Application Procedures



A preliminary letter of inquiry is not required prior to submitting a proposal. Site visits or interviews may be scheduled if the Council requires additional information.

Most grants will range in size from $1,000 to $10,000. The Council will not consider more than one request from an organization in a 12-month period. Grantees who have received previous support from the Council are required to submit a full narrative and financial report on the previous grant, which must be approved before a new request is considered.

 

Proposal
Proposals must be no more than 5 pages long and include the following information:
• A brief description of the organization’s history, purpose and activities
• A statement of the need for support and the population to be served
• A description of the how the planned project will address the stated need

Required Attachments
• Grant Applicaction Cover Sheet (please, download, fill, and print)
• Organizational operating budget for previous, current and next fiscal years
• Project budget, including all expenses and income
• List of current and projected funders of the organization and the project
• List of Board members, including affiliations
• Copy of the organization’s 501 (c) 3 determination letter from the IRS
• Most recent audited financial statement
• List of principal staff with qualifications

Submission Dates
The Board meets quarterly to review eligible requests. Completed proposals, with all required attachments, must be postmarked or received no later than 5:00 pm on or before the following deadlines. In the event that a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, requests may be submitted by 5 p.m. on the following business day.

 
Proposal Deadline Board Meeting
February 15 April
May 15 July
August 15 October
November 15 January

 

Notification of Board actions will be provided within three weeks of each Quarterly Meeting.

Proposals should be sent to:
Paula Jones
President
Harper Court Arts Council
1525 E. 53rd Street
Suite 720
Chicago, Illinois 60615