiliation with a 501 (c) 3 fiscal agent;
• theater-related programs directed by arts or educational professionals with established or developing arts and educational organizations;
• primary or secondary schools in greater Orleans Parish region.

1. Application packages must include the following:
2. Project narrative, preferably one page,including:

• project description, with discussion of any demonstrated need in community for proposed project;
• innovative approach of project (what makes this project different or unique?)
• project director and staff (attach professional resumes);
  NOTE: Program participants need not necessarily be local residents; we encourage projects that bring new theatrical voices, approaches, and visions into the New Orleans community.
• projected number of participants;
• evidence of organization’s success with similar projects;
• description of how the project’s success will be measured;
• contact person who can answer questions about the grant proposal. Be sure and include the person’s name, street or mailing address, email, and phone number.

2. Project Costs and Project Financial Summary forms (see attached):

Note the following required information:

• Have matching funds been received or applied for? (NOTA favors organizations which will commit to match our grant from its own sources at least 1:1 or better);
• project budget must include line items for staff costs, administration overhead, materials, other professional services; venue costs; insurance; publicity; other relevant costs; and contingencies (NOTE: overhead costs should not generally exceed 10% of overall project cost).

3. Attachments (if applicable)

• copy of IRS nonprofit status letterorletter from nonprofit acting as fiscal agent
• copy of most recent financial audit, if available. If no financial audit has been prepared, please include recent P&L statements
• board list (names & addresses)
• up to five pages (8½” x 11”) of recent publicity, press releases, programs, reviews, etc.

NOTE: attach copies – do not send original material as it cannot be returned.

III. Selection procedures:Email a complete package toM.S.Mitchell@cox.net.  Please do not

submit hard copies of your grant application unless absolutely necessary. If you do need to submit an application by hard copy you may mail it to the following:

NOTA Grants Committee
c/o Michael S. Mitchell
5034 Bancroft Drive

New Orleans, LA 70122

Grant recipients will be selected at the sole discretion of NOTA’s Board of Directors.

• Grant requests are accepted at any time. Generally, grant awards will be made quarterly.
• NOTA encourages both traditional and innovative approaches to the performing arts as a way of advancing the community’s exposure to new ideas.
• Grants are made to organizations with 501(c)3 status. Emerging organizations that have not yet been officially designated as nonprofit may affiliate with a fiscal agent that has such status. Proof is required.
• Grant awards will be made around the end of each calendar quarter. Timing may vary depending on circumstances, and NOTA reserves the right not to make grants based on unforeseen circumstances. Grants will not exceed published amounts absent unique and compelling circumstances.
• Grant applicants are encouraged to discuss grant applications with a Board member prior to application. Board members may also review grants and offer suggestions prior to submittal.
• Organizations must supply appropriate financial documentation for projects and required NOTA credit on all program material at the end of the grant. Grants will not be accepted from organizations that do not submit proper documentation of funded activities.
• NOTA favors applications that involve the performing arts in all segments of the community (age, demographics, neighborhoods) and those that feature educational components, public outreach, or community engagement.
• While NOTA believes arts and performance-related activities may be about current events and therefore contribute to community conversations about such events, NOTA shies away from funding projects with primarily political or social content and, in some cases, may require funded projects to carry a disclaimer absolving NOTA of any responsibility for content or authenticity of the project presented.
• Evaluation of applications includes a combination of factors: the anticipated quality of the performance, expected impact on the community, engagement of local artists (at appropriate compensation), public accessibility, educational components (any level), and impact on youth/young audiences.
• Applications are accepted in three categories: emerging groups and experimental projects; established organizations; and organizations with a record of successful NOTA projects for multi-year projects, as follows:

 

Category:  I –  501(c)3 req: yes – Grant length: 1 event/season – Max Amount: up to $5000 – Required Match: None (or fiscal agent)

Category:  II – 501(c)3 req: yes –  Grant length: 1 event/1 season – Max Amount: up to $15,000*  – Required Match: one-to-one

Category:  III (2-year) –  501(c)3 req: yes – Grant length: Up to 2 seasons – Max Amount: up to $25,000/yr* – Required Match: one-to-one

 

*Funding request cannot exceed 10% of annual budget

First-time and emerging organizations should apply in Category I. Based on success in the initial project/year they may apply in Category II.  After 3 yrs of successful programming in Category II, organizations may apply in Category III.  Organizations with an established record of NOTA grant support are eligible for direct support without grant application, per NOTA board discussion.

Organizations must fulfil all requirements set out in the award letter to be eligible for future funding.

“Required match” is intended to be support-in-hand for the project or season (not anticipated from future sources).

Funding levels and application requirements subject to annual NOTA review.

Budgets must be provided.  Eligible expenses include:

• Artists’ fees
• Event production costs, including publicity
• Travel expenses for visiting artists
• Administrative expenses proportionate to time allocated to grant

Ineligible expenses include:

• Capitol expenses
• Food/consumables

See website for examples of projects funded in the past.

NOTA is open to discussing such projects in the future but will evaluate each on its own merits and NOTA’s capacity to fund.

NOTA operates without an office/staff but will respond to questions as soon as possible.  Contacts:

• Mike Mitchell, president: s.mitchell@cox.net
• Lake Douglas, treasurer: wdougl1@lsu.edu
• Leon Contavesprie: lcontavesprie@gmail.com
• Debra Gonzales: dgonzales@redmannlaw.com
• Baty Landis: sblandis@longuevue.com

NOTA Board members will remain in contact with your organization’s representative during the year to monitor the progress of your project. NOTA will execute an agreement with each organization for project funding which will include project description, reporting procedures, funding attribution, etc.