4Culture

Updated Guidelines and Application for the next biennium will be posted 6 weeks before the deadline

Who Can Apply

King County-based nonprofit and governmental cultural organizations with facilities that provide certain heritage services to the public

Eligible Applicants Include:

Federally-recognized 501(c)(3) historical museums and heritage organizations, preservation
and development authorities

Tier II (Threshold) Eligibility Criteria

Qualifying organizations must:

Have a minimum of two [2] years experience operating a public facility, managing collections, and/or presenting exhibits and programs with a focus on King County heritage to the citizens of King County
Be financially accountable, as reflected in actual and projected budgets or other financial management or accounting procedures, including compilations, reviews or audits.

Tier I Eligibility Criteria

Qualifying organizations must:

Meet Tier II (Threshold) eligibility criteria
Have a current strategic plan adopted by the organization's governing board
Meet a minimum budget size (to be set by the peer review panel).

Only one application is allowed per funding cycle to Heritage Sustained Support or Arts Sustained Support. Organizations cannot apply to both programs.

What Gets Funded

Operations

Applicants apply based on the organization's overall annual accomplishments, not individual projects or programs

Heritage Sustained Support funding may be used for:

Annual operating expenses relating to heritage programs and services which are accessible to King County residents and visitors, and provide public benefit (see definition of public benefit under Obligations of Award Recipients)
Staff salaries, utilities, supplies, fees or services

Heritage Sustained Support funding may not be used for:

Capital construction projects, or for purchase of equipment
Fundraising expenses

Confused by language we use? Check out our glossary of terms

When

2012 Program Deadline: December 5

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How

Competitive selection process and review criteria

The Review Process

Recommendations for funding awards will be made by a review panel composed of professionals from the field, community representatives and members of the 4Culture Heritage Advisory Committee. The panel's recommendations will be forwarded to the 4Culture Board for final approval.

The following review criteria will be used in the panel review process to determine support, if any, above baseline levels in each of the two tiers of funding:

Professional Qualifications & Standards

Professional staff with background and training in a field related to the organization's core mission
Professional standards adopted by the governing board of the organization, including adopted policies and procedures relating to collection and resource management, conservation, historic preservation, archives, or operations
Accreditations or certifications received from professional associations or other agencies, including the organization's participation in the AASLH Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (StEPs), Museum Assessment Program (MAP), and/or the Conservation Assessment Program (CAP)

Quality & Diversity of Programs

Quality of existing programming, and proposed programming, and the relationship of the programming to the mission and goals of the organization. The panel will review onsite evaluations as part of their process (see box below)
Diversity or range of programs available to the public

Public Benefit / Audiences Served / Accessibility

Accessibility of services, including open hours of facilities
Primary service areas
Community outreach, including efforts to expand and/or diversify visitors, membership, staff, and/or leadership
Numbers of citizens served by programs

Heritage Priorities

Organization's contribution to the preservation, conservation or interpretation of resources relating to King County history and heritage
Organization's focus on resources that represent neglected aspects of King County heritage including those defined by theme, ethnicity or geography

Budget

The measure of community support for an organization and/or the organization's commitment or contribution to public service as reflected in its budget, including in-kind contributions from volunteers, the community, and partnering governments
The proportion or percentage of the applicant's budget actually devoted to King County history and heritage purposes

On-Site Review Program

In addition to reviewing the application completed by each organization, 4Culture staff administers an Onsite Evaluation program, in order to acquire detailed, qualitative assessments regarding the quality and community impact of programming offered by organizations applying for Sustained Support.

A group of evaluators composed of community representatives and outside professionals from the field attend events and programs offered by applicant organizations, and provide written reports based on the Sustained Support program's review criteria.

Participation in the Onsite Evaluation program provides valuable additional information to panelists in reviewing Sustained Support applications. New applicants should contact 4Culture staff right away to set up an onsite visit, if possible.

Questions about eligibility? Contact Eric Taylor at 206 296.8688.

Funding from 4Culture programs is awarded on a competitive basis. The following opportunities are available to help applicants prepare applications:

Schedule an appointment with staff to discuss your organization and application.
Applications from previous years are available for review at the 4Culture offices.
A sample application from the online system is available here, for reference purposes only.

If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat software required to view this document, you can download a free Adobe® Acrobat viewer.

Requirements and appeals

Learn about the legal requirements of award recipients, and about the process for appeal of a 4Culture award here.

