Apply for a Grant

Application Deadline

The FY 2014-15 cycle deadline as past  The next cycle FY 16-17 UETF deadline to be announced.

Sign up for our email newsletter to receive arts-related alerts and be notified about the next UETF deadline.

• View the full process timeline for the previous cycle.
• How to submit an application

How the Process Works

Every two years, the UETF awards funding to arts and cultural projects dedicated to enhancing our community.

The next two-year cycle will start in 2015.  After applications are submitted, each one is reviewed by City staff and then forwarded to the UETF Committee for ranking and selection. UETF Committee recommendations are sent to the Mayor and finally to the City Council for review before final approval.

Following notification of approved projects by Spring 2015, contracts for services will be drawn up between the organizations and the City. Projects may begin after the UETF funding is available July 2015, and the contract is approved.

NOTE: Urban Enhancement Trust Fund earnings vary with economic conditions.

• In the 2010-2011 cycle 41 projects ranging from $1,200 to $46,000 were funded for a total of $900,000.
• In the 2012-2013 cycle 23 projects ranging from $2,000 to $48,000 were funded based on projected interest earnings for a total of $610,000.
• Funding for 2013-2014 projects is approximately $300,000

Who Can Apply

Proposals for cultural services projects must be submitted by:

1. Non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organizations. Note: Fiscal agents that are willing to assume responsibility for the grant may sponsor one or more organizations that do not have their own nonprofit status.
2. The organization must be dedicated to enhancing Albuquerque’s cultural vitality in the area of visual art, music, theater, dance, history or literature.

What Types of Work Do We Fund?

UETF funds projects, not operating expenses. Following are important criteria used to evaluate each project.

1. All projects must take place within the Albuquerque city limits.
2. All projects should have a favorable economic or cultural impact on the city and advance Goal #7 (specifically, subgoal DCC# 44) of the City’s Performance Plan. That goal aims to build a city where "Residents appreciate, foster, and respect Albuquerque’s arts and culture." Learn more about this goal.

Important Policies

• Typical funding ranges do not exceed $25,000 per project.
• UETF is a two-year cycle. Funds become available for services provided under an executed contract after July 1st of the fiscal year.
• UETF funds projects, not operating expenses.
• Expenditures of UETF awards for services shall not violate the New Mexico State restrictions of public donations to private entities.
• UETF is typically not the sole source of funding for most projects. Projects should leverage other funds, in-kind or cash, and the services provided must be equivalent in value to the funding received.

How We Rate Applications

All four sections of the application must be completed. Our review committee ranks applications for funding based upon the following criteria and characteristics.

SECTION 1 (Project Description) and SECTION 2 (Quality of Organization)

EVALUATION CRITERIA: The quality of the project, the organization, and the artists/professionals/staff involved, combined will contribute approximately one-third towards the rating of your application.

SECTION 3 (Impact on Community)

EVALUATION CRITERIA: The impact of the project on the community, including the number of people involved in, and affected by the project, comprises approximately one third of the rating of the application. However, this does not mean only high numbers will receive higher ratings. Projects involving and affecting moderate to lower numbers of people may have a higher quality of impact on the individuals involved and therefore could receive a higher rating.

SECTION 4 (Budget)

EVALUATION CRITERIA: It is essential that the submitted budget be reasonable, balanced, and represents a fair market value of services for dollars requested.

The scope of all budget costs should be as complete as possible. Each cost should be a separate line item. Budget items should include:

1. The requested funding from UETF
2. Funding from other sources
3. In-kind contributions

The budget narrative should describe briefly how the UETF funds will be used for this project. Describe all other sources of cash funds and in-kind contribution for this project including city, county, state, and federal grants or contracts for services, other non-profit organizations’ contributions, earned revenues and other community support.

How to Submit an Application

All applications MUST be received by the deadline noted at the top of this page. No late applications will be accepted.

What to Send

First Round of UETF Application review:

The organization applying for UETF funding will be asked to submit a Statement of Interest to include the following information on your organizations letter head.

1. Description of the organization that is requesting funding

2. Description of the proposed project; participants involved; impact on the community; and potential location of proposed project.

3. Appropriateness of the project to the organizations mission

4. Requested funding amount for FY 2014-15

Statement of Interest letter not to exceed two pages at 12 pt font. Anything less than 12 pt font will not be accepted.

Please email your Statement of Interest to Uetf@cabq.gov no later than 4 p.m. date and time to be announced.

Second round of UETF application:

You will be notified if your organization is recommended for the second round of review. At that time you will be sent the full UETF application and asked to submit the following:

NOTE: If this is a project with multiple segments or phases, list each component separately in every part of the application.

1. All applicants must submit a copy of their IRS 501c3 Letter of Determination as a PDF.

2. A copy of your most recent fiscal year IRS Form 990 as a PDF.

3. If applicable, an APS Endorsement Statement.

The above materials ONLY will be accepted if you are recommended for the second round of application review.

NOTES: The application sections are limited to maximum amounts of words. Please prepare the narrative to accommodate the word limits. Also, additional materials sent won't be distributed to the evaluation committee.

Send Via Email

NOTE: Emailed applications are strongly preferred.

Download the Application and e-mail your completed application to Matt Carter, UETF Coordinator at uetf@cabq.gov

subject line: UETF Application

OR

Send Via Mail

Send a completed application to:

City of Albuquerque, Cultural Services Department
Public Art Urban Enhancement Program
P.O. Box 1293,
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Attention: UETF Coordinator

NOTE: Hardcopy applications must be typed, using a legible font in at least a 12 point size, and include the additional IRS forms and, if applicable, APS Endorsement Statement.

OR

Hand Deliver

Deliver completed application to City/County Government Complex, One Civic Plaza, Public Art Urban Enhancement Program, 6th Floor, Room 605, Albuquerque, NM, Attention: UETF Coordinator.

NOTE: Hardcopy applications must be typed, using a legible font in at least a 12 point size, and include the additional IRS forms and, if applicable, APS Endorsement Statement.