In order to assist with the application and fundraising planning process, we have provided answers to some frequently asked questions about the East Bay Fund for Artists. If you’d like further clarification on a question or have a question not included below, please contact us at ebfa@eastbaycf.org.
Eligibility
Recipients of an EBFA grant from the previous calendar year are not eligible for the current year’s application. You will be able to apply again in future rounds.
No, grants are only available for new works that have not yet premiered.
Artists commissioned by organizations are eligible if they live in one of the nine Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, or Sonoma County). However, one of the primary purposes of the East Bay Fund for Artists grant is to support engagement of East Bay audiences from Alameda and/or Contra Costa counties. Thus, the selection panel will be looking for content in your narrative that explains how the artist will be able to connect with your organization’s audience in the East Bay.
No, individual artists are only eligible to apply if they reside in Alameda or Contra Costa counties.
Yes, all leading artists who are receiving grant funds for the commission must live in Alameda or Contra Costa counties. Supporting artists who are not directly receiving funds from the East Bay Fund for Artists (e.g. company dancers, chorus members, event photographers) do not need to live in these two counties.
No, all individual artists and organizations without 501(c)(3) status must apply with a fiscal sponsor in place. We have resources to recommend if you need assistance with finding a sponsor. To learn more about fiscal sponsors please view more information here. Please email us at ebfa@eastbaycf.org if you’re interested in receiving more information.
Our intention is that works commissioned by the East Bay Fund for Artists should premiere within one year of notification of the grant. Thus, we prefer to support small-budget projects (such as works-in-progress or short films) or projects that are in the post-production phase. If you are unsure whether your film project will fit within the one-year timeline or would like to discuss this requirement in more detail, please contact us at ebfa@eastbaycf.org.
No, there is no minimum annual budget requirement to apply—we welcome applications from emerging and small organizations.
No, the East Bay Fund for Artists no longer requires a commitment of matching funds from individual donors in order to receive an awarded grant. The East Bay Fund for Artists will fund up to 75 percent of the total project budget. (For example, up to $7,500 of a $10,000 project). As well as, 100% of the EBFA grant goes directly to the lead artists.
Application Requirements
Grants from the East Bay Fund for Artists are exclusively to support the lead artist(s) fee for the commission. The funding amount you request should match the amount listed in your project budget for the lead artist fee(s).
We don’t require using our standard project budget template; you may submit an existing project budget in another format.
We require at least one work sample (but no more than two) from the artist being commissioned, but organizations may also submit 1-2 work samples representing previous work that is relevant to the project being commissioned.
Yes.
No. All documentation must be uploaded to the online grant portal.
If you have other questions, please email East Bay Fund for Artists at ebfa@eastbaycf.org.
*Funds for the East Bay Fund for Artists have been generously supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the East Bay Community Foundation and our generous individual donors.