Summary
Tacoma Creates is a voter-approved initiative to increase access to arts, culture, heritage, and science experiences throughout Tacoma by reducing barriers to access and expanding offerings, particularly for underserved youth. Eligible non-profit arts, culture, heritage, and science organizations may apply for funding that helps them expand equitable access to public programs, increase opportunities in neighborhoods throughout Tacoma, expand educational options for youth, and build sustainability for continued services. Contracts for funding will go to organizations that demonstrate specific support and benefits for people and communities in Tacoma, based on the questions and evaluation criteria described in the Application Guidelines.
This category is open to organizations that meet all five eligibility requirements, or that meet the eligibility exceptions, as described in the Eligibility for Funding section below. Organizations that apply in this category may request a minimum of $3,000, and up to $60,000 per year. Applicants in this category may propose a single program or multiple programs throughout the year. Applicants may propose general public programs (open to adults or all ages), or youth education programs, or both, and must demonstrate a commitment to Tacoma Creates’ vision for vibrant, equitable, and inclusive cultural programs. The funding request may be up to 50 percent of the total cost of the proposed programming; applicants must demonstrate at least a 1:1 match of other resources to support the work, which may include volunteer time, and donated materials and space.
New in 2023 – There are two application forms within the Impact Funding category:
- Level A: for organizations requesting between $3,000 and $19,999, or for organizations only proposing Beyond the Bell / Club Beyond classes
- Level B: for organizations requesting between $20,000 and $60,000
The application review panel will consider funding for Level A and Level B applications separately, to better support newer and smaller organizations, and those that are proposing programming that is smaller in scope. Both levels have the same overall application components and the same evaluation criteria.
What Tacoma Creates Funding Can Support
Tacoma Creates funds can support a wide variety of public programs that advance arts, culture, heritage, and science, that take place within Tacoma city limits. This includes, but is not limited to: presentations, workshops, exhibitions, events, festivals, and educational programs for all-ages. Programming may be presented in person and/or virtually/online. Programs must generally be open to the public, with the exception of Public School Cultural Access Programs that are specifically for Tacoma Public Schools / Chief Leschi Schools students or teachers, or education programs for court-connected youth. Tacoma Creates funding can also support general organization expenses and capacity building efforts that are connected to the public programming work.
Eligibility
Tacoma Creates has specific eligibility requirements, based on Washington State and City of Tacoma regulations, which you can read more about here. There are five primary eligibility areas, and organizations that meet all five may apply for either Impact Funding or Comprehensive Organizational Support. Organizations that do not meet all five, but do meet the exceptions listed below, may apply in the Impact Funding category.
Here is how to see if your organization is eligible to apply:
- Primary Purpose
Your organization’s primary purpose – meaning your overall mission and the majority of your activities – must be to advance and/or preserve arts, culture, heritage and/or science, using the definitions listed on page 2.
- Exception: Business District Associations and Neighborhood Councils recognized by the City of Tacoma may be eligible in the Impact Funding category (see Special Categories below).
- Non-Profit Status
Your organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, incorporated under the laws of Washington State and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Exception: if your organization does not have this non-profit status, but meets the requirements for Primary Purpose, Location, and Program Delivery, you may apply for Impact Funding using a Fiscal Sponsor that is a non-profit organization. You can find more information about Fiscal Sponsorship on this document. You will need to submit a letter of commitment from your Fiscal Sponsor in order to apply. Your organization must be a group of people working together towards a specific mission or purpose, and you must have an organizational bank account and a City of Tacoma business license.
- Location
Your organization’s official business address is within Tacoma city limits. This is confirmed by the address registered with the IRS, and on your City of Tacoma business license.
- Exception: if your organization’s official business address is outside Tacoma, but within Pierce County, you may still be eligible. If your organization provides at least 65 percent of your public programming in Tacoma, and you meet all of the other eligibility requirements listed here, you may apply in the Impact Funding category.
- Program Delivery
Your organization must directly provide cultural programming or experiences to the general public within Tacoma city limits.
- There are no exceptions to this requirement. Please use this link to verify programming locations, as there are some locations that use “Tacoma” in their address that are technically outside of Tacoma city limits.
- Track Record
Your organization has a two-year history of providing cultural programming or experiences to the general public in Tacoma.
- Exception: if your organization does not have a two-year history, but meets all other eligibility requirements listed here, you may apply in the Impact Funding category.
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
There are two additional types of organizations that are eligible to apply for Impact Funding:
- Business District Associations and Neighborhood Councils
Active Business District Associations and Neighborhood Councils recognized by the City of Tacoma may apply for funding for neighborhood-based arts, culture, heritage, and/or science programs or events, especially fairs and festivals, but must have a Fiscal Sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) organization in Tacoma that meets the Primary Purpose criteria of advancing or preserving arts, culture, heritage, and/or science.
