California Story Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Council fund individuals?
No, individuals seeking funds for a project must be fiscally sponsored by a California nonprofit organization or municipal or state agency.
Does the nonprofit sponsor need 501(c)(3) status?
No, the sponsor just has to be a California-based, legitimate and viable nonprofit organization.
Do universities qualify as non-profits?
Yes.
What are the responsibilities of a fiscal sponsor?
The fiscal sponsor is the entity with overall and final accountability for the project. A fiscal sponsor of the project must sign off on the grant agreement and other required award documents and reports if the proposal is approved for funding. Ideally, the sponsoring organization should have an “organic” relationship to the project, and should provide tangible resources and support to the project. In any case, the project should align with the mission of the sponsoring organization.
Can an organization apply for a new grant if it has already received a California Story Fund award?
Organizations that have previously received a California Story Fund grant may submit a new application only if the previous grant has been officially closed and all required reports have been submitted.
Can an organization apply for more than one California Story Fund grant?
An organization may not submit more than one application per deadline unless acting as a CCH-approved fiscal sponsor. Please ask a program manager if you have any questions.
In your “We Do Not Fund” section, what is meant by “advocacy on behalf of a cause” and “the creation of promotional pieces”?
The California Story Fund is not intended to support activities that might be considered attempts to promote or garner support for a cause or an organization. The hallmarks of the humanities are reflection, critical thinking, analysis, and contextualization. To the extent possible all Story Fund projects should contain a critical component and incorporate a diversity of perspectives and/or voices.
Do grant funds have to be used to collect new stories?
No, grant funds can also be used for archival research or to provide a forum to share and discuss stories.
What formats can projects use to present stories?
Possible formats include but are not limited to the following: photography and interpretive exhibit, radio documentaries, digital media (30-minute maximum length), dramatic presentation, interpretive artwork (e.g., murals), poetry readings, storytelling events, film festivals, panel presentations and community conferences. Consult a programs manager to see if other formats are acceptable.
What is a public event?
A public event is a real-time, face-to-face program that gives the public an opportunity to engage with the stories your project presents, and discuss their meaning and relevance to the community. Radio, television or web-based programs must also host a public “in-person” event. A dramatic or theatrical presentation should include at least one pre- or post-performance discussion event. These events should be free or low cost and open to participation by the general public.
Does the project have to be done in English?
CCH does not impose any language requirements. Your project can be carried out in any language as long as it meets the needs of the audience and is appropriate to the subject matter. Your program can be monolingual or multilingual, depending on the needs of your audience.
Can a current Council member serve as a humanities expert on a project?
Yes, as long as they avoid any action that could be interpreted as a use of Council membership to further their own interests or those of an affiliate institution. Council members named in a proposal or significantly involved with the creation of a proposal may not vote on or participate in discussion of that proposal. In addition, they may not receive honoraria, salary, or other compensation for consultation on a Council-sponsored or Council-funded program.
Can a project director serve as the humanities expert?
Yes.
How can I locate a humanities expert?
Check with a local higher education institution (college or university), consult a reference librarian, do a Web search on your topic, or contact your local CCH programs manager (see below).
What does “technical expertise” mean?
CCH requires the involvement of personnel knowledgeable about the medium/media your project will employ, e.g., videography, photography, exhibit design, oral history. Your proposal should demonstrate that project personnel have PRIOR experience in the project medium/media.
What is the earliest date that project activities funded by CCH can commence?
Project activities funded by CCH can commence beginning July 1, 2009, for proposals submitted for the April 1, 2009, deadline. Project activities undertaken with other funding can, of course, occur before and after the grant period.
What is the maximum amount an applicant can request?
An organization may request up to $10,000 in funds for a project.
What does “in-kind” mean?
In-kind refers to any non-cash contribution of labor, materials, goods or services donated to the project. It can include the contribution of staff salaried time; volunteer hours; office space; use of equipment for administrative or programmatic purposes; services or materials donated for publicity, promotion, or evaluation; public program supports, including refreshments, travel, lodging, and meals for project staff or participants. If a service provider or vendor gives you a discounted price, the difference between that price and their customary fee or charge can be counted as part of your in-kind match.
