Local Government Challenge Grant Guidelines
Purpose of Local Government Challenge Grant Program
The purpose of the Local Government Challenge Grant program is to encourage
local governments to support the arts. The grant provides an incentive
to localities to contribute local tax revenues to the arts. It is
designed to improve local resource flexibility, foster local arts
coalitions and provide opportunities for local governments to partner
with private enterprise.
Deadline
May 1
Who is eligible for the program?
Applications for the Local Government Challenge Grant are
ONLY accepted from any city, county, or town government.
What can be funded?
Local governments may request matching funds for support of 501(c)(3)
arts organizations, defined as those organizations whose primary
purpose is the arts (production, presentation or support of dance,
literary arts, media arts, music, theater, or visual or related arts),
that are incorporated in Oklahoma, and have their headquarters and
home seasons, or activities equivalent to a home season in the state.
What cannot be funded?
Support for non-arts organizations. Units of government or parks and
recreation departments and educational institutions such as schools
cannot be considered arts organizations.
Matching funds and/or granted funds CAN NOT be used for improvements to city owned property or to support city employee salaries, and CAN NOT be used to match other OAC grant requests.
Application Limitations
One application per local unit of government per year. A local government that
has not approved its budget by the grant deadline may apply conditionally and
confirm the application in writing to OAC by July 1.
Funding Limitations
- Funding will not exceed $5,000 and must be matched at least one-to-one with local tax revenues through the local government’s annual budget.
- Funds awarded from the Oklahoma Arts Council and funds appropriated must be assigned specifically towards support of 501(c)(3) arts organizations within the locality.
- Awards are subject to funds available.
Support Materials - Applicants are required to submit the following support materials for the grant application. Support material must be postmarked on or before May 1.
- A notarized affidavit signed by the local government's executive
officer (usually the Mayor or City Manager) indicating that upon
budget approval, local tax revenues will be used to match the requested
amount and distributed as indicated in the application. Note: This
affidavit is required support material. Applications will not be
considered for funding without it.
- A copy of each recipient arts organization's IRS 501(c)(3) determination
letter. Note: This is required support material. Applications will
not be considered for funding without the IRS letter(s) of determination.
Optional Support Material
- Any publications or other materials provided by the arts organization(s) to demonstrate the type of programming or services that it provides to the community.
Payment process
The Oklahoma Arts Council will initiate the approved payment in full
after receiving verification that the payment of the local government’s
matching funds has been made to the 501(c)(3) arts organization.
Generally a copy of the check written to the arts organization will
provide this verification.
Following receipt of the grant funds, local governments are also required to submit verification that the funding received from the Oklahoma Arts Council has been issued to the 501(c)(3) arts organization. Generally a copy of the check written to the arts organization will provide this verification.
Project Timelines
Local projects receiving awards must take place between July 1 and
June 30.