Perenchio Foundation
Perenchio Foundation

APPLICATION WINDOW FOR OPERATING SUPPORT IS CLOSED

We are not accepting requests at this time.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR OPERATING SUPPORT

Operating Support Grant Overview

The Perenchio Foundation is dedicated to supporting the arts in Los Angeles, with a focus on visual and performing arts organizations that partner with, support, and represent historically underfunded communities. We believe that the arts play an essential role in creating a more equitable, culturally vibrant, and inclusive region.

Our multi-year Operating Support Grants provide LA County arts organizations with unrestricted funding, which may be used for costs including but not limited to payroll and benefits for staff, rent or mortgage, leadership and staff development, and strategic planning. By offering flexible support with a commitment for multiple years, we aim to help arts organizations strengthen their infrastructure, plan from a place of greater confidence and stability, build capacity, and address immediate needs.

Requests from organizations that have not received funding from the Perenchio Foundation will be prioritized.

 

Timeline

Application Opens

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 10:00 am PT

Application Closes

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 12:00 pm PT

Review Process

March – September 2024

Grant Decisions

By October 11, 2024

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for an Operating Support Grant, an arts organization must be based in and serving the communities of Los Angeles County. The following requirements must also be met:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored visual and/or performing arts organization
  • Have a mission fully dedicated to the arts, with all programming and/or services dedicated to the arts 
  • Have active and ongoing programming, activities, and/or direct services accessible to the public in LA County year-round
  • Have staffing and operational capacity necessary to achieve strategic goals and manage funds, with at least three (3) paid full-time staff members for the current fiscal year. (Note: For fiscally sponsored organizations, staff of the fiscal sponsor do not count toward the requirement.)  
  • Have been established and operating as a 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored organization in LA County for at least five (5) consecutive years 
  • Have an annual operating budget of less than $20 million 
  • Have a Board of Directors and/or Advisory Council
  • Partner with, support, and/or represent communities that have been historically underfunded in the arts

Ineligible organizations include:

  • Organizations that received a multi-year Operating Support Grant from Perenchio Foundation in 2022
  • Organizations with an active Special Project Grant from Perenchio Foundation (Note: Reach out to our team with any questions. Receiving a Capital Improvements Grant in 2023 does not impact eligibility.) 
  • Organizations whose primary mission is not arts-related (For example: therapeutic and social services, entertainment, tutoring and homework-focused, healthcare, housing, sports, and living collections)
  • Organizations with programming taking place only during a particular season (e.g., short-term festivals or concert series)
  • National or statewide arts organizations 
  • Arts service organizations
  • Educational institutions, including K-12 schools, universities, and programs that lead to a degree or diploma
  • Municipal or County government agencies and departments
  • Regranting organizations

 

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals should be clear, concise, and free of jargon or repetition. We ask organizations to describe who they are and the core of what they do in a way that would be easily understood by anyone reading about their work.

All applicant organizations will be evaluated on their alignment with Perenchio Foundation’s values of quality, accessibility, and permanence.

In addition to the clarity of the application and overall values alignment, the following criteria will be taken into consideration:

Community Focus

  • Is there a clear description of the following?
    • Programming (what the organization does and who they are)
    • Practices (how they do their work)
    • Purpose (why they do their work)
    • Community (whom they define as their community served)
  • Does the application demonstrate the organization’s reach and authentic engagement with historically underfunded communities in LA County?
  • Is the organization’s work informed by feedback from their community members?

Artistic Practice & Pursuit of Excellence

  • Does the organization’s work demonstrate high artistic quality and a commitment to pursuing artistic excellence?
  • Is the organization contributing to nurturing, strengthening, and advancing their craft and/or field?

Leadership, Capacity & Track Record

  • Does the organization have sound governance structure and financial management practices?
  • Does the organization have a formalized practice of assessment and organizational learning for continuous improvement?
  • Does the team have the staffing and capacity to achieve strategic goals and manage grant funds?

Vision for the Future

  • Does the leadership have a vision and strategic plan for resiliency to ensure the long-term success of the organization?
  • Will the requested funding help the organization strengthen capacity for the future?
  • Eligibility Requirements for Arts Organizations

    To be eligible to apply for an Operating Support Grant, an arts organization must be based in and serving the communities of Los Angeles County. The following requirements must also be met:

    • Be a 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored visual and/or performing arts organization
    • Have a mission fully dedicated to the arts, with all programming and/or services dedicated to the arts
    • Have active and ongoing programming, activities, and/or direct services available to the public in LA County throughout the year
    • Have staffing and operational capacity necessary to achieve strategic goals and manage funds, with at least three paid full-time staff members for the current fiscal year
    • Have been established and operating as a 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored organization for at least five (5) consecutive years
    • Have an annual operating budget of less than $15 million
    • Have a Board of Directors and/or Advisory Council
    • Partner with, support, and/or represent communities that have been historically underfunded in the arts

