665 R.I. Code R. 665-RICR-20-00-1.7

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 665-RICR-20-00-1.7 - Application Review and Project Selection for State Cultural Facilities Grant Program Competitive Grants

A. PRELIMINARY REVIEW: After the closing date, the applications will be reviewed by RISCA staff or its designee. The Review Panel will evaluate all of the timely and complete applications according to the scoring criteria.

B. MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: An application shall be deemed eligible for evaluation only if it satisfies all of the following criteria:

1. The applicant is a 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to successfully carry out the project. Applications will not be accepted from private individuals, for-profit organizations or corporations. RISCA shall be responsible for determining eligibility status to participate in the Cultural Facilities Grants program.

2. The applicant owns or leases the property for which the grant is sought. Applicants who have a lease or written agreement of at least ten (10) years from the date of the application are eligible. With the understanding that the applicant is required to provide evidence that State investment in private property is clearly for the long-term public good, applicants with less than a ten (10) year lease will be required to provide a document signed by lessor and lessee committing to enter into a ten (10) year lease or a five (5) year lease with options that comprise a full ten (10) year period in the event a grant is awarded.

3. The property for which the grant is sought is used as a cultural facility.

4. The grant is sought for capital improvements to the property.

5. The applicant certifies that any property renovated or improved with funds made available by RISCA will remain under the ownership or lease of the applicant for a minimum term of ten (10) years unless approved by RISCA and agreed to by the applicant and owner in writing. If the property passes from the applicant to another lessee before this minimum period from date of award has expired, the owner of the facility may be required to return funds to the Cultural Facilities Grant Program, as negotiated at the time of application with both parties. Such conditions and negotiations are subject to approval by the Council.

6. The application contains all information and supporting documentation specified or requested in the application package.

7. An eligible applicant may only submit one (1) application in each grant application round.

8. The following activities are not eligible for grant funding:

a. Projects whose entire scope of work consists solely of general maintenance.

b. Projects that consist only of landscaping or site work as part of improvements such as parking lots, sidewalks, etc.

c. Projects that consist only of predevelopment or planning, such as historic structure reports, master plans, and architectural studies.

d. Acquisition of collections.

e. General Operating Support (GOS). Administrative costs for running the organization (including but not limited to salaries, travel, personnel, office supplies, mortgage or rent, operating overhead or indirect costs, etc.)

f. Costs associated with representation, proposal, or grant application preparation.

g. Costs for lobbying or attempting to influence Federal, State or local legislation, the judicial branch, or any State agency.

h. Costs associated with bad debts, contingencies (money set aside for possible expenses), fines and penalties, taxes (of any kind), and other financial costs including bank fees and charges and credit card debts, except costs related to debt service for the designated project.

i. Costs for travel, private entertainment, food, beverages, plaques, awards, or scholarships.

j. Projects restricted to private or exclusive participation, including restriction of access to programs on the basis of sex, race, creed, national origin, disability, age, or marital status.

k. Re-granting, contributions, and donations.

C. EVALUATION: Each eligible application will be evaluated on the following competitive criteria (one hundred (100) points total):

1. NEED FOR PROJECT (thirty (30) points): one to thirty (1 - 30) points will rate the need for the proposed capital improvement, preservation, renovation or new construction based on a review of the scope of work, the project narrative and supporting documents. Applicants will be judged on the quality and completeness of their plans, and on the strength of the case they make for how the capital improvement, preservation, renovation or new construction will advance the work of the organization and their community.

2. PROJECT IMPACT (forty (40) points): one to forty (1 - 40) points will rate the completed project's ability to contribute to the local and/or state economy, to the cultural vitality of the applicant's community as well as the ability to engage current and potential audiences. The geographic location of the project will be a consideration. Impact on underserved parts of the applicant's community will also be a consideration (for example, projects that deal with accessibility issues to engage audiences with disabilities, or the ability to develop new programs to connect with culturally diverse communities). Applicants will be judged on the strength of the case they make that their project will provide a significant and measurable benefit to the local and/or state economy and to the cultural vitality of the applicant's community. Applicants will be ranked, in part, on an evaluation of the data they provide that supports their case.

3. CAPACITY TO SUCCEED (thirty (30) points): one to thirty (1 - 30) points will rate the applicant's ability to raise matching funds, plan and carry out a project within a twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) month period. The panel will also take into account the long-term viability of the applicant organization. Projects that can demonstrate an ability to begin construction earlier than twelve (12) months from the approval date will receive greater scores in the selection process. Applicants will be rated based on a review of project plans, budget details, income and matching funds statements. A review of the applicant's organizational strength and capacity to succeed will include an evaluation of past financial records and reports, as well as an evaluation of fund-raising capacity as demonstrated by a review of past earned and contributed income to the organization.

4. SELECTION OF GRANTS: The Review Panel shall submit its recommendations to the Council within forty-five (45) days of its application review meeting. The Council will review the recommendations of the Review Panel within forty-five (45) days of receiving the recommendations. The Commission shall vote to accept or not accept the recommendations. The date of the Council's vote shall be the date of grant award.

665 R.I. Code R. 665-RICR-20-00-1.7

Amended effective 9/5/2021