Guidance & Resources FAQ: Writing and Preparing your grant application Best practices for creating a successful grant application Top Ten Grant Writing Tips Contact Your Program Manager. First-time TAC applicants are advised to speak to a Grant Program Manager before applying. It is always a good idea to discuss your applications with any funder in advance of the submission deadline.Write down all of your questions and think about your project idea in preparation for this discussion. Give Yourself Adequate Time. Successful grant writing is not done at the last minute. You should be researching and formulating ideas for your grant application at least two months prior to the deadline. Read the Guidelines. Always read the program guidelines and application form to determine that your proposed work is eligible and a strong fit for the program’s deadlines and objectives. Determine Artistic Vision and Goals. Think about your artistic vision and what you want to accomplish with the work. Talk about the project with others and articulate its unique artistic merits and importance. Write Clearly and Directly. Answer all of the questions as directly as possible and thoroughly outline the steps that will be taken, key individuals involved, and partners engaged to successfully complete your project. If you are not sure about the meaning of a question, ask your Grant Program Manager. Outline Your Action Plan. Clearly outline the steps that will be taken to ensure the successful completion of your project. Think about questions a grant review panel might ask. Ensure that your plan is detailed and in line with your proposed budget and objectives. Create a Realistic Budget. Research the real cost of activities, services, materials, fees, and equipment. Talk to others who have done similar work. Research potential partners and other funders who may be able to support project costs. Include in-kind or donated services and materials in your budget or budget notes. Get Feedback. It is always a great idea to have another person read a draft of your grants application. Grant Program Managers may also support you by reading a draft of your proposal and providing feedback. Make sure that you provide adequate time for this process (four weeks before deadline). Gather Support Materials. Do not wait until the last minute to gather your support material(s). This may be the only opportunity a grant review panel has to see your work, so make it count. Ensure that materials are on the best possible formats and are the strongest examples of your work. Follow Instructions and Triple-Check Your Grant. Do not put so much hard work into a grant application only to miss the deadline! Make sure you check the deadline time (all TAC grants must be received by 11:59 p.m. on deadline day). Writing About Your Work Can I submit my application in French? Puis-je soumettre ma demande en français? Yes. Toronto Arts Council accepts applications submitted in French. Note that assessment panels are held in English. When there are French-language applications, at least one assessor is bilingual and TAC engages a French speaking consulting panel to assess the application. Oui. Le Conseil des Arts de Toronto accepte les subventions présentées en français. Veuillez noter que les comités d’évaluation se tiennent en anglais. Lorsqu’une demande de subvention est présentée en français, le Conseil s’assure qu’au moins un évaluateur bilingue siège sur le comité. Veuillez communiquer avec le ou la responsable des subventions de votre programme pour plus d’informations. In which person should my application be written? It is recommended that you write in the first person. It is your project you are writing about, so use your own voice to describe it. Should my writing be formal? It is not necessary to use a formal tone when writing your application. However, it is important to use clear language and simple words so that the grant review panel can understand your proposal / project. Are there specific things the grant review panel wants to hear? Every grant review panel is different, and therefore there is no clear indication of what they are looking for. However, it is important to let the grant assessment panel know why it is essential to fund your project. If you are unclear about what to include in your proposal, ask a TAC Program Manager for advice. Our Program Mangers are here to help you, so don’t hesitate to email or give them a call. I have two great projects that I’m working on. Can I apply for both? No, you can only apply for one project per deadline. If you are unsure which one might have a better chance, contact the Program Manager to discuss your application. In addition to your project grant, you may apply for one Strategic Initiative grant per calendar year. I have one great project that I’m working on. Can I apply to different TAC programs with the same project? No. You can’t request funding for one project through different programs. How specific do I need to be when describing my project? It is a good idea to provide a clear estimate of what your project is going to look like so that the grant review panel and the board knows what they are assessing and approving. Your estimate indicates what you expect will result with the completion of your project. The grant review panel understands that plans may change; an estimated 20-minute film may turn out to be 23 minutes. Individuals, organizations and collectives who have received funding for a project that has resulted in something very different from what was proposed will need to contact the Program Manager to discuss the implications this has for funding. BUDGET, TAXES AND MONEY MATTERS The grant I’m applying for requires a budget. What happens if pending funds from other sources fall through? If you do not receive expected funds from other sources, this does not affect your TAC grant application / TAC funding. Is childcare an eligible expense for project applications? Yes. Toronto Arts Council has accepted childcare expenses for project participants since as early as 2004, either as costs covered by in-kind services, by other project revenues, or paid by the TAC project grant. In all TAC project programs, project expenses can include: artists fees (the payment of artists fees is a requirement in TAC project programs), production and technical fees, marketing and outreach costs, administrative costs, and other expenses necessary to complete the project, including childcare costs during the project timeframe. While there is not an additional grant or a fund specifically for childcare costs, such costs are eligible project expenses, and may be paid by TAC project grant funds, from other revenue sources, or from in-kind donation of service. I’ve received a TAC grant. What can I spend the money on? Depending on the funding program, grants are intended to cover the direct costs of creation, production, operations, and related expenses. Read the application carefully to understand what expenses are eligible. Are TAC grants to individuals taxable? Will I receive a T4A tax receipt for my income taxes? Yes. TAC grants to individuals are considered earned income and recipients will receive a T4A tax receipt the following January or February after grants funds have been issued. A note on grants as earned income: If CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) says your TAC grant does not qualify as income – please note this is incorrect. While travel, education or research grants may not qualify, arts production grants do qualify. ALL TAC individual grants therefore qualify as income. Please refer to CRA guide for Art Production Grant and Artists’ Project Grants for additional information.