    Ineligible organizations include:

    • Organizations that received a multi-year Operating Support Grant from Perenchio Foundation in 2022
    • Organizations whose primary mission is not arts-related (for example: therapeutic and social services, entertainment, tutoring, healthcare, housing, sports, and living collections)
    • National or statewide arts organizations
    • Arts service organizations
    • Educational institutions that lead to a degree or diploma
    • Municipal or County government agencies and departments
    • Regranting organizations
  • Timeline

    We understand that some organizations may have more time-sensitive projects, while others may need additional time to gather bids and cost estimates to inform their capital improvements request.

    Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 8, 2023.

    • Applications submitted by March 8: will be prioritized for notification in late July
      • Depending on the volume and complexity of applications received by March 8, some organizations may not hear from us until October.
    • Applications submitted from March 8 – June 8: will receive notification in late October
      • Submitting earlier within this timeframe increases the likelihood that we may be able to respond in July.

    We encourage organizations to submit early and not wait until the final deadline.

    Application Submissions Window: January 8 – June 8, 2023

    • Application Opens: Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. PST
    • Application Closes: Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. PST
      • Please be mindful of the noon deadline, as no extensions will be provided beyond this time.

    Review Process: March through September 2023

    • As part of our review process, we may conduct virtual meetings and/or in-person site visits. may be conducted.
  • Contact Our Team

    For questions about your organization’s eligibility to apply for this grant, read through our Eligibility Requirements above before submitting a question.

    For technical issues or questions about the application process, read the Questions and Answers section below. If your question is not addressed there, contact our team.

    If you are unsure whether your capital improvements project fits into the scope of this grant or have a request that is under $10,000, provide the following in your question to receive guidance on whether to proceed with an application:

    • A brief summary (2-3 sentences) of what your project entails
    • The grant amount you would like to request from the Perenchio Foundation

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  • Apply Now

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • About Operating Support Grant

    What do Perenchio Foundation’s Operating Support Grants fund?

    Our intention is to nurture creativity while helping organizations build operational resilience for a long-term future. These three-year grants are intended to be flexible and provide unrestricted operating support.

    How much funding may I request?

    We do not ask organizations to specify how much funding you are requesting, though we do want to know what an unrestricted, multi-year grant would mean to you. Grant amounts will depend on fund availability and be based on a percentage of an organization’s most recent 990. For fiscally sponsored organizations, grant amounts will be based on your operating budget, as reflected in your fiscal sponsor’s audit.

  • Eligibility

    Do you accept applications from arts service organizations?

    No, arts service organizations are not eligible to apply at this time. We are interested in supporting arts service organizations’ capacity-building efforts that increase their ability to serve the LA County arts sector in a more robust way. Due to the small universe of arts service organizations that focus on and are based in LA County, this funding is currently offered only through an invitation-based process. If you are an LA-based arts service organization and are interested in sharing information about your work to determine whether there is alignment with our priorities, reach out to our team here.

    How do I know if you would consider my organization to be fully dedicated to the arts?

    We consider organizations eligible to apply if they center arts and culture in their mission, vision, and all of their programming. Organizations that do not center art as the core of their day-to-day work, but rather implement strategies where art is a tool for a broader mission, are not considered eligible. 

    What is considered year-round programming for eligibility purposes?

    Organizations with programming taking place only during a particular season (e.g., short-term festivals or concert series) are not considered eligible at this time.

    Are organizations that have received funding from the Perenchio Foundation eligible to apply?

    Organizations that received a multi-year Operating Support Grant from us in 2022 are not eligible to apply for this round. 2023 Capital Improvements grantees are eligible if they did not receive operating support in 2022. Those with an active Special Project or Program Grant from us should reach out to our team to inquire about eligibility before proceeding with an application. Additionally, organizations that are new to us and have not yet received funding will be prioritized.

    My organization is undergoing a leadership transition. Does this impact our potential to be awarded a grant?

    We understand that leadership changes are a normal part of an organization’s evolution. Transition can create instability but can also be a moment of opportunity and growth. Should your organization be undergoing a transition currently or anticipating one in the next year, we want to understand your plan, and in what ways the leadership (current or exiting, and the board) is ensuring stability, sound governance practices, and continued artistic quality. There is a section in the application where you may share the details of your situation.

  • Fiscally Sponsored Organizations

    What information will fiscally sponsored organizations need to provide about their fiscal sponsor?

    If you are a fiscally sponsored organization, you will need to provide:

    • Name, address, and Tax ID of your fiscal sponsor
    • Contact at the fiscal sponsor organization
    • Memorandum of understanding (MOU) or letter of agreement between your organization and your fiscal sponsor

    How should fiscally sponsored organizations answer the budget-related questions in the application?