Public Benefit Requirement

4Culture contracts with all recipients of Heritage Sustained Support funds to provide one or more types of "public benefit" for the funds received.

Heritage Sustained Support program funds provide general operating support for organizations managing heritage facilities that provide public benefits. Funds can be used to offset the expenses and costs of heritage facility operations, including those for staff, utilities, supplies, fees or services. Public benefits provided by organizations may include, but are not limited to:

Free admissions, open hours or public access to heritage resources, programs or facilities
Free or discounted rental or use of facilities by public agencies or nonprofit cultural organizations conducting public benefit activities
Educational services for public schools and students
Services to governmental agencies including city councils, parks or planning departments
Free distribution of resources including publications, audio and video recordings, electronic files and documents provided to libraries, museums, websites and tourist agencies
Creation of publicly accessible research information or files including documents, oral and video recordings and electronic files
Augmentation of existing public service grant projects including those funded by 4Culture or other public agencies
Development of professional practices and adoption of standards that improve public access to resources, provide technical assistance or training opportunities in best practices or that enhance management and protection of resources held in the public trust.
Audience development, diversification of services and enhancement of public accessibility through ADA improvements, services to underserved populations, community outreach efforts or new exhibits, publications or programs
Management of collections or protection of resources relating to King County history and heritage including care of museum and archival collections or protection of landmarked properties and built environment resources

Questions about uses of funds or public benefit? Contact Eric Taylor at 206 296.8688.

Ready to Apply

How to submit your application

STEP 1 - Read all of the above sections
STEP 2 - Prepare your information

You will be asked to submit your application using an online form. In this section, you will find information on how to prepare your application and submit support materials.

At the end of this section, a link will be provided to the Online Application.

Narrative Section Guide

In the online application, you will be asked four narrative questions. Review the following guide to each narrative question for additional help with your application.

How do you define your community? (Consider audiences, content producers, and supporters/volunteers.)

Reference visitation numbers, underserved populations, ethnic diversity of audience, staff and volunteers. Describe the geographic reach of your organization. Address how your organization's mission drives decisions about core operations.

What have been your organization's most significant programmatic accomplishments in the last two years?

Describe significant new or continuing programs and their impact in advancing your organization’s mission, improving outreach, and building your organization's audience.

What have been your organization's most significant administrative accomplishments in the last two years?

Identify professional development among staff or volunteers; advancements in governance and/or financial systems; and achievement of best practices goals.

What do you hope to accomplish in the next two years and what are your challenges?

Outline short-term goals and how they fit to your organization's long-range planning. Discuss how goals will be achieved despite limited funds, staffing, or other challenges.

Support Materials (Required)

You are required to submit the following during the "upload" step of the online application, unless otherwise noted:

Organizational Operating Budget (Required Upload)

Download the three year operating budget form provided below. Enter your estimated operation costs in the Expenses section. Enter your sources of income in the Income section.

Organizational Operating Budget
Adobe® Acrobat is required. Download a free version.

Board List (Required Upload)

Submit a list of your organization's board members and their affiliations in the preferred file format of PDF or Word.

Event List (Required Upload)

Submit a list of your organization's events, programs, and/or primary activities for the most recently completed year. Please limit the list to one page in the preferred file format of PDF or Word.

Note: The online application system will not allow uploads of individuals files larger than 2MB.

Handy tips for success

Paint the clearest picture possible of what your organization is, what it does and why this funding will help achieve your organization's mission
Assume that the panel knows nothing about your organization's work
Don't count on your support materials to explain your organization. Include all pertinent information in the application itself
Double-check the numbers. Make sure the figures in your operating budget total correctly.

STEP 3 - Begin your online application

Note: Once you have started the process of applying online, you can hit "save" after completing the required fields in each section, log out, and your application will remain saved as a draft. You can then return to your application any time before the deadline to continue working or to make changes by logging in with the username and password you created. Once you hit "submit," you will still be able to see your application, but you will not be able to make any more changes

For technical questions about the online application system, contact staff member Brandi Link at 206 296.8707.

This funding opportunity is currently closed. We will reopen the application for this opportunity at least 6 weeks before the next deadline.

START YOUR APPLICATION

Upcoming Workshops

All applicants are encouraged to attend a workshop prior to submitting your application. These free workshops provide you an opportunity to ask questions, understand specific guidelines, and be taken through a step-by-step review of the application process.

There are no scheduled workshops at this time. Check back 6 weeks before the deadline.

