Grants to Florida Nonprofits, Agencies, Tribes, Schools, and IHEs for Arts Programs in Eligible Locations

Cultural Grants

Agency

Foundation

GrantWatch ID#

143915

Funding Source

Marion Cultural Alliance Inc
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

Geographic Focus

USA: Florida: Ocala/Marion County

Important Dates

Conference Date: 05/07/25
Deadline: 07/18/25 5:00 PM ET

Information contained in this post may be based on the previous cycle. Guidelines will be updated as they become available.

Grant Description

Grants to Florida nonprofit arts organizations, government agencies, schools, Tribes, and IHEs in eligible locations for arts-related programming. Applicants are advised that required registrations must be completed prior to applying. Funding is intended for activities within the disciplines of arts, culture, sciences, history, or heritage. Eligible activities include performances, festivals, arts education, and the commissioning of new works. All funded projects must be open to the public and benefit the residents of Ocala/Marion County.

Projects/Programming based in arts and culture, science, or history that takes place in Marion County and are open to the public. Exhibits, performances, festivals, arts education, outreach programs, and art-based community development are examples of typical projects. It is recommended that professional artists or arts administrators be involved in the planning and execution of each project. For arts education programming, teachers must have an arts background. Administrative costs can be included up to 15% of the project budget.

Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Marion County arts and culture, history, heritage, and science nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.

- Applicant organization must have a current 501(c)3 status for a minimum of two years as of the grant deadline, in good standing with the State of Florida Division of Corporations and IRS. MCA will verify the organization’s current 501(c)3 status.
o The applicant must document they are one of the following:
 A public agency governed by a county, municipality, school district, institutions of higher education, or an agency of state government
 A not-for-profit, tax-exempt Florida corporation incorporated or authorized as a not-for-profit corporation, in good standing, pursuant to Chapter 617, Florida Statute. (Some private schools may be determined to be not-for-profits under Chapter 623, Florida Statute.
 Designated as a tax-exempt organization as defined in Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Exemption must be issued in the name of the applicant organization.
 Federally recognized Indian tribal governments
- The nonprofit 501(c)3 must be in Marion County or the grant project must occur in Marion County, Florida

o “Friends of organizations” are eligible to apply only in lieu of the parent nonprofit organization

For additional eligibility information, see: https://mcaocala.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024_2025-MCA-Grant-Guidelines.pdf#page=3

Ineligible

Organizations are not eligible if they are:
- Other designated Local Arts Agencies
- Fraternal or sports organizations
- Political causes, candidates, organizations, or campaigns
- Media Companies
- Fiscal agents
- Organizations that are adjuncts to for-profits organizations

Subgrants cannot support general operating expenses.

For additional information regarding restricted activities, see: https://mcaocala.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024_2025-MCA-Grant-Guidelines.pdf#page=4

Pre-Proposal Conference

May 7, 2025: Grants Workshop (12–1pm)

Brick City Center for the Arts
23 SW Broadway
St Ocala, FL 34470

Register at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mca-2025-cultural-grants-workshop-tickets-1337902595679

Pre-Application Information

Timeline:
• May 5, 2025: Portal Opens Online
• May 1 – June 30, 2025: Courtesy Review
• July 18, 2025 (5pm): Grant Deadline
• August 29, 2025: Funding Notification Status
• September 12, 2025: Mandatory Workshop for Grantees
• November 15, 2025: Grants Announced at Applaud 2025

Staff may contact applicants for additional materials or clarifying questions.

The nonprofit must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) through the Federal Government to receive funding from MCA/NEA. To learn more about getting a UEI, https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/technologytransformation-services/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-informationkit/unique-entity-id-is-here Caution: do not wait until the grant deadline to register with SAM.gov to receive your Unique Entity ID.

Securing your UEI video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uv1YNAsINk,

Additional Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$60,000.00

Estimated Size of Grant

Grant awards may range from $1,000-$10,000. However, the grant amount requested may not exceed 50% of the total program or project costs.

Term of Contract

Grant Period: September 1, 2024-June 30, 2025

Contact Information

Application: https://mcaocala.org/grant-opportunities/mca-cultural-grant-form/

Contact for application questions or technical support:
Grant Manager
Jaye Baillie, APR
MCA Executive Director
23 SW Broadway Street
Ocala, Florida 34471
jaye.baillie@mcaocala.com
352.369.1500

Grant Committee Liason
Liley Ivey, MCA Exerience Coordinator
Lila.Ivey@mcaocala.com
352.369.1500

RFP & Supporting Documents

Before starting your grant application, please review the funding source's website listed below for updates / changes / addendums / conferences / LOIs.