Cultural work comes with the unexpected. Operation emergencies and crises happen, whether loss of executive leadership, eviction from space, financial insolvency, and more. Unforeseen or planned, there are periods when organizations and Tribes experience significant transformational change. Hiring staff for the first time, moving from leasing to owning a space, merging with a partner organization, these are exciting opportunities but can bring uncertainty and instability.

4Culture can provide services by Network of Support Capacity Builders—including coaches, mentors, and consultants—paid by 4Culture directly, for cultural organizations and Tribes needing consulting assistance in times of crisis and transformation.

This program is open to current Sustained Support awardees, who have not already qualified for Network of Support services. This support is always open as long as funds are available. It starts with a conversation with 4Culture staff, and we keep in touch as you prepare your request for support.

Criteria

We’ll look at:

• Quality and Qualifications: thought and reasoning you have put into responding to this emergency or assessing this opportunity, including assembling a qualified and prepared project team. If it’s an emergency, we’ll evaluate the immediacy of need and whether there’s a clear plan for resolving the crisis; if it’s an opportunity, we’ll assess the potential to further your mission.
• Feasibility: your ability to successfully manage this project to gain stability, as demonstrated through the qualifications of those who will be involved in executing the project and your internal capacity to sustain project outcomes.
• Project Impact and Public Benefit: impact of your project on your ability to serve the community.

Due to limited funds, we will take into consideration your financial resources for this project.

Advancing Equity

4Culture recognizes that where an organization or Tribe is based or provides its services can affect access to funding and other resources. Many cultural organizations and Tribes in greater King County have less access to public and private support than those located in Seattle. To take a step towards balancing these disparities, 25% of the available funds for this program are reserved for requests in an Equity Investment area.

How the Network of Support Works

Support is capped at $10,000 in services per organization or Tribe across your current Sustained Support award period. Allow at least two months between submitting your request and the start date of services. Requests with less than two months’ lead time will not be accepted. After you have submitted your request, you will receive an email notification of receipt within one month.

If selected for support, 4Culture staff will work with you to access the Network of Support. Qualified consultants can be found through 4Culture’s Resource Library. Organizations and Tribes cannot have contracted with the selected consultant within the past year.

How to Request Support

Contact Cassie Chinn, Cultural Services Liaison, at to determine eligibility. 4Culture staff will send you an application link after you’ve discussed your project with them.