SMAC Quick Support for Organizations in Minnesota

The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Quick Support for Organizations grant program provides organizations with quickly accessible funding for planning activities and small projects. The program is supported by Minnesota voters through a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Grants are available for five project types: planning for a specific large-scale public art project, small arts projects, small equipment purchases, arts organization development, and arts organization start-up. Public art planning may include artist requests for proposals, community input, resource and cost assessment, and feasibility or sustainability research. Small arts projects may include exhibits, performances, community art classes outside school systems, and public art. Awards are available for up to $2,500. Organizations may receive no more than $20,000 in total Southwest Minnesota Arts Council grants during a fiscal year. Eligible equipment purchases must strengthen an organization's capacity to serve regional arts needs. Arts organization development may include staff or board training, consultants for fundraising, marketing, financial development or board development, community-interest surveys, and development of new arts programs or services. Arts organization start-up activities may include developing articles of incorporation and bylaws and filing for 501(c)(3) status. Projects must conclude no later than June 30, 2027. Grant funds cannot be spent before the authorized project start date. Combined support from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Southwest Minnesota Arts Council cannot exceed 90 percent of total project cash expenses. Applicants must be located in the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council service region, which includes Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties, as well as Pezihutazizi/Upper Sioux Community and Cansayapi/Lower Sioux Community. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations described under Section 501(c)(3) with Articles of Incorporation on file with the State of Minnesota and official units of Minnesota city, county, or state government. Organizations that are not yet registered nonprofits may apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor. A signed fiscal sponsor agreement is required, and the sponsor is legally responsible for proper management of funds and completion of the project. Arts organization development and start-up projects are restricted to organizations whose missions focus primarily on the arts. Applications without an arts focus and activities of for-profit projects, organizations, or businesses are ineligible. Other exclusions include projects primarily involving education within a school system, certain regular staff costs for organization development and start-up projects, out-of-state project and travel costs, new building construction, real estate purchases, endowments, fundraising events, religious socialization activities, lobbying, regranting, scholarships, general contingency expenses, and payment of debts or costs incurred before the eligible project period. Activities must be open to the public and must consider economic, geographic, physical, cultural, racial, ethnic, age, and gender accessibility. Applicants with overdue Southwest Minnesota Arts Council reports are ineligible. Applications may be submitted through the online grant system, by email using the available Word application and required attachments, or on paper by mail or arranged drop-off. Applicants are encouraged to contact staff before applying and may request a staff draft review at least one week before the applicable deadline. Application materials include a description addressing the organization's ability to accomplish the project and the project's impact, demographic and financial information, organizational contacts, artist resumes or biographies, samples of artists' work, a project budget, a board member list, and an EIN. An evaluation tool is optional, and a fiscal sponsor agreement is required when applicable. Southwest Minnesota Arts Council staff first review applications for eligibility and completeness. Applicants with missing requirements or eligibility concerns have 48 hours to make corrections or provide additional information. Eligible and complete applications advance to a grant review panel. Ability to Accomplish the Project represents 33 percent of the score and considers planning, timelines, personnel, budget, and marketing or publicity where applicable. Impact of the Project represents 67 percent and considers measurable changes resulting from the project, fulfillment of the selected project type's intent, and participation by underserved or underrepresented communities. Priority points may also be added for first-time applicants, qualifying organizations led by or primarily serving underserved or underrepresented communities, and applicants from counties receiving three or fewer Southwest Minnesota Arts Council grants in the prior fiscal year. The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Board makes final funding decisions. Applications are due by 11:59 pm on the first day of each month from August 2026 through May 2027, or until funds are expended. Board action occurs on the fourth Tuesday of the month, notification follows within the next few days, the earliest project start is the first day of the following month, and estimated payment is the fifteenth of the following month if the contract is completed. Awarded grantees must sign an electronic contract within 30 days of notification and provide a completed W-9 before payment. The full award is then issued in the next semi-monthly payment cycle. A final report is due within 60 days after the project end date. Program questions, accommodation requests, and draft review requests may be directed to Caroline Koska or the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council office at info@swmnarts.org, 507-537-1471, or 800-622-5284.

Contact SMAC before applying to confirm fit and expense eligibility; request staff draft review at least one week before the deadline; present a clear plan with reasonable timelines, capable personnel, an itemized responsible budget, and an appropriate marketing plan; clearly identify intended project changes and how they will be measured; show how the selected project type fulfills its stated intent; demonstrate access for underserved or underrepresented communities where applicable; avoid contact with SMAC panelists or board members about the application after the deadline and before board action.