Lydia McCain Fund

• Amount: $5,000

• Source: Endowment

• Eligibility: Erie County arts organizations

• Application Window: January 1 - March 15

• Grant Activity Period: June - May

• Notification Date: May 30

• Mission:

  • Strategic planning

  • Board development and engagement

  • Creating a case for support

  • Other mission-based next steps (consult with EAC staff for eligibility)

• Operations:

  • Revising policies, procedures, and protocols through the lens of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility

  • Organizational restructuring and recruiting

  • Accessing capacity-building consulting services

  • Other operations-based next steps (consult with EAC staff for eligibility)

• Programs:

  • Assessing and evolving existing programmatic offerings

  • Identifying and activating new relationships in the Erie region

  • Implementing new initiatives that address community needs and gaps in existing programs/services

  • Other programs-based next steps (consult with EAC staff for eligibility)

• Salary support for staff positions

• Fees/stipends for artists and/or contractual personnel

• Facilities costs such as rent and utilities

• Indirect costs (e.g., independent contractor fees)

• Marketing and promotion costs

• Activities with a religious purpose

• Commercial enterprises or activities, including concessions, food, clothing, artwork, or other items for resale

• Capital improvements or land acquisition

• Establishing an operating reserve

• Hospitality, food, or beverages, including alcoholic beverages

• Lobbying activities

• Mortgage interest, fines, penalties, bad debt costs, or deficit reduction

• Reimbursements for expenses incurred outside the grant activity period

• Rental costs for home office workspace owned by individuals or entities affiliated with the applicant organization

• Vehicle purchases

• Visa costs paid to the US government

• Voter registration drives and related activities

• Must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit or grassroots organization with a primary mission centered around the arts

• Must be registered with a primary location in Erie County, PA

• Must not have received a Lydia McCain Next Steps Grant for Arts Organizations within the past three years

• Must not have any overdue grant reports from past funding cycles administered by Erie Arts and Culture

• Must not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status, gender, or gender identity

• Narrative 1: Organizational Awareness and Present Positioning

  • Strategy: Current strategic priorities, how they were defined, and stakeholder input

  • Action: Daily operations and programs supporting strategic priorities

  • Resources: Development efforts, organizational budget, and staff size

  • Preparedness: Organizational culture's readiness for next steps

• Narrative Two: Next Steps

  • Opportunity Present: Describe the strategic opportunity, its alignment with strategic priorities, and its time sensitivity

  • Proposed Budget: Short descriptions for major expenses and additional funding sources if needed

• Organizational Awareness and Present Positioning (50 points)

  • Strategy (15 points): Understanding of current position and strategic direction

  • Action (10 points): Operations and programs supporting strategic priorities

  • Resources (15 points): Financial position and organizational capacity

  • Preparedness (10 points): Understanding of work culture and readiness for change

• Next Steps (50 points)

  • Opportunity Present (40 points): Goals, evaluation methods, and time sensitivity

  • Proposed Budget (10 points): Realistic budget and additional funding sources

Virtual information sessions will be held to assist applicants. Specific dates for these sessions will be announced on our social media pages and via email.

EAC staff review for eligibility, a panel of industry experts scores applications and makes a funding recommendation. The Programs Committee approves that recommendation and presents it to the Board of Directors for final approval. 

• Interim check-in calls with grantees to track progress and identify additional needs

• End-of-cycle round table, oral reports in small peer groups