ROUND 3 Continuing Ed Application Cycle B Administered by TCG with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Leadership U[niversity] is administered by TCG with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation The overall intent of this program is to strengthen the field by developing the individuals who are the core and future of theatre. This program provides support in two initiatives: Continuing Ed grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded each application cycle to mid-career to veteran professionals at TCG Member Theatres for learning opportunities that will advance their leadership skills in areas that include artistic, administrative, educational and production. One-on-One grants of $75,000 will be awarded to six exceptionally talented early-career leaders from all areas of theatre for professional development via mentorships at a TCG Member Theatre, with an additional $5,000 honorarium for their mentor. Up to an additional $10,000 in Opportunity Funds will be available for one or more of the following: outstanding student loans, approved supplemental activities, and/or life needs (i.e. health care, child or elder care, or other medical expenses). Up to an additional $4,500 will be available for mentee and mentor travel. For more information about the One-on-One initiative, please visit www.tcg.org. Background TCG has a long-standing history of providing theatre professionals with opportunities to expand their artistic boundaries, increase their knowledge of the field, and sharpen their leadership skills. Developed with feedback from leaders in the field, Continuing Ed will provide mid-career and veteran theatre professionals the opportunity for short-term immersion outside of their organizations. Observing the work of critical thinkers inside and outside the theatre field can help these leaders gain new perspectives on the opportunities and challenges within their own organizations and the field at large. Continuing Ed will provide advanced practitioners with the time for reflection and inspiration to continue onward. ROUND 3 CYCLE B PAGE 2
Continuing Ed Program Description Eligibility Theatre Professional: Applicant must be key personnel who holds a full-time (35 hours/week) position at a TCG Member Theatre Minimum five years working professionally in the not-for-profit theatre field Home Theatre: 501(c)3 status Must be a TCG Member Theatre in good standing at the time of application. Employment of at least one full-time (35 hours/ week) salaried staff person at the time of application Minimum of three years prior existence as a not-for-profit theatre History of producing its own theatre production(s) within the previous year The applicant s home theatre may apply for the One-on-One initiative of Leadership U[niversity], however, the applicant cannot serve as a mentor for the One-on-One initiative until TCG received and approves the Continuing Ed final report. Continuing Ed will provide mid-career to veteran professionals at TCG Member Theatres with grants of up to $5,000 each application cycle for learning opportunities that will advance their leadership skills in areas that include but are not limited to artistic, administrative, educational and production. Grants will be awarded to the applicant s home theatre on behalf of the theatre practitioner. These grants will be self-supervised. TCG staff will monitor placements to ensure that activities are proceeding as planned and will provide assistance when necessary. Applicants will be asked to clearly articulate their goals for the proposed activities and to create a curriculum for their continuing education. If approved, applicants will be expected to spend a minimum of five working days on grant activities. Trips beyond the minimum duration are encouraged. Applications are encouraged from key staff not normally able to attend conferences and/or workshops. TCG will consider international activities in this category. Grant funds may be used for travel, housing or fees to further these activities. A portion of the funds may also be used to provide an honorarium to the established leader or specialist observed. Selection Process and Criteria Recipients will be chosen by a national, independent selection panel of theatre professionals through a competitive application review process using the following criteria: Potential impact and degree to which the program can contribute to applicant s growth as a leader Applicant s leadership experience and commitment to a career in the US theatre field Clearly articulated plan and capacity to carry out the program Appropriateness of the proposed placement(s) Appropriateness of the proposed budget Demonstrates internal development and willingness to take risks, as appropriate Potential impact on applicant s home theatre NOTE: Proposals that request support for activities that are part of the home theatre s normal operations, or those for travel without a learning component are not eligible. ROUND 3 CYCLE B PAGE 3
