Public workshops are held in December to explain the Fund's application process and distribute forms to new applicants. The application deadline for general operating funds is mid-February for funding in the following fiscal year.

The applicant review is an ongoing, six month process. GFTA staff review applications, make site visits and consult experts in the field, critics and other funders, then present evaluations to the Citizens Advisory Committee appointed by the City Administrator. The volunteer members of the broadly based Citizens Advisory Committee assure public accountability and offer their fiscal, management, and cultural expertise to the grant-making process. In addition, public meetings are held twice a year, before and after the funding cycle, for applicants to present their organizations' needs directly to the Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee presents its recommendations to the City Administrator prior to notification of groups by letter of the funding decision in August. The successful applicant signs a contract for the period July 1 to June 30, the City's fiscal year, and must keep the Fund apprised of its progress through a year-end report. New grant recipients are required to attend a workshop in September on how to file reimbursement requests.

Funding Timeline

December

• New applicant workshops held for following fiscal year cycle.
• Applications distributed to current recipients and new applicants.
• Online application made available through GFTA website.

January

• Applicant questions answered.

February

• Application deadline.
• Online application removed from GFTA website.

March

• Applications acknowledged and checked for completeness.

April

• Application review continues.
• Citizens Advisory Committee's Spring Public meeting held for applicants to present their organization's needs.
• Citizen's Advisory Committee deliberations begin.

May

• Application review continues; Citizen's Advisory Committee deliberations continue.

June

• Application review continues; Citizen's Advisory Committee deliberations continue.
• Final reports distributed to current recipients.
• Affirmative action reports due for organizations with 50+ employees.

July

• Application review completed.
• Final reports due from previous year's award.
• Citizen's Advisory Committee funding recommendations presented to City Administrator.

August

• City Administrator reviews and finalizes funding recommendations.
• Applicants notified of City Administrator's decision on funding.
• New fiscal year's contracts processed; reimbursements begin on new awards.
• Staff available to answer applicant questions regarding funding decisions; Citizen's Advisory Committee members available to meet with applicants, if necessary, to explain funding recommendations.

September

• Contract processing continues.
• Staff and Citizen's Advisory Committee members continue to discuss allocations with applicants, if necessary.
• Reimbursement procedures meeting conducted.

October

• Citizen's Advisory Committee Fall Public meeting held for applicants to comment on process and make suggestions.

November

• Citizen's Advisory Committee meets to review process, recommend improvements and consider new projects.