The Eastside Arts Initiative (EAI) plays an integral role in furthering the arts in Eastern LA County by providing funding for arts programming while supporting the innovative work of local artists and non-profit arts organizations.
OPENS: February 27, 2025
DEADLINE: April 15, 2025, 11:59PM
GRANT AWARDS: By end of June 2025
INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual informational meeting for Q’s & A’s about the EAI’s funding priorities, grant guidelines, and application process.
Thursday, April 3, 7PM (Please note this meeting has been changed to 7PM)
GRANT AMOUNTS $
- INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS: May apply for grant between $2,500 to $10,000. Must apply with a fiscal agent. (See “Responsibilities of the Fiscal Agent” at end of these guidelines)
- ARTS ORGANIZATIONS: May apply for a grant between $10,000 to $25,000. Must be a 501C3 non-profit organization in good standing with the IRS and State of CA.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
Grants are awarded through a competitive process and scored on the merits of the proposal based on these five funding priorities:
- Significance: Program fills an arts/cultural need in the community and has long-lasting value.
- Distinction/Innovation: Concept is creative and innovative offering unique experiences.
- Approach: Implementation and outreach plans are well-thought-out, such as how goals will be executed within a specified period.
- Suitability: Budget and goals are realistic.
- EAI Partner: Program will help further the arts in Eastern LA County and opens pathways to opportunities in the arts and entertainment fields.
IMPORTANT
- For questions or technical support, please email the EAI between 8am to 6pm at: arts@eastsideartsinitiative.org. The message must include full name, phone number, name of organization (if applicable) and specific question/s.
- Please do not call or leave a phone message.
- During the registration process and application, information entered must be about the direct applicant, not the fiscal agent or the person helping to complete the application.
- An individual artist does not have 501c3 Tax ID and must not enter the fiscal agent’s Tax ID in the registration section. All information needed for the fiscal agent is requested in the application under the “Fiscal Agent” section.
- Review the grant guidelines closely.
- Review the grant application closely and cross reference with the EAI funding priorities.
- Download and print the project budget template to help plan out proposal funding needs.
- Take the grant application tutorial for the technical aspect of application.
- Use the correct grant application link according to applicant type: “individual artist” or “arts organization”.
- Ensure that all documents and links included in the grant application open easily, do not require passwords, and accessibility does not expire.
- Keep a copy of grant proposal in the unlikely event it is lost due to a technical malfunction.
ELIGIBILITY / REQUIREMENTS
- Grant funding is available only to individual artists or non-profit arts organizations from and/or serving one or more of the following Eastern LA County communities: Westlake/Rampart, Downtown LA to East L.A; Northeast LA to the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys; and the Southeast LA/Gateway communities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, El Monte, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, South Gate, Vernon and Walnut Park unincorporated.
- Artists may only apply with a fiscal agent that is an established 501c3 non-profit arts organization. (See “Responsibilities of the Fiscal Agent”)
- Artists’ resumes must summarize a minimum of two years of artistic work history and accomplishments, including present work in the arts.
- Arts organizations must be established 501c3 non-profits in good standing with the IRS and the State of California.
- Public art projects must be permanent installations. Applicants must include signed letter from property owner and permit from the respective municipality (if applicable) confirming the site and specifications.
- Grant funding is not available for in-school programming, assemblies or directly to schools or government agencies.
- Grants are available to artists and arts organizations for partnerships with schools or government agencies where arts programming can be offered free to the community.
- Prior EAI grant recipients must provide closing report before applying for new grant. (This does not apply to EAI emergency grant recipients).
- Grant must be utilized directly as proposed, and within one year of grant award, or funds must be returned.
- EAI grant closing reports are due two months following the one year anniversary of grant receipt.
- EAI logo or recognition must be included in program related marketing materials, such as flyers, social media, press materials and other public information.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
ELIGIBLE ARTS DISCIPLINES
- Costume Designer
- Creative Crafts
- Dance
- Digital and Media Arts
- Film
- Graphic Arts
- Literary Arts
- Make-up Artist
- Music
- Photography
- Production Assistance
- Recording Engineering
- Set Design
- Technical Arts
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
*Commercial printing, advertising, marketing DO NOT qualify
“SHOW YOUR CREATIVITY” – VIDEO EXAMPLE REQUIRED
Video must include example of proposed work or of applicant's existing work.
- VIDEO (Required)
- This is an opportunity to share your creative work or vision for your project.
- Maximum NO MORE than two minutes (more than two minutes will be disqualified).
- Film in 1080p or higher (may use Smart Phone).
- Video must have full rights and clearances for promotion, including all music; and may not be commissioned for commercial use.
- If video is submitted in foreign language, must include English-language subtitles.
- Applicant agrees that the video furnished may be retained for file, reference, and archival purposes, and will be viewed partially or in its entirety during review of the grant application.
- Do not use Instagram or any other social media format for this video. Must provide a URL link for access to working video.
- Video URL link must work. See grant application for URL instructions.
- IMAGE (Optional to also include for visual arts program)
- See application for upload link and acceptable formats such as photos, renderings or others
- Applicant agrees that the image furnished may be retained for file, reference and archival purposes, and will be viewed partially or in its entirety during review of the grant application.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FISCAL AGENT (required for individual artists):
A fiscal agent is an organization who agrees to be responsible for grant funds on behalf of the grant recipient.
- Must be established for five or more years as a 501C3 non-profit arts organization.
- Receives and is responsible for the grant funds on behalf of grant recipient.
- Reviews grant proposal to understand the program deliverables and fiscal obligations before applicant submits proposal to the EAI.
- Along with the applicant, is responsible for closing report if grant is approved and when closing report is due.
- Legally required to: maintain its own records of the grant expenditures/disbursements; keep receipts for at least three years following receipt of the grant; make financial records related to the grant available upon request; distribute funds directly to the grant recipient in accordance with the grant proposal and on disbursement schedule upon mutual agreement between grant recipient and Fiscal Agent; and is responsible for required tax forms with grant recipient.
- Provides a letter (on organization's letterhead) signed by both the Executive Director and Board President to be included in grant application confirming the organization will serve as the applicant's fiscal agent and in the letter must list the responsibilities listed below. (This is not an MOU between the applicant and fiscal agent).
- The EAI Website provides a list of available fiscal agents if needed. See the “Discovery” tab.