Start gathering data for your Annual Reports to submit by Feb. 26
It’s that time of the year again—the Indiana Main Street annual reports are available to complete! These annual reports are a requirement for designees of the Indiana Main Street program at all levels. Annual reporting assesses the year prior (i.e. you will be reporting on the year 2020.) The submission deadline is 5 p.m. ET Feb. 26, 2021. Please contact Jackie Swihart if you require assistance.
At Your Side Small Business Grant Program opens this week
Main Street America and Brother International are working together to support small businesses and amplify the importance these enterprises play in communities across the country. The collaboration shines a light on inspiring entrepreneurs and provides resources and marketing support to small businesses in need. As part of this initiative, “At Your Side” Small Business Grant Program is available to provide $75,000 to Main Street small businesses in need.
The program supports brick-and-mortar small businesses in designated Main Street districts as they work to adapt to COVID-19 and prepare for the next phases of reopening across the country, while also helping to revitalize and strengthen older and historic commercial corridors. Grants of $5,000 to $10,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applications will open at noon ET, Jan. 21 and will be accepted through Jan. 28 at 7:59 p.m. ET. Click here to review all the program terms and conditions.
 Apply for an African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund grant
Grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund are designed to advance ongoing preservation activities for historic places such as sites, museums, and landscapes representing African American cultural heritage. Since establishing the program in 2017, the National Trust has invested $4.3 million in 67 diverse preservation projects across the country.
Grants made from the fund will range from $50,000 to $150,000. Read more about the program guidelines here and find some frequently asked questions here.
 2021 Heritage Support Grants are now available for applications
The Indiana Historical Society will offer three funding opportunities in 2021 through the Heritage Support Grants Program. The program exists to advance the care of and access to history in Indiana, while increasing the capacity of organizations that carry out this work.
To apply, organizations must be an incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, reflect history as a significant component of organizational mission and/or propose a history-focused project and have an annual budget under $300,000. Projects ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 will be awarded in June 2021.
Organizations interested in applying must submit a summary of proposal by March 2, 2021. If invited, applicants will then submit a full proposal by April. For more information, visit this website or contact Tamara Hemmerlein.
Indiana Arts Commission is gauging interest for On-Ramp Teams
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is gauging interest in a strategy to expand statewide access to the agency’s signature creative development program, the On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator. Teams of individuals, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and businesses interested in serving as contracted partners to deliver this capacity-building model to local cohorts across the state are encouraged to respond.
Artists are creative small businesses experiencing urgent and widespread need because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the IAC surveyed more than 1,400 Hoosier artists last year, it found creatives want to work and be part of the solution for their community, but need new strategies of earning income and connecting with their audience. Read more about the survey here.
The On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator is a national award-winning program designed to provide intense exposure to ten key areas of entrepreneurship and finance and ongoing mentorship and support to participants. Read more about this program here.
|