2011

Organization	King County Council District	Award
Black Heritage Society of Washington State	2	$1,000
Bothell Historical Museum Society	1	$4,000
Center for Wooden Boats	4	$18,000
Densho-The Japanese American Legacy Project	2	$18,000
Des Moines Historical Society	5	$2,000
Duwamish Tribal Services	8	$10,000
Eastside Heritage Center	6; 9	$9,000
Enumclaw Plateau Historical Society	9	$1,000
Fall City Historical Society	3	$3,000
Filipino American National Historical Society	2	$1,000
Greater Kent Historical Society	5; 7	$3,000
Highline Historical Society	5; 8	$9,000
Historic Seattle	4	$10,000
Historical Society of Federal Way	7	$3,000
History Ink	4	$15,000
Issaquah Historical Society	3	$11,000
Kirkland Heritage Society	6	$1,000
Maple Valley Historical Society	9	$1,000
Museum of Flight	8	$10,000
Museum of History and Industry	2	$18,000
Nordic Heritage Museum	4	$16,000
Northwest African American Museum	2	$13,000
Northwest Railway Museum	3	$13,000
Northwest Seaport	4	$3,000
Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society	2; 4	$8,000
Rainier Valley Historical Society	2	$9,000
Redmond Historical Society	3	$1,000
Renton Historical Society	5	$10,000
Seattle Genealogical Society	2	$3,000
Shoreline Historical Museum	1	$8,000
Snoqualmie Valley Historical Society	3	$4,000
Southwest Seattle Historical Society	8	$5,000
Steamer Virginia V Foundation	4	$8,000
Tolt Historical Society	3	$1,000
Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association	8	$7,000
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington	1	$1,000
WA State Holocaust Education Resource Center	4	$12,000
Washington State Jewish Historical Society	4	$10,000
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation	4	$12,000
White River Valley Museum	7	$18,000
Wing Luke Asian Museum	2; 7	$20,000

2010

Organization	City	Award
Black Diamond Historical Society	Black Diamond	$1,000
Bothell Historical Society	Bothell	$4,000
Center for Wooden Boats	Seattle	$20,000
Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project	Seattle	$18,000
Des Moines Historical Society	Des Moines	$2,500
Duvall Historical Society	Duvall	$3,500
Duwamish Tribal Services	Seattle	$11,000
Eastside Heritage Center	Bellevue	$8,500
Enumclaw Plateau Historical Society	Enumclaw	$1,000
Greater Kent Historical Society	Kent	$3,500
Highline Historical Society	Seahurst	$7,500
Historic Seattle	Seattle	$11,000
Historical Society of Federal Way	Federal Way	$3,500
History Ink	Seattle	$15,000
Issaquah Historical Society	Issaquah	$11,000
Kirkland Heritage Society	Kirkland	$3,500
Maple Valley Historical Society	Maple Valley	$1,000
Museum of Flight	Seattle	$15,000
Museum of History and Industry	Seattle	$15,000
Nordic Heritage Museum	Seattle	$20,000
Northwest African American Museum	Seattle	$12,500
Northwest Railway Museum	Snoqualmie	$11,000
Northwest Seaport	Seattle	$2,500
Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society	Seattle	$7,000
Rainier Valley Historical Society	Seattle	$8,500
Redmond Historical Society	Redmond	$1,000
Renton Historical Society	Renton	$8,000
Seattle Genealogical Society	Seattle	$3,500
Shoreline Historical Museum	Shoreline	$7,500
Snoqualmie Valley Historical Society	North Bend	$2,500
Southwest Seattle Historical Society	Seattle	$5,000
Steamer Virginia V Foundation	Seattle,	$8,000
Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association	Vashon	$7,000
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington	Seattle	$3,500
Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center	Seattle	$11,000
Washington State Jewish Historical Society	Seattle	$8,500
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation	Seattle	$12,500
White River Valley Museum	Auburn	$18,000
Wing Luke Asian Museum	Seattle	$20,000

