Taubman Foundation
Contact information:
c/o Bryan & Jordan Consulting, LLC
1802 Bayberry Court, Suite 401
Richmond, Virginia 23226
Phone: 804-285-7700, ext. 2112
Fax: 804-285-2563
Website: www.bryanandjordan.com/Taubman/index.php
Type of foundation: Private
Types of grants: General operating
Description: The Taubman Foundation is funded by Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman. (The grant program is managed by Bryan & Jordan Consulting, a strategic planning firm.) For the second and final year, the Foundation will make one-year Sustainability Grants to arts and cultural organizations in the Roanoke Valley. A total of $1.25 million will be awarded.
The purpose of the Sustainability Grants is to strengthen the financial underpinnings of qualifying institutions. Grants are not intended for programmatic development unless a sound case is made that such programs will make the institution financially stronger in the long-term. An institution that has been struggling financially will need to develop a case for using the grant to help it return to fiscal strength and stability. If an institution has not experienced financial problems, it will need to make a case for how the grant will further strengthen its fiscal position. Grants may be used to:
- Reduce or eliminate operating deficits.
- Pay down or eliminate debt.
- Enhance revenue streams or create new ones.
Grants may be used for a capital project only if a strong case can be made to show how the project will strengthen the organization financially.
Sample grants: Helpful examples of how sustainability grants may be used are provided here. Grants awarded in 2011 include:
- $100,000 to the Taubman Museum of Art to bolster its membership campaign.
- $100,000 to Jefferson Center to pay off operational debt.
- $100,000 to Roanoke Children’s Theater to hire two new employees.
- $50,000 to Arts Council of the Blue Ridge to hire a development director.
- $25,000 to Studio Roanoke to cover operating expenses.
Fit for public media: This grant opportunity is open to organizations engaged in the arts and other cultural programs that enhance the quality of life in the community. Arts-focused public media should be eligible for support. This is a good opportunity to access funds for deficit-reduction, promotion/marketing, development capacity-building or revenue generation.
Eligibility: Each applicant must:
- Be a legally recognized nonprofit institution or part of a nonprofit organization or government entity.
- Have central to its mission one or more of the following: history, art, the performing arts, natural history, archeology, science or other cultural programs that enhance the quality of life in the community.
- Conduct regular programs and activities for the public for at least 500 hours a year, and must have been conducting programs for at least one year.
- Have at least one paid professional staff member who either oversees or delegates day-to-day operations.
- Have the financial resources to operate effectively and an annual operating budget of at least $100,000.
- Be headquartered and conduct the majority of its mission-related activities within a 20-mile radius of center city Roanoke.
Deadline: The application deadline is March 16, 2012. Grant winners will be announced in April.
How to apply: The preferred application method is via email. The application form can be downloaded from this page. When complete, the application form and all other required documents should be sent via e-mail to charles@bryanandjordan.com. If applicants choose to submit by U.S. mail, they must send four copies of the application.
Giving range: For the second year, $1.25 million will be distributed. Grants will range from $10,000 to $100,000. Institutions that received grants in the first year may reapply for a grant, but preference will be given to those that were not previously funded.
Total giving: A total of $1.25 million will be awarded in Sustainability Grants in 2012.
