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Application Guidelines

NYC Cultural Innovation Fund Goals

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to contributing to the cultural vitality, energy and diversity that define New York, the Foundation's home since its founding in 1913.

New York City is currently experiencing tremendous economic, demographic, and social transformation, opening new possibilities to enhance the City's traditional role as a global capital of creativity, culture and diversity and to ensure the future vitality of its cultural sector.

The goal of the Rockefeller Foundation's New York City Cultural Innovation Fund is to recognize and support programmatic innovation and new opportunities in the cultural arena that will strengthen and advance the role the arts play in the future of the City.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, organizations must meet the following criteria:
  • Organizations must have tax exempt or other charitable status
  • Organizations must have an annual operating cash budget of at least $250,000
  • Organization must be located within the five boroughs of New York City
  • Organizations must submit the tax information and supporting documents as outlined in the notification e-mail
Two-year grants, each totaling between $50,000 and $250,000, will be made for projects that fall into one or more of the following categories:
  • Programming and premieres of new artistic work that demonstrate innovation and can activate new directions in the artistic breadth and depth of institutions in the visual, performing and media artists
  • Creative engagement with the issues shaping New York City's future cultural and civic agenda
  • Partnerships that bring cultural and community-based institutions together with universities and the private sector
  • Interventions designed to confront longstanding bottlenecks and limitations on the expansion of cultural vitality with fresh approach and solutions

*Please Note:

  • APPLICATIONS, TAX FORMS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
  • The Foundation will announce the Cultural Innovation grants in November 2007.
  • Organizations awarded funding in the 2007 round will not be eligible to apply for another award in 2008
  • It's a good idea to look through the Help page before filling out your application.

Don't forget to send in your completed Tax Questionnaire

As part of your grant application, you must fill out the TAX QUESTIONNAIRE. The Tax Questionnaire ALSO asks for the following documentation:
1) Your organization's IRS letter of exemption and classification
2) Your organization's most recently filed Form 990 and Schedule A
3) Your organization's most recent audited financial statement

The completed tax form and supporting documentation should be emailed to CIFTaxInfo@Rockfound.org or faxed to 212-852-8439.

If you need assistance or clarification regarding the Tax Questionnaire, send an email to CIFTaxInfo@Rockfound.org with a description of your problem.

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