Continuing Ed Online Application Instructions 1. Apply via the new TCG Online Application Portal at http://www.tcg.org/grants/leadershipu/guidelines.cfm/ by July 8, 2015, NOON Eastern Time. Timeline Cycle B 2015 April Applications made available online July 8 Online Application Submission Deadline Week of August 24 Notification of recipients August Orientation teleconference October 1 Earliest start date for grant activities 2017 March 31 Latest date for grant activities; recipients must file final reports with TCG within 30 days of completing activities. 2. The TCG Online Application Portal will require you to upload an Excel Budget Spreadsheet, a PDF of your Organization s Audited Financial Statement or Form 990 and a two-page résumé/cv for the staff member participating in the grant. Each file must be under 15 MB. ASSEMBLE THE FOLLOWING THREE FILES: FILE # 1: Fill out and complete the Excel Budget Spreadsheet provided. Please name your file as follows using your Organization s Name: OrgName_Budget.xls FILE # 2: Submit annual fiscal information documenting financial performance. While audits are strongly encouraged, 990s will be accepted from organizations with budgets under $500,000. Please name your file as follows using your Organization s Name: OrgName_Financials.pdf FILE # 3: Submit a two-page résumé/cv for the staff member participating in the grant. Please name your file as follows: OrgName_LastName_Resume.pdf 3. Failure to assemble the application materials properly may result in your application being considered ineligible for review. 4. Save the Application Confirmation E-mail as proof of submission. Applicants who cannot provide proof of application submission will not be eligible. If you do not receive an Application Confirmation E-mail within an hour of submission, please contact TCG at jlewis@tcg.org. NOTE: Confirmation emails will be sent from mail@grantapplication.com, so be sure to check your junk folder. 5. Applications will NOT be accepted after the deadline and must be submitted via the TCG Online Application Portal. If your organization experiences leadership changes after submitting your application and before notification, you must contact jlewis@tcg.org. ROUND 3 CYCLE B PAGE 4
Grant Requirements The dissemination of lessons learned through grant supported activities is a key component of this program. TCG recognizes that evaluative tools must be hand-tailored to each individual recipient s goals. Recipients are required to file regular reports on their progress through the grant period and beyond. In addition, recipients must be willing to share their experience with TCG and the larger field while the grant is in process. Once a grant is approved, any change in activities must be requested in advance in writing and approved by TCG. Continuing Ed recipients are required to participate in an orientation conference call and an exit call. A final report is due to TCG within 30 days of completing approved activities; reporting forms and expense reports will be provided by TCG. Distribution Of Funds The distribution of funds is contingent upon signing a Letter of Agreement with TCG. Grant payments will be distributed on a schedule based on the time frame of proposed activities. Continuing Ed: Approved grant payments will be issued as reimbursements to TCG Member Theatres in two installments: 60% of total amount awarded upon TCG s receipt of the signed letter of agreement and the final 40% of amount awarded upon TCG s acceptance of a narrative and expense report from the recipient (including original receipts). NOTE: All recipients and their host organizations are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors about the tax implications of these funds. Administration Through a series of philanthropic partnerships, TCG distributes more than $2 million in grants each year to theatres and individuals. By making funds available to organizations, individual artists and administrators, TCG is able to provide development opportunities for a growing body of professionals and help build and connect a new generation of practitioners for the field. THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION supports scholarship and work in the humanities and the arts through grants to charitable institutions, including colleges and universities, performing arts organizations, museums, and libraries. Its grantmaking philosophy is to build, strengthen and sustain institutions and their core capacities, rather than be a source for narrowly defined projects. As such, it develops thoughtful, long-term collaborations with grant recipients and invest sufficient funds for an extended period to accomplish the purpose at hand and achieve meaningful results. www.mellon.org For over 50 years, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, has existed to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre. Its programs serve nearly 700 member theatres and affiliate organizations and more than 13,000 individuals nationwide. As the U.S. Center of the International Theatre Institute, TCG connects its constituents to the global theatre community. In all of its endeavors, TCG seeks to increase the organizational efficiency of its member theatres, cultivate and celebrate the artistic talent and achievements of the field and promote a larger public understanding of, and appreciation for, the theatre. TCG is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. www.tcg.org ROUND 3 CYCLE B PAGE 5