2008-2009

Organization	City	Award
Black Diamond Historical Society	Black Diamond	$4,000
Bothell Historical Society	Bothell	$2,500
Center for Wooden Boats	Seattle	$11,500
Densho: Japanese American Legacy Project	Seattle	$14,000
Des Moines Historical Society	Des Moines	$2,500
Duvall Historical Society	Duvall	$2,500
Eastside Heritage Center	Bellevue	$9,000
Georgetown PowerPlant Museum	Seattle	$2,500
Greater Kent Historical Society	Kent	$3,500
Highline Historical Society	Seahurst	$9,000
Historic Seattle	Seattle	$14,000
Historical Society of Federal Way	Federal Way	$2,500
History Ink	Seattle	$14,000
Issaquah Historical Society	Issaquah	$10,000
Kirkland Heritage Society	Kirkland	$5,000
Maple Valley Historical Society	Maple Valley	$5,500
Museum of History & Industry	Seattle	$23,000
Neely Mansion Association	Auburn	$2,500
Nordic Heritage Museum Foundation	Seattle	$20,000
Northwest Railway Museum	Snoqualmie	$14,000
Northwest Seaport	Seattle	$3,500
Rainier Valley Historical Society	Seattle	$9,000
Redmond Historical Society	Redmond	$1,000
Renton Historical Society	Renton	$10,000
Seattle Veterans Museum	Seattle	$1,000
Shoreline Historical Museum	Shoreline	$10,000
Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum	North Bend	$8,000
Southwest Seattle Historical Society	Seattle	$7,500
Steamer Virginia V Foundation	Seattle	$2,500
Tolt Historical Society of Carnation	Carnation	$1,000
Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association	Vashon Island	$5,500
Volunteers for Outdoor Washington	Seattle	$5,500
Washington State Jewish Historical Society	Seattle	$5,500
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation	Seattle	$9,000
White River Valley Museum	Auburn	$20,000
Wing Luke Asian Museum	Seattle	$20,000

So you've been approved to receive Heritage Sustained Support funding. What now? Here's what to expect

Notification

4Culture will send a letter to notify you of your award when it has been approved by our Board of Directors.

Contract Packet

In order to receive your funds, your organization must contract with 4Culture. The contract spells out the services you will provide and the public benefits described in your application.

4Culture will prepare the necessary forms and mail you a Contract Packet as soon as possible. The Contract Packet will contain:

Check List - Outlining what is included and required
Two (2) copies of your Contract (awards over $5,000) or Letter of Agreement (awards under $5,000)
One (1) Blank 4Culture Invoice - includes your organization and contract information
One (1) Organization Evaluation Form

Depending on the status of any forms we already have from you on file, the Contract Packet may also contain:

One (1) W-9 Form
One (1) ADA Form

After you receive and review the contract packet, please:

Sign and return both copies of your Contract or Letter of Agreement
Fill out and return any additional required forms. If you need a notary public for your ADA form we can provide that service.
Please note: You will fill out and send in your invoice only at the end of the awarded year.

Once the required forms are received by 4Culture, we will:

Return one signed copy of your Contract or Letter of Agreement for your records
Review all other forms and make sure they are filled out correctly

Requirements for your 4Culture Heritage Sustained Support award

Onsite Evaluation: Your organization will be required to participate in an onsite evaluation. Contact Bret Fetzer about scheduling this requirement.
Obtain images: 5-8 publishable images documenting project activities for use by 4Culture to publicize its funding programs; including photo credits, permission to publish (please get permission of the photographer if not a member of your organization, and written permission from the parents of the children photographed), and caption information. Images should be submitted on a DVD or CD_ROM in a digital format (.jpg or .tiff formats are preferred). For more information about our image criteria, please review our Photo Documentation Guidelines.
Please acknowledge 4Culture funding. This helps to ensure there will continue to be funds available in the future! You must include this logo on project acknowledgements, brochures, press releases, programs, posters, flyers, advertisements, signage, etc.
Send Information about public presentations, exhibits or openings to Brandi Link. We may be able to post information about your project on our blog and assist with outreach.
Complete the services outlines in your Contract: every contract will include a Scope of Services detailing the public benefits your organization will provide during the awarded year
Provide us with Final current year organizational budget figures
Complete an Organization Evaluation Form

Getting Paid

Upon completion of your Scope of Service, please submit the following:

A completed 4Culture Invoice, which is included in your Contract Packet. Final organizational budget figures, in whatever form is best for you.
Completed Organization Evaluation form.
A Final Project Budget (in whatever form is best for you)
5-8 images documenting your project, including permission and image credits.
Sample Marketing Materials featuring the 4Culture King County Lodging Tax logo

NOTE: Your Invoice must be signed.

Stay in touch throughout this process

Let us know what your plans are and if you have any questions or concerns along the way. We are proud to support your organization and we hope we can assist you in making it a success! Please contact Eric Taylor for help.

APPLY