    For organizations that are fiscally sponsored, be sure to include your own organization’s information in all budget-related questions, not your fiscal sponsor’s.

  • How to Use SurveyMonkey Apply

    Is there a version of the application I can download to work on outside of SurveyMonkey Apply?

    Yes, once you begin an application in SurveyMonkey Apply, the full application is available to be downloaded.

    Can I start my application and come back to it later?

    Yes, SurveyMonkey Apply allows you to save your application progress and return to complete it later.

    Can I add additional members from my organization to collaborate on the application?

    Yes, multiple people from the same organization may work on the same application. After logging into SurveyMonkey Apply, click “Manage organization” in the top right corner. Add members of your team on the “Members” tab of this page. Then, once you have started an application, click “Add Member or Team” on the left side of the application page to invite a collaborator.

    Can I print the application prior to or after filling it out?

    Yes, once you begin an application in SurveyMonkey Apply, the full application is available to be downloaded for printing. If you wish to print a completed application with your answers from SurveyMonkey Apply, click the three dots next to “Preview” and then click “Download” to save it on your computer.

    Will I receive confirmation that my application was received?

    Yes, when you submit your application, you will receive an auto-response email to confirm that your application was received. If you do not receive one, check your spam folder. If the confirmation is not in your spam folder, please reach out to us here.

  • Application Guidance

    How do you suggest that I be concise while also sharing a comprehensive snapshot of my organization? 

    A few things to consider:

    • Please spell everything out before using abbreviations. 
    • Use numbering and/or dashes (-) as bullet points to organize information and direct the reader’s attention. 
    • Provide background as needed to define terms. 
    • Share data points, research, and/or specific examples to illuminate how feedback and patterns inform your approach. 
    • Prioritize clarity when describing who you are, your objectives, and how you do your work. 
    • We value brevity where possible. We ask that you limit responses to no more than 400 words. However, the system will not cut you off if you need to write more. 
    • There are also sections in which you will have the option to upload materials and/or visuals to highlight your work and organizational priorities.

    Are there examples of responses that can help me understand the level of the detail requested?

    In the file linked here, we have included a few questions and sample responses to illustrate how we hope applicants will be succinct and clear, while still providing details to help us understand the organization’s work. Please note: These responses were written by our team and are not meant to convey a singular organizational perspective. They are simply examples for reference. 

    My fiscal year does not align with the financial information requested in the application. What should I do?

    Financial information and attachments should be entered into the application based on the year in which your fiscal year ends. (For example, we would refer to the current fiscal year as the fiscal year ending in 2024.) This should allow you to enter your financial information regardless of what month your fiscal year begins and ends. 

    How should I upload financial attachments if my organization is currently in the midst of an audit?

    If you have audited financial statements available for the fiscal year ending in 2022, we ask that you upload them in the application. Regardless of whether you have audited financial statements available, you will be asked to upload internal year-end financial statements (both Profit & Loss Statement and Balance Sheet) for the fiscal year ending in 2023.

  • Review Process

    What does the review process entail?

    Grant awards will be competitive. Beyond the eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria noted above, these awards will be determined based on an equity-centered review process. Applications will be reviewed by our staff and community panelists, and recommendations are then reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors before grant decisions are announced.

    Who are the community review panelists?

    Panelists will be members of the LA County and regional arts community, including active arts practitioners and those with a deep understanding of, sustained commitment to, and active engagement with local visual and performing arts organizations. The intention of our panel process is to incorporate in-depth knowledge of the LA nonprofit arts and culture sector and infuse valuable community input into our grantmaking.

    Will you conduct site visits as part of the review process?

    We may conduct in-person site visits and/or virtual meetings for the Foundation team to get to know an applicant organization’s leadership and understand more about their vision and work. If needed, we will reach out to organizations accordingly.

    How do I check on the status of my request?

    Please refrain from emailing or calling about the status of requests. The Foundation will contact you via email if more information is needed. Otherwise, all organizations will hear from us by October 11. 

  • How to Contact Us

    How can I submit a question about the application?

    Technical difficulties with the application portal? Check SurveyMonkey Apply’s Frequently Asked Questions here and reach out to their support team here.

    Have a question about the application process that is not addressed elsewhere on this page? Before reaching out, all organizations should thoroughly review the guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions to see if their query is addressed. For our team to respond, all questions must be submitted by clicking “Ask a Question” below rather than by emailing individual staff members. 

    We cannot guarantee responses to questions on the last day that applications may be submitted. We strongly recommend submitting the application at least 2 business days prior to the deadline to allow ample time to troubleshoot and resolve any issues.

     

    Ask a Question

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Perenchio Foundation: 21 Miller Alley Suite 210, Pasadena, CA 91103