Can expenses incurred before our project start date count towards the match?
No, only expenses incurred DURING the grant period may count as a match. However, expenditures made toward the project before the grant period should be noted in the appropriate column
Can federal funds be used towards the match?
No, funds from NEH, NEA or other federal programs may not be used for the match.
Do grants from private foundations count as nonfederal matching funds?
Yes, but only if they are spent on project activities that will take place during the award period.
How are the funds disbursed?
90% of the funds are disbursed with the submission of signed award documents, the last 10% upon approval of the final report.
When writing the budget narrative, is it necessary to explain whether the match is cash or in-kind? And is it necessary to say who the provider of the matching cash is?
You are not required to explain the source of your match, but it is a good rule of thumb to provide as much information about your budget as you are able.
Can indirect fees be used to pay the fees of the grant writer?
No, because these would be expenses incurred before the grant period.
Can we use toward the match the hours that somebody works on a project on a volunteer basis if at other times the person is paid for the same work? For instance, the project director may work half of the project period on a volunteer basis.
Yes. We encourage you to break these costs out in terms of an hourly wage in your budget narrative.
When are applications due?
Applications must be submitted by noon on April 1, 2009.
Are samples of successful proposals available?
Yes, please check with a program manager in your region. They can provide you with a sample of a previously funded model proposal.
When and how will applicants be notified of funding?
The application review process takes about three months. You will be notified by the end of June. If your project is funded, the sponsoring organization will be sent an award packet with documents that must be signed and returned to CCH in order for a check to be issued. Sometimes conditions are attached to awards. If so, you must satisfy the conditions before the award check can be issued. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.
How much time should I allow to complete the online submission of my application?
Allow at least an hour and a half.
How will I know that my application was received?
Applicants will be notified of receipt of their proposals by e-mail.
When will awards be announced?
The review process takes approximately three months. Applicants will be notified by June 30, 2009.
Do you have any Web resources available for applicants?
Yes, the Council has prepared a Web toolbox that includes such items as “A How-To Manual for Conducting Oral Histories,” a list of “Online Story-Sharing and Oral History Resources,” and a sample “Oral History Release Form.” These items can be downloaded at http://www.calhum.org/Resources/resources_main.htm. There is also a webinar archived on the Council’s website with helpful information about applying to the California Story Fund. The webinar can be found at http://www.calhum.org/guidelines/guidelines_csf_webinars.htm.
If funded, what are the reporting requirements?
CCH requires grantees to submit, within 90 days after the termination of the grant period, a final report consisting of an evaluation report; final expenditures report summarizing all expenditures of CCH grant funds and local matching amounts (whether cash or in-kind); hard copies of participant surveys and sign-in sheets; and two copies of any final tangible product(s) resulting from the project.
If my project is not funded, does the declination letter explain why? Not specifically, but if you contact a program manager from your region shortly after receiving the letter, they will be able to provide you with information.
Who should I contact if I need more grant information or have questions about the application process?
Contact the programs manager at the CCH office nearest you. We also encourage you to check our website for informational workshops prior to developing your proposal.
Where can I learn more about the California Stories Initiative?
More information about the current initiative and other Council-supported projects can be found at our website at www.californiastories.org.
San Francisco Bay Area
John Lightfoot
Programs Manager
415-391-1474 ext. 314
jlightfoot@calhum.org
Central Valley and Northern California
Raeshma Razvi
Programs Manager
415-391-1474 ext. 316
rrazvi@calhum.org
Los Angeles and Central Coast
Felicia Kelley
Senior Programs Manager
213-623-5993AmyR@calhum.org
fkelley@calhum.org
San Diego, Imperial Valley, Inland Empire and Orange County
Amy Rouillard
Senior Programs Manager
619-232-4020
AmyR@calhum.org