Cultural Opportunity Grant Information

2023 Application Deadline

The deadline for the Cultural Opportunity Grant will be November 17, 2023 at 5:00 pm. Grants will only be accepted via our online process from October 16 through November 17 at 5 pm. If you need special consideration please email us on our Contact page.

Requests must conform to the objectives found in our priorities listed in the Plan for Cultural Development in Marion County. Successful grantees will be notified by December 15, 2023 with awards received in January 2024 at a MCDC awards reception.

Who Can Apply?

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to incorporated non-profit organizations qualifying as tax-exempt organizations under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

Unincorporated groups or individuals can apply if sponsored by a tax-exempt organization or local unit of government for the purposes of the grant proposal. Grant award funds will be made to the sponsoring tax-exempt organization. The sponsoring non-profit must indicate that it has authorization to act as your fiscal agent. This may come in the form of a board resolution or motion stating that the organization is legally able to serve as your sponsor and identifying an authorized official. If the proposal is successfully funded, the sponsoring non-profit official will sign the contract. Documentation outlining this relationship should be attached to the application or mailed to arrive by the grant deadline.

Applicant organizations must maintain their registered headquarters in Marion County.  Awarded funds must primarily benefit Marion County residents.

MCDC is unable to supplant funding lost from school budgets, but we encourage groups concerned about lack of resources for cultural education to partner with an existing 501(c)(3) sponsor or form their own.

What Do We Fund?

MCDC grants are awarded in amounts up to $3000 and are meant to support a project or event, or to fund part of an ongoing project.  Applications requesting more than $3000 from MCDC will not be considered.  Applicants must show that they have $1500 in matching funds (cash, in-kind services or good or other funds) for the proposal, meaning MCDC funds should not be the sole support for the project.

Successful grant applications will be those proposals that:

• Result in a demonstrable benefit to the residents of and visitors to Marion County.
• Fulfill one or more of the following priorities:
  • Priority 1: Promote awareness of Marion County’s cultural assets and their value.
  • Priority 2: Strengthen communities by upholding diverse cultural traditions as well as vital urban centers and the distinctive character of small towns and neighborhoods.
  • Priority 3: Inspire youth to engage in creative expression and heritage activities and support their efforts to develop cultural awareness and proficiency.
  • Refer to our Cultural Plan for detailed priorities

As a general rule, grants will not be awarded directly to a commercial enterprise. Exceptions to the normal exclusion might include strategies for marketing commercial enterprises that are part of a larger cultural tourism proposal aimed at stimulating the economic vitality of a community or area within Marion County.

How to Apply

Grant application is made online. Please fill out the application completely.

Grant Awards

Notification will be made to all applicants as to the status of their funding request. Grants that are funded will receive an award letter and contract via email. MCDC holds an annual awards reception where grantees receive their award.  Return of the signed contract agreement signifies acceptance of the award and consent to execute the proposal and expend the funds in the stated period.

Recovery of Grant Awards

In the event of non-compliance with the conditions of the grant award, the corporation may recall the award, both the amount of expended funds and unexpended balance together.

Final Reports

Individuals and organizations receiving Grants must complete a Final Report online. Reports must be submitted by December 31 of the grant year. For example, if you apply in Fall 2023, those funds are for use in 2024, you should submit a final report no later than December 31 of 2023. Details are also included in contracts that all awardees receive and sign.

All grantees are subject to audit by the Oregon Cultural Trust.