Sadly, over recent decades, funding for art education has diminished nationwide. But that doesn’t mean that it is not important. A large-scale study by The Brookings Institute found that arts educational experiences have amazing impacts on students’ social, academic, and emotional outcomes.
At a time when we’re all under more pressure than ever before, art can play an important role in helping people stay emotionally healthy. Would you, as a creator, like to be part of a community that truly pays it forward?
Causability grants allow a creator to collaborate with local nonprofits in ways that provide big benefits to communities. Join us as we explore all the different ways creators can utilize these grants to benefit others.
Things to Know about Causability Creatos Grants
Causability is offering three different grants of $5,000 for creators and their local nonprofit communities to collaborate in ways that benefit both. These grants are currently available to creators anywhere in the continental US.
The grants can be used by creators specializing in all mediums and disciplines. The main focus is on events and causes that benefit socio-economically marginalized areas. But as for how you utilize your grant, the only limit is your imagination!
Special Events
Local creatives can leverage their connections and understanding of their community to run events that benefit nonprofits. Here are just a few types of events a Causability Creator grant could help you to put on:
Performances
Bring the community together while raising funds for your cause. The grant could cover the costs of hiring a venue, security, and the artist’s expenses. Ticket sales or other fundraising activities could earn additional income for the nonprofit.
These performances could include:
- Live singing and/or music
- Plays and musicals
- Drumming
- Competitions, such as the battle of the bands or singing competitions
Performances are great opportunities to raise awareness of the nonprofit’s cause. It could include educational segments highlighting the work of the nonprofit. Performances can also be tailored to the community. The more interest they generate locally, the more good they have the potential to do.
Audience Participation Events
As an alternative to or in addition to a performance event, why not get the audience involved? They could try their hand at playing musical instruments, making drums, painting, drawing, or other artistic endeavors. The event could culminate in a physical or online exhibition or even a live performance that participants could download to view later.
The more creative the idea is, the better. Aim for something that can include as many people as possible and ideally includes something they can take away to remember the day – and the cause!
Educational Workshop
As a creator, you have talents that others can only look at with envy! Why not let them explore their own talents by hosting an educational workshop where you take the lead in helping people get in touch with their own creative side? Unlike audience participation events mentioned above, workshops are typically smaller. They allow for small group and 1:1 instruction from the creator, which could have a long-lasting impact on someone’s life.
Some ideas include:
- Themed painting workshops
- How to play a musical instrument
- How to make jewelry
- Craft projects, such as knitting, crocheting, journaling, etc.
- De-stress through art
- Meditation/breathwork/sound
With careful planning, these events can empower people with new skills and help them make art an integral part of their lives. They can truly be the gift that keeps on giving!
Fundraisers
Creators may use Causability grants to organize fundraisers that benefit nonprofits, although any fundraising or grant used to projects must be pre-approved by Causability.org.
Fundraisers can be standalone events. However, it’s more likely that you will be able to hold them at the same time as one of the events listed above. There are several ways to generate funds for your nonprofit, including:
- Ticket Sales: Reasonably priced tickets are one way to ensure that funds are generated, although they need to be used with caution. Unless the charge is very reasonable, it may put community members off attending.
- Art Auctions: They are a great way to involve other artists, donors and raise awareness bringing in funds for the nonprofit.
- Vendors: Some vendors may agree to sponsor and attend the event, then donate a portion of their profits to the nonprofit.
- Merchandise: Merch featuring your artwork is a great way to raise awareness of your work and the nonprofit. Plus, a percentage of profits from sales go to the good cause. Art For Your Cause can assist with creating products for fundraising perks.
How Can I Spend the Causability Grant?
Once your project has been approved and you have been awarded the grant, you may use it in various ways.
It could cover expenses such as the following:
- Renting an event space
- Supplies
- Paying yourself
- Advertising for and recruiting volunteers
The stipulation is that all costs covered must be directly associated with the event or artwork you have agreed to create.
How Do I Get Started?
To secure a Causability grant, you will need to partner with a local nonprofit and agree on a mutually acceptable theme that benefits their community.
The following steps can help you create a cause that makes an impact:
- Identify your cause by collaborating with a local nonprofit
- Narrow down your cause goals
- Tell your personal cause story
- Apply for a grant to further your cause.
Time to Apply for a Causability Grant
At Causability, we believe that creativity through projects (causes) has the power to make a real difference in communities. It’s a way to bring people together and put them in touch with skills they never knew they had.
Our grants are also a great way for creatives to actively engage with the community without giving their time and resources away for free. Earn a living and do good with your talents – what’s not to love?
We hope the ideas above have given you the inspiration you need to formulate a winning grant proposal. But don’t limit yourself to our suggestions. We’re open to ideas of all kinds and welcome creativity.
Deadline May 31st 2024
Sign up today!
We can’t wait to hear what you have in mind. Now’s the time to begin your Artist Grant Proposal!
Schedule a Zoom call with our founder, Liz London:
https://causability.org/calendar
