Author: Brownrigg, W. Grant

Publication Year: 1977

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Abstract:

The central consideration of all allocations decisions is how to determine the distribution of scarce resources (money) in a situation of unlimited need. There follows from this basic question a number of sub-questions:

1. What criteria do you use to make allocations judgments?
   
   
2. How do you accurately measure the degree to which these criteria have been met?
   
3. What information do you need and what procedures do you use to ensure that it is obtained in a timely fashion?

The situation us further compounded by various policy considerations, as illustrated by the following questions:

1. In general, should you attempt to give a few organizations a large amount of money or many organizations a small amount?
   
   
2. How do you fund new groups or projects without jeopardizing the existence of current ones? What do you do the following year when the new groups you funded have become old ones that still require funding and there are a host of new ones to consider?
   
   
3. If an organization is well-managed and reduces its financial need, do you reward its efforts with less money?
   
   
4. If you are funding organizations whose primary purpose or function is art, should you not evaluate their artistic quality and impact? If so, how can this be done?
   
   
5. What is the proper balance between acting responsibly to ensure that contributors' donations are well spent and not interfering with the internal operations or artistic endeavors of beneficiaries?

Since there do not seem to be any static, complete answers to all the basic questions concerning allocations, the best that can be achieved is to minimize the amount of irresponsible subjectivity involved in the process.

The following pages outline one attempt to do so - that of the Greater Hartford Arts Council in Hartford, Connecticut. In no way should this approach be considered as anything other than one particular point of departure - the key questions still remain, and in Hartford, at least, things are still being modified and improved in an effort to answer them more completely.

CONTENTS
1. Introduction.

2. Overview.

3. Category I outline. 

A. For large-budget organizations. 
B. Schedule. 
C. Information required by May 15. 
D. Development of summary tables. 
E. Budget review process. 
F. Communications and follow-up.

4. Category III outline. 

A. Description. 
B. Application. 
C. Commmunication and control.

5. Category II outline.

6. Conclusions.

Exhibit A. 
               1. General description and criteria.
               2. Categories of funding. 
                   A. Category 1. For any arts organization.
                   B. Category 2. For any arts organization. 
                   C. Category 3.

Exhibit B. Direct solicitation policy of the Greater Hartford Arts Council. 
               1. Conformity to Greater Hartford Arts Council objectives. 
               2. Uniqueness of the project to be funded. 
               3. Degree to which other funding sources have been approached. 
               4. Number of current approved direct solicitations.

Exhibit C. Samples of information tables sent out to committee members and 
               applicants for category 1 funding.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Funding