ARTIST GRANTS PROGRAM FUND

The BCA Foundation’s Artist Grants Program Fund makes grants and philanthropic funding accessible to Vermont artists or small arts organizations that may not have 501 (c) 3 status. 

In this Fiscal Sponsorship model adopted by the BCA Foundation (“BCAF”), projects are supported through a pre-approved grant relationship, rather than having BCAF assume ownership or responsibility of the project in question. Each project approved in this program remains the sole responsibility of the grantee seeking funding from BCAF, with the grantee fully liable for managing its own tax obligations, vendor relations, and compliance reporting to regulatory agencies, if any. The BCA Foundation’s role is to receive grants and donations in support of the project, to grant funds, at its discretion, to the project, and to assure that the project will use the grant funds received to accomplish the ends described in the grant proposal.

If you are an artist and would like to inquire about submitting an application for preapproval, contact Sara Katz  at skatz@burlingtoncityarts.org or 802-865-5356.

BCA Foundation recommends that artists establish a relationship with professional advisors prior to submitting an application and accepting grant funds through this program. BCA Foundation cannot and will not provide advice concerning potential forms of business operation or entity, tax liabilities or tax reporting matters.

Important Points for Applicants:

Tax liability

  • Grant funds are not necessarily exempt from income tax liability. Grantees are responsible for their own tax reporting and liabilities.
  • Personal or business income taxes are not an eligible expense for receipt of grant funds and will not be approved as a line item for any project budget by the BCA Foundation Board of Directors.
  • BCA Foundation will issue a form 1099 (“Miscellaneous Information [Return]) for the tax year equal to the amount of funds disbursed by BCAF. BCA Foundation will not issue 1099 corrections except in an instance of BCAF error.
  • BCA Foundation will disperse grant funds to the entity and address submitted on the grantee’s form W9 (“Request for Taxpayer’s Identification Number and Certification”). Contact and address information on project invoices submitted to BCAF must match the information provided on the grantee’s form W9.
  • BCA Foundation will not revise or modify the identity of a project’s named grantee after a grant agreement has been executed.

Paying vendors

  • BCA Foundation will not pay vendors or subcontractors for the project on behalf of the grantee. BCA Foundation will distribute grant funds directly to the grantee based on project invoices provided per the grant agreement.
  • Grantee is responsible for paying vendors and subcontractors directly, as well as preparing necessary information or tax forms for vendors

Reporting

  • Grantee is required to maintain books and records that allow for efficient reporting to BCA Foundation upon request.
  • BCA Foundation requires at minimum a Final Report to distribute the final 25% of all grant funds available for a project.

Cost of Fiscal Sponsorship

  • BCA Foundation will retain 7% of donations received for a project to administrate the grant.

Donors

Though BCA Foundation acknowledges the intentions of its Donors and welcomes their recommendations, Donors are required to sign an agreement recognizing that recommendations are advisory only and are in no way binding upon the BCA Foundation. All grants must be approved by the BCA Foundation Board of Directors.

If you are a generous donor and would like to inquire about making a donation to The Artist Grants Program Fund or to an artist’s pre-approved project, Director of Philanthropy at (802) 865-7595 or jcameron@burlingtoncityarts.org.