Capacity Building—Technical Assistance for Organizations

Healthy arts and cultural organizations help build vibrant, creative communities throughout Ohio.  Yet, at times, all groups need additional skills and resources to fulfill their role as vital partners in community life.  The Capacity Building program supports established and emerging institutions to develop effective leadership, sound management practices, diverse financial resources and successful partnerships.  Applicants are asked to identify appropriate, realistic strategies for developing individual and organizational skills as well as demonstrate readiness to undertake capacity building activities.  A flexible application and staff review process ensures that Capacity Building projects enhance the overall artistic, educational and cultural value of organizations to their communities and help maintain a strong infrastructure for the arts throughout Ohio.

Before applying to this program you must read the program Guidelines, and Appendix A: Legal Requirements. Applications are accepted using the Online Grant Application system (OLGA). If you have questions about the program that are not addressed in the Guidelines, you may wish to consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, or contact your regional program coordinator for more information.

Nomination for Panel Membership form
Please use this form to nominate yourself or another individual to serve on an Ohio Arts Council (OAC) grant review panel.  Nominations may be made by any interested individual or organization in Ohio, and are accepted year-round.  Nominations must include: a statement of the nominee's qualifications, specifically addressing panel membership criteria; name of the panel(s) to which the individual is being nominated, and; a copy of the nominee's current résumé.  For more information contact Karine Aswad at karine.aswad@oac.state.oh.us or 614/728-4445.

Capacity Building Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General grants process FAQ

Resources

Organizational Capacity and Project Planning Worksheets
A useful resource for small-mid size organizations for organizational and project planning.

Accessibility
Find out more about ADA, access marketing resources and accessibility symbols, link to state, regional and national organizations, download the Accessibility Planning and Resource Guide for Cultural Administrators and more.

OAC Resources
Learn more about Ohio Arts Council research, explore a variety of arts learning resources, and visit links to national, regional and statewide arts and cultural organizations.

OAC Databases
Search for Ohio arts and cultural organizations, review past OAC grant recipients, locate festivals, artists and creative writers, search Capacity Building consultants, and much more.

Focusing the Light: The Art and Practice of Planning
Each of the seven volumes in Focusing the Light, developed by the Ohio Arts Council, offers clear, proven steps to help maximize your efforts and steer your organization toward winning results. With this series, you’ll learn to: create a comprehensive project plan; define and describe a course of action; gain support for the plan; implement plan activities; document your program’s efforts and successes, and; evaluate and refine the plan.

Secretary of State, State of Ohio
A source of information for how to apply for not for profit status in the state of Ohio. Obtain forms and download a legal guide for non-profit organizations.

ArtsinOhio.com
A terrific FREE way to promote your organization's events. Register at www.OhioEventFinder.com and begin entering your events today!

About.Com
Overview of articles related to starting a not for profit organization. Includes definitions of not for profits, a glossary and helpful tips.