Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund

Overview | Eligibility & Process | Past Recipients | Scholarships | FAQs

Have the standards for the Toolbox changed in 2009?
My organization has already begun work with a consultant on a particular organizational challenge. Can we apply for the Toolbox to pay for that consultant?
My organization would like to apply for a Toolbox but won't be ready to begin work for several months. When should I apply?
Does a Toolbox have to be completed before applying for an Arts Fund grant or vice versa? If my organization receives a grant does that make us ineligible for other grants offered at The Community Foundation?
When will I know if my organization has received a Toolbox? When will the work start?

Q: Have the standards for the Toolbox changed in 2009?
A: No. The Toolbox process and applications are largely the same as in 2008. The difference is that the Arts Fund is prioritizing certain types of Toolboxes awarded in 2009 in order to be more responsive to immediate needs of arts organizations. For a full list of first and second priorities, please download and read the Toolbox Guidelines. If you organization is interested in applying for a type of project that is not on this list, it is still a possibility, but you should contact the Arts Fund staff first.

Q: My organization has already begun work with a consultant on a particular organizational challenge. Can we apply for the Toolbox to pay for that consultant?
A: Unfortunately no. One of the basic tenets of the Toolbox program is to offer, along with work with a consultant, a suite of other tools and opportunitiess. This is implemented and managed by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits who use their expertise in nonprofit management to match awardees to the right package of services. Throughout the relationship they are available as a 'customer service' agent to make sure the awardee is getting the level of service and results they need. By starting the project without this relationship, the effectiveness of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits and the impact of the Toolbox are lessened.

The Arts Fund recognizes that sometimes an organization can't wait for a deadline to get started on solving a pressing issue and must go ahead and start work with a consultant. In order to better serve groups in this position, the Arts Fund board changed the structure of the program to accept and evaluate applications three times a year instead of one.

Q: My organization would like to apply for a Toolbox but won't be ready to begin work for several months. When should I apply?
A: Timing is very important in the Toolbox award process. Recipients of the Toolbox award are expected to begin work on their project soon after the award is announced. There is some flexibility in schedule but if you won't be able to begin work before the next Toolbox deadline, you will need to make the case why you need to receive the Toolbox in a particular cycle. Otherwise you may want to wait until the next deadline.

Q: Does a Toolbox have to be completed before applying for an Arts Fund grant or vice versa? If my organization receives a grant does that make us ineligible for other grants offered at The Community Foundation?
A: No. Receipt of an Arts Fund Grant, Arts Toolbox Award or Arts Loan Fund loan does not affect eligibility for the other programs. You may have none, one, two or all three at the same time.

Receipt of support from any of the three Arts Fund programs also does not affect eligibility for other grant programs at The Community Foundation including the Common Good Funds, Grants to Green, Neighborhood Fund, and An Extra Wish. Provided it meets other requirements, organization may receive support from any combination of these programs at the same time.

Q: When will I know if my organization has received a Toolbox? When will the work start?
A: Organizations will be notified about whether they have received a Toolbox four to six weeks after applying. Within two weeks of notification the project will begin. Organizations applying for a Toolbox should keep this timeframe in mind when deciding which deadline to apply for. If your organization will not be ready to start, it should wait apply for a later deadline..

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Learn More About The Toolbox:

Toolbox Overview
Eligibility & Process
Past Recipients


	Overview \| Eligibility & Process \| Past Recipients \| Scholarships \| FAQs Have the standards for the Toolbox changed in 2009? My organization has already begun work with a consultant on a particular organizational challenge. Can we apply for the Toolbox to pay for that consultant? My organization would like to apply for a Toolbox but won't be ready to begin work for several months. When should I apply? Does a Toolbox have to be completed before applying for an Arts Fund grant or vice versa? If my organization receives a grant does that make us ineligible for other grants offered at The Community Foundation? When will I know if my organization has received a Toolbox? When will the work start? Q: Have the standards for the Toolbox changed in 2009? A: No. The Toolbox process and applications are largely the same as in 2008. The difference is that the Arts Fund is prioritizing certain types of Toolboxes awarded in 2009 in order to be more responsive to immediate needs of arts organizations. For a full list of first and second priorities, please download and read the Toolbox Guidelines. If you organization is interested in applying for a type of project that is not on this list, it is still a possibility, but you should contact the Arts Fund staff first. Q: My organization has already begun work with a consultant on a particular organizational challenge. Can we apply for the Toolbox to pay for that consultant? A: Unfortunately no. One of the basic tenets of the Toolbox program is to offer, along with work with a consultant, a suite of other tools and opportunitiess. This is implemented and managed by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits who use their expertise in nonprofit management to match awardees to the right package of services. Throughout the relationship they are available as a 'customer service' agent to make sure the awardee is getting the level of service and results they need. By starting the project without this relationship, the effectiveness of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits and the impact of the Toolbox are lessened. The Arts Fund recognizes that sometimes an organization can't wait for a deadline to get started on solving a pressing issue and must go ahead and start work with a consultant. In order to better serve groups in this position, the Arts Fund board changed the structure of the program to accept and evaluate applications three times a year instead of one. Q: My organization would like to apply for a Toolbox but won't be ready to begin work for several months. When should I apply? A: Timing is very important in the Toolbox award process. Recipients of the Toolbox award are expected to begin work on their project soon after the award is announced. There is some flexibility in schedule but if you won't be able to begin work before the next Toolbox deadline, you will need to make the case why you need to receive the Toolbox in a particular cycle. Otherwise you may want to wait until the next deadline. Q: Does a Toolbox have to be completed before applying for an Arts Fund grant or vice versa? If my organization receives a grant does that make us ineligible for other grants offered at The Community Foundation? A: No. Receipt of an Arts Fund Grant, Arts Toolbox Award or Arts Loan Fund loan does not affect eligibility for the other programs. You may have none, one, two or all three at the same time. Receipt of support from any of the three Arts Fund programs also does not affect eligibility for other grant programs at The Community Foundation including the Common Good Funds, Grants to Green, Neighborhood Fund, and An Extra Wish. Provided it meets other requirements, organization may receive support from any combination of these programs at the same time. Q: When will I know if my organization has received a Toolbox? When will the work start? A: Organizations will be notified about whether they have received a Toolbox four to six weeks after applying. Within two weeks of notification the project will begin. Organizations applying for a Toolbox should keep this timeframe in mind when deciding which deadline to apply for. If your organization will not be ready to start, it should wait apply for a later deadline.. ^ Back To Questions ^ Learn More About The Toolbox: Toolbox Overview Eligibility & Process Past Recipients
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