Program Summary

The Building Bridges 2018-19 Grants Program will support planning and implementation of projects that engage U.S.-based Muslim and non-Muslim populations in arts- and media-based experiences designed to advance relationships and understanding for mutual well-being. Through this approach, the program’s larger aim is to contribute toward a more just civil society and greater well-being among people.

Proposed projects or programs should offer engaging, immersive and interactive experiences that may be conducted in collaboration with other organizations and are tailored to the needs and interests of the specific intended audience(s). There are many ways organizations might design, structure and implement projects that engage U.S.-based Muslim and non-Muslim populations through literary, media- and/or performing arts-based experiences to foster relationships and understanding between communities. Organizations are encouraged to draw upon their core capabilities, audience knowledge and resources in the creation of their proposals. Competitive projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • Development of new programs informed by past experience of successful artistic programming, including any international programming.
  • Expansion of existing programs that advance Building Bridges Grants Program goals.

In all cases, the application should describe and clarify all partnerships involved in the project.

Deadlines

CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST August 1, 2018

Sponsor Letter of Intent Deadline: 9:59pm MST August 23, 2018

Sponsor Full Proposal Deadline (invitation only): 9:59pm MST January 4, 2019

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Project Narrative (2-3 pages): Please provide an overview of the proposed project, project team, project goal and methods to achieve, intended audience/populations, involvement of literary media and/or performing arts, and how the project will help create more understanding about Muslims and advance relationship between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
  • Budget Overview (Up to 1 page): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

Organizations must have at least three years of professional experience producing or presenting literary, media- and/or performing arts-based programs, or may partner with an organization that does.

Projects and areas not funded include:

  • Requests from individuals.
  • The development, publication or distribution of books or reports.
  • Initiatives based exclusively on scholarly research or scholarly presentations.
  • Initiatives that focus solely on historical, as opposed to contemporary arts and cultures from Muslim-majority regions.
  • Film production or distribution of a single film will generally not be competitive.
  • Projects that support a performance by a single artist or single performance production will generally not be competitive.
  • Direct costs for the development and installation of exhibitions. Public programs associated with exhibitions are eligible.
  • Physical infrastructure or capital campaigns.

Nonprofit organizations with operating expense budgets greater than $100,000 and at least $25,000 in arts-related programming are eligible to apply as follows:

  • Organizations with annual expense budgets between $100,000 and $500,000 may apply for a total grant of up to $125,000 or no more than 25 percent of the annual expense budget.
  • Organizations with annual expense budgets greater than $500,000 may apply for a total grant up to $300,000 or no more than 25 percent of the annual expense budget.

Projects must take place within the U.S.

Limited Submission Guidelines

Organizations may submit (and be associated with) only one application in each grant-making round. An organization that agrees to partner on another organization’s LOI may not also submit an LOI for its own project.

Award Information and Duration

Award Amount: $25,000 to $300,000 (grants may support up to 75% of the total project budget).

Award Term: 1 to 3 years

Please note the required cost share for this opportunity: grants may support up to 75% of the total project budget.