Affiliate Cultural Programs within a larger non-profit
Established and distinct cultural programs that meet the Primary Purpose, Location, and Program Delivery criteria, and are part of a larger non-profit, public-serving organization, may apply if the following additional eligibility criteria are met:
- Independent mission: Have a published mission statement independent of the parent organization
- Independent board: Have a board or steering committee that guides the program, independent of the parent organization’s board
- Independent budget: Have a distinct, balanced budget, independent of the parent organization
- Track record: Five years providing public programming in arts, culture, heritage, and/or science
- Staff: Have dedicated, paid staff, equal to at least one full-time employee
- Matching Funds: Provide a 1:1 cash match for Tacoma Creates funds
- The parent organization must:
- Be a public-serving 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) non-profit organization
- Be based within Tacoma city limits
- Retain no more than 10 percent of any Tacoma Creates funding to support administrative services
- Submit a completed Affiliate Organization Agreement, which can be found here
Exclusions from Eligibility
Certain kinds or organizations are not eligible for any category of Tacoma Creates funding, based on Washington State legislation (
RCW 36.160). Excluded from eligibility is any agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions; any municipal corporation; any organization that raises funds for redistribution to multiple cultural organizations; and any radio or television broadcasting network or station, cable communications system, internet-based communications venture or service, newspaper, or magazine.
Application Support
These free workshops will cover how the application process works and how to develop a strong application. All applicants are encouraged to send a representative to one of the three workshops. Each workshop will have a different focus: we encourage you to attend the one that best matches your organization’s situation, but we will cover the basics at all workshops so you may attend whichever one fits your schedule. A recording of the workshop held via Zoom will be posted at
tacomacreates.org/application-assistance.
You do not need to sign up in advance for either of the in-person workshops, though space is limited and we encourage you to arrive a few minutes early. For the virtual workshop, you will need to register through the link provided below.
We encourage applicants to read the complete guidelines in advance of attending the workshop, and come with questions. The presentation portion of the workshop will be about an hour, with time allotted at the end for questions and discussion.
Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 12:30-2:00pm
- Zoom – register in advance for this workshop:https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpd--vqzotHN3AjqcyVW_9Yj50SYj92Y6T
- We recommend that you plan to attend via laptop or desktop computer, so that you will be able to see the slides shared during the workshop.
- Focus: New applicants in either funding program – new organizations and/or new staff with returning organizations
Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 11am-12:30pm
- Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., room 243
- Nearest bus routes: 1, 11, 13, 16; paid street parking available
- Focus: Comprehensive Organizational Support
Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 4:30-6:00pm
- South Tacoma library branch, 3411 S 56th St.
- Nearest bus route: 3; free parking available in library lot, as well as street parking
- Focus: Impact Funding
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH COMMUNITIES RISE
Tacoma Creates is partnering with Communities Rise to offer free technical assistance in developing applications for Tacoma Creates – Impact Funding.
Organizations are eligible for this opportunity if they:
- Have operating budgets of $200,000 or less
- Serve communities impacted by systemic oppression, which includes communities of color, immigrant and refugee communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, persons with disabilities, low-income communities
- Meet all funding eligibility requirements for Tacoma Creates; contact tacomacreates@cityoftacoma.org with any questions about eligibility)
This opportunity is open to organizations that have been funded by Tacoma Creates in the past, as well as organizations that have not yet applied to, or received funding from Tacoma Creates.
Communities Rise can provide up to two, 45-60 minute sessions of free consultation to support understanding of the application process and requirements, and/or to offer feedback on draft proposals. Consultants can help by explaining the Impact Funding application guidelines, brainstorming how to respond to the application prompts, or editing a draft application. Please note: consultants cannot write the application.
To request this consultation support, visit this webpage, where there is a short form to complete. We encourage you to request this support as soon as possible, and no later than March 14th, in order to allow time for scheduling and to give you the most amount of time to work on your Impact Funding application.
If you have any questions about the support from Communities Rise, contact Zoë Erb, cbclinics@communities-rise.org.
About Communities Rise
Communities Rise is a non-profit organization that fosters movements to build power in communities impacted by systemic oppression. A core focus of their work is to provide tools and trainings that build capacity for small non-profit organizations that work in and for historically marginalized or resource-limited communities. Learn more at www.communities-rise.org.
Application Deadline
March 27, 2023, 11:59pm
Funding Application Guidelines
Download the 2023-24 Tacoma Creates Impact Funding guidelines (PDF) for complete funding information, including eligibility.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through our online application form. Go to tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit and select the 2022-2023 Impact Funding form.
Questions?
You are welcome to contact Tacoma Creates staff at any time:
Lisa Jaret, Tacoma Creates Program Manager: ljaret@cityoftacoma.org or 253-591-5161
Clarissa Gines, Tacoma Creates Coordinator: cgines@cityoftacoma.org or 253-591-5174
Rico Lastrapes, Tacoma Creates Program Technician: rlastrapes@cityoftacoma.org or 253-591-2038