Strategic Initiatives Guidelines
Small and mid-sized organizations are essential to the performing arts ecology. They are the primary incubators for the creation of new works. They play a vital role in the development and employment of artists, administrators, and production staff. They are the creators and animators of many public performance spaces, and their energy brings renewal and excitement to communities.
Years of cuts to operating budgets have been hard on these organizations. They are being challenged to respond to a difficult and rapidly changing environment, but they have few resources with which to pursue innovative strategies for change and development.
Our work is grounded in the belief that change happens when we share hopeful visions of the future, work and learn collectively, think broadly in pursuit of comprehensive solutions, and take a meaningful role in the decisions that affect our lives. Through the Strategic Initiatives program, we provide an opportunity for experimentation, innovation, organizational change, and learning. In this program, we are particularly interested in:
- nurturing new ideas and practice – exploring and developing innovative approaches to tackling tough problems and seizing opportunities; and
- fostering integrated thinking – encouraging rigorous and thoughtful analysis and creating opportunities for dialogue and collaborative learning in order to build knowledge and inform action.
The Foundation intends, through this program, to encourage performing arts organizations as they develop creative and ambitious new approaches to their challenges or ideas that advance their work.
This is not an operating funding program. Nor is it a project funding program, as that is traditionally understood. With our support, organizations have an opportunity, over a three-year period, to implement a strategic course of action which would not be possible under normal budgetary circumstances. It is our hope that successfully implemented plans will make organizations stronger and more resilient, productive, and effective in the execution of their creative mandates.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Professional theatre, dance, music, and opera organizations in Toronto, which have been in operation for at least three years, have charitable status, and have operating budgets under $4 million, are eligible to apply.
The Foundation encourages applications for cooperative initiatives which involve more than one eligible organization.
What are the Funding Parameters?
The Foundation recognizes that the capacity to develop creative, powerful, and ambitious ideas for addressing challenges exists in arts organizations of any size. Consequently, in this funding program, grant eligibility is not tied to the size of an applicant’s budget. We invite applicants to request an amount appropriate to the size of their initiative and to their own capacity to realize it. All applicants may request between $25,000 and $75,000 per year, for a three-year period, representing a total investment from the Foundation between $75,000 and $225,000.
- When developing a budget for your proposal, the Foundation suggests that applicants carefully consider the following.
- Traditionally, the Foundation only approves or declines the entire amount of the request. It is not our practice to rescale or partially fund requests made to the program.
- An organization’s capacity to undertake the proposed initiative is an important assessment criterion for these applications. Applicants may be subject to an additional review, by the Foundation or its representatives, of their organizational capacity and infrastructure.
- Organizations with ambitious ideas but minimal infrastructure may be well served to seek out other partners to help fulfill their initiative.
- For larger requests, the Foundation will be particularly rigorous in our assessment of the applicant’s plans to prepare for termination of funding at the end of the granting period.
- A Metcalf grant can represent a portion of funding for a larger project. When submitting an application that is dependent on other funders, however, an organization should be prepared to discuss the manner in which the initiative could proceed if other funders decline support for it.
- This program will not contribute to capital or endowment fundraising campaigns.
What is the Application Process?
The Foundation will review applications for the Strategic Initiatives program twice annually, once in the spring and once in the summer. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Performing Arts Program Director in advance to discuss their proposals. Applying to this program is a two-step process.
Step One – Letters of Interest
Interested organizations must first submit a letter of interest to the Foundation. This letter should briefly outline the nature of the application the organization wishes to submit, and why. The letter should not exceed three pages. The Metcalf application cover page (PDF) must be attached to the front of this letter.
Please provide one paper copy of the letter (printed double-sided) and submit an electronic version in Word to mjones@metcalffoundation.com. The Metcalf cover page need not be submitted electronically.
Please note that we are unable to consider late or incomplete applications for funding; both hard and electronic copies must be received at the Foundation by 5:00 pm on the deadline date.
Foundation staff will review letters of interest, identifying compelling and appropriate proposals for further consideration.
Step Two – Full Application
Based on the letters of interest, the Foundation will invite organizations to submit full applications. This is not a guarantee of funding. Those organizations invited to submit full proposals should develop an application, not to exceed eight pages, containing:
- a concise history of the company, with brief bios of key individuals;
- a summary of the current artistic and financial position of the company;
- the challenges the company faces, or the opportunities it sees, that are relevant to the proposed strategic initiative;
- the strategic course of action the company proposes to take;
- a description of the changes that are expected to occur as a result of the proposed initiative;
- what the company hopes to learn over the three-year period;
- what process the company will use to evaluate its progress toward these learning goals; and
- how the company will prepare for the termination of funding at the end of the granting period.
In addition, applicants must attach:
- a completed Metcalf Foundation budget form (Excel)
- their most recent audited financial statements; and
- a list of their Board of Directors with their date of election to the Board.
A separate letter of introduction may be included. Additional printed material, such as annual reports or newsletters, may also be provided for background information.
Please provide one paper copy of the proposal, budget, and Board list (all printed double-sided) and submit an electronic version of this material in Word and/or Excel to mjones@metcalffoundation.com. The audited statements and any introductory letter or additional printed material are to be submitted only in paper copy; they need not be submitted electronically.
How Will an Application be Assessed?
Applications will be reviewed by the Foundation's Board and staff, assisted by an advisory panel from the arts community. Reviewers will take into account the company’s history and track record. They will look for evidence of a rigorous strategic review: a thorough and realistic assessment of the current situation, a compelling vision for the company’s future, and a clear description of a well-considered strategic course of action. The proposed course of action should reflect the fact that the Foundation’s investment will be short-term.
Reviewers will want to understand the thinking that went into the applicant’s strategic planning process regarding what the organization is trying to achieve and why it is important; why the initiative is timely, appropriate, and likely to succeed; and how this investment will make a tangible difference to the development and vitality of the applicant.
We believe these initiatives provide an important opportunity for learning, for grantees as well as the Foundation. Therefore, in our review, we will also consider the degree to which the applicant thoughtfully addresses the question of internal evaluation.
Funding decisions will be made by the Board of the Foundation, and such decisions are final. In 2010, the Foundation will support applicants whose initiatives will be completed by December 31, 2013.
How Will We Learn From Our Work?
Successful applicants will provide annual reports to the Foundation. We also meet with grantees every year, so that we can jointly monitor the progress and results of each strategic initiative. You can read more about the Foundation’s approach to evaluation in the How We Learn section of our website.
The Foundation reserves the right to review its ongoing commitments if circumstances arise in the participating companies which indicate the initiative is unlikely to be realized. These circumstances could include failure to undertake activities or to meet goals as described in the proposal; the departure of the artistic or management leadership; an organization’s charitable registration or incorporation being suspended, revoked, or annulled; or severe financial difficulties.
Deadlines
Please see Deadlines.
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