Author: Vignola, Leonard R.

Publication Year: 1978

Media Type: Report

Summary:

he Challenge Grant Program of the National Endowment for the Arts represented a new departure for the agency. This program of one-time grants provided support in addition to the funding already available for one year at a time through the Endowment's 14 established programs. The Challenge Grants Aimed to help recipients move towards financial stability, since strengthening cultural institutions enhances their ability to offer high-quality arts opportunities to more people. In the first round of Challenge Grants, awards were made to 59 applicants representing 75 cultural institutions.

Abstract:

The Challenge Grant Program of the National Endowment for the Arts represented a new departure for the agency. This program of one-time grants provided support in addition to the funding already available for one year at a time through the Endowment's 14 established programs. The Challenge Grants Aimed to help recipients move towards financial stability, since strengthening cultural institutions enhances their ability to offer high-quality arts opportunities to more people. In the first round of Challenge Grants, awards were made to 59 applicants representing 75 cultural institutions.

The Endowment contracted for a study to be made of the first round recipients during the early part of their Challenge Grant activity in order to monitor the effectiveness of the program from its inception. The main impacts of the Challenge Grant Program during its first year were in fund-raising and long-range planning activities. Increased involvement of the institutions' boards was a key factor in accomplishing both goals. The Challenge Grants totalled $27 million; they had to be matched at least $88 million in new and increased contributions during their three-years grant periods. As of February 28, 1979, the recipients had raised $110 million; 33 grantees had met or exceeded their required match in two years. The long-range planning required with each Challenge Grant application initiated long-range planning for 20 recipients and strengthened planning efforts for most of the others. (Executive Summary, p. 3)

CONTENTS
Introduction.
Executive Summary.

I. Background.
II. Findings.
III. Conclusions and Recommendations.

Attachments. 
     1. Challenge Grant Activity by Program for First Round.
     2. State Distribution of First-Round Applications and Challenge Grants.
     3. Minimum Required Matching Ratios for Challenge Grants, First Round.
     4. First-Round National Endowment for the Arts Challenge Grantees (the quarterly
         report to Congress on First-Round Challenge Grant matching funds as of
         February 28, 1979).
     5. Sample Reports for First-Round Challenge Grantees.
             Chicago Theatre Group/The Goodman Theatre.
             Greater Louisville Fund for the Arts.
             Houston Grand Opera.
             St. Louis Symphony.
             Settlement Music School.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Funding