Non-profit AIC member-organizations operating within Calhoun County, including (but not limited to) service organizations, arts organizations, parks and recreational organizations, churches, professional associations, public and non-public schools, cities, townships and villages may apply for Programming Track funding.  However, only arts and culture organizations that are located within Calhoun County are eligible to apply for Marketing Track funding.  Applicants may only apply for one track.

Awards are granted in amounts up to $4,000 per grant.  However, the program is competitive and awards are often less than $4,000.  Awards are distributed as follows: 75% at contract signing and the remaining 25% following approval of the grantee’s final report.

AMP funding may be used for all costs associated with a project except those outlined below.

• non-arts/culture-related activities
• operating costs not directly associated with the project or start-up costs for a new organization
• capital expenses related to the project (construction, renovation; purchase of facilities or permanent equipment) **
• activities conducted outside Calhoun County **
• school teacher salaries, in-service, release time or school administrative costs
• existing deficits, licensing fees, fines, penalties, interest or litigation
• fundraising or allocations to endowment or other restricted funds
• funds which the applicant would regrant to other organizations
• cash prizes, contributions, donations

Review panel meetings are convened approximately two weeks after the application due dates.  Review panels are made up of volunteer art, culture, community and business professionals with appropriate expertise, who come from different areas within Calhoun County.  Review panel membership changes on a regular basis.

During the review panel meetings, applications are discussed, evaluated and scored according to the guidelines and review criteria, for a total of 100 points.  Reviewers also consider application completeness and clarity.

Applications to the AMP Program will be reviewed according to the following criteria, divided into four sections. Each section carries a specific point value used to score the application. The questions posed within these four areas are used by panelists as the primary tool to evaluate each application. Please note that there are two separate criteria sections, one for the Programming Track and one for the Marketing Track. Each panelist will determine whether the questions posed within the review criteria have been adequately addressed by your project proposal and will score your application accordingly.