What is Collaborating for a Creative Community?
Collaborating for a Creative Community or C3, is a two-year funding project of the Center of Wonder designed to enhance Jackson’s creative community through partnerships that promote the youth arts education and accessible arts programming. The initiative recognizes the important role the arts play in learning, enjoyment and vitality in Jackson Hole, and the gap in funding for community accessible projects and programming. C3 is a high expectation grant program, with a deliberate focus on the process of working together to reach a large and diverse audience. Proposals utilizing the Center for the Arts are encouraged.

Who can apply for C3 Grants?
Collaboration Grants require three or more participating non-profit organizations. The Collaborative Grants also require that organizations secure a 1:1 match (in-kind, cash, or a combination of the two).
Jump Start Grants are available for artists and non-profit organizations for projects involving the arts – awards up to $1,000.

When are Grant Applications due?
Collaboration Grant applications are due October 1, 2012 with decisions by October 15, 2012.
Jump Start grants are accepted on a rolling basis beginning on March 1, 2012. Decisions will be made monthly, generally on the second Wednesday of each month. All applications received before that date will be reviewed during the monthly meeting.

Will you fund ongoing projects?
Yes!

If a project receives Collaboration funding, how quickly does it have to start?
Timeframes for this type of funding will vary depending on the scope and duration of the project. Projects are encouraged to start and finish within a 12-15 month time period. Variations from that model may occur, and can be discussed with a C3 program representative.

If a project receives Jumpstart funding, how quickly does it have to start?
Jump Start Grants need to be put into action within six months. Projects that don’t begin within that time frame will be asked to explain the delay for committee review and might be required to return the funds.

If we apply for C3 funding, and are also applying for separate grant funding that has a later deadline (e.g., Wyoming Arts Council or Community Foundation), can this count as our 1:1 match? If we do not receive that funding, do we have to return C3 funds?
C3 grants are designed to serve as bridge or gap funding – filling a niche when extra funds are needed to complete or enhance a project that may already be funded. To be safe, a proposal would be better situated to have the in-kind or cash match accounted for before applying for a C3 grant. However, if this is not a possibility, and expected or pending match funds are not received, the timeline for the project may be adjusted to accommodate more time to secure the match. In any case, the match for the project must be secure before the project begins.

Does in-kind or funding from within the organizations count?
In-kind and organization-based funding are both acceptable ways to arrive at the required 1:1 match. These can be separate or combined; what we are looking for is demonstration that there is internal support for the project.

If my project does not include “the arts” can I still apply?
As long as there is one collaborating organization that is arts or culture based, the application can be submitted. Applicants are encouraged to speak with the C3 team before submitting the grant application.

Why is it necessary to attend planning meetings with C3 program members? How many meetings are there and when will they take place?
Successful collaborative grant projects will require clear communications between the three (or more) participating organizations. Meetings to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the different organizations BEFORE a project is implemented will help solidify responsibilities, and address shortfalls if necessary. The final de-briefing meeting will allow all the point people to review the pros and cons of the project process, and allow C3 representatives the opportunity to understand what works or limits the success of a collaborative project. This type of “group” learning will help advise future grant recipients as well as donors to the C3 initiative.
Organizational representatives (point people) will be asked to attend up to three meetings with a C3 coordinator:
1) If the grant committee has questions or needs more information about the proposed project, or feasibility of its timeline, a preliminary meeting before grant approval may be requested.
2) A mid-process meeting between the point people and C3 is required. This meeting will help determine if important milestones for the project are being met. The date and time of this meeting will be determined based on the timeframe of the project, but will occur at least 4 weeks prior to the project’s completion.
3) A final evaluation meeting, involving point people from all participating organizations will also be required. This meeting will occur no more than 10 days after the project’s completion, and will replace the need for a written grant report. Documentation of project expenses and accounting will still be necessary. These meetings will be designed to evaluate: the functionality of the process, the ease of the collaboration, as well as the success of the project.

Why do the Collaboration Grants require three or more organizations?
This grant program is designed specifically to encourage organizations to work together to enhance and celebrate the arts. With a model for working together in place, organizations will get more than money for their efforts. Ultimately, it is both the project and the model for collaboration that C3 seeks to encourage and celebrate.

When will I be notified if our project received funding? When will we receive the funds?
Submission deadline for the first grant cycle is March 1st. The Grants Committee will make determinations and contact recipients by April 15. Funds will be distributed by May 1st .
Please note that some projects will be designated “Funded Projects” and a few exciting applications that are not yet ready or are not appropriate as Pilot Projects will be designated “Promising Applications.”

What is the difference between a “Funded Project” and a “Promising Application”?
The Grants Committee is looking for a few projects to be Pilot Projects for the first-ever cycle of C3 funding. These will be projects that have been percolating in the minds of the collaborators for some time and/or have been worked on in some form in the past and will lend themselves well to the quick turnaround time of the initial funding cycle. These projects will be designated as “Funded Projects” and will receive funding from C3. Other projects, those which are in the process of being developed or represent great ideas that are not quite ready, will be designated “Promising Applications” and C3 staff will be available between the 1st and 2nd grant cycles to help develop the ideas.

Questions? Please contact Katherine Dowson, C3 Grant Coordinator, at katherine [AT] centerofwonder [DOT] org or 307.413.1800.