Prince Charitable Trusts has been supporting the arts in Chicago for 50 years. Since its founding, 25 years ago, the MacArthur Foundation has been an important contributor to cultural organizations in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince will provide general operating support to mid-sized Chicago arts organizations with proven records of excellence. Funds will be provided by the MacArthur Foundation to Prince Charitable Trusts to make these awards. The fund will be administered according to the Prince Charitable Trusts' selection criteria and processes for operating support grants to cultural organizations.

Eligible Organizations:
Arts and culture organizations eligible to receive these grants include museums, all types of performance groups, visual arts organizations, presenting groups, arts service organizations, community arts programs and organizations that provide high quality arts experiences for young people.

Eligibility Criteria:
Organizations with annual budgets between $500,000 and $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2007 will be eligible. Audited financial statements will be used to verify budgets.

Selection Criteria:
Highest standards of artistic quality
Strong professional management
Strong financial management
Board participation
Evidence of good planning

Types of Grants:
The majority of grants will be unrestricted grants for operating support. There is a presumption of multi-year support, but with annual review. It should be emphasized that these grants will be highly competitive and there will be more qualified applicants than can be supported by the fund.

Geographic Boundaries:
The MacArthur Fund at Prince will primarily support organizations in the city of Chicago. The Trusts are open to proposals from eligible organizations throughout the metropolitan area, but only a small number can be considered each year.

Application Procedures:
No letter of intent is required and there is no special application form. Application procedures are the same as for any other Prince Charitable Trusts operating grants to arts and culture organizations. Organizations are to make only one application to Prince Charitable Trusts. Trusts staff will decide which organizations will be considered for support through the MacArthur fund. Click here for more information on PCT application procedures.

Application Deadline:
Until further notice, applications from arts and culture organizations will only be accepted once a year between May 1 and June 1. There can be no consideration of late applications.

Some Likely Questions about the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince

Q. If an organization meets the criteria for the MacArthur Fund, should it make two applications to Prince Charitable Trusts?
A. No, Groups make only one application to the Trusts. All procedures will be the same as they were for applying to PCT in the past. If an organization met the criteria for PCT support in the past, it is still eligible to apply as before. There are no special forms or criteria (other than budget size) for the MacArthur Fund. Staff will decide which organizations will be supported by the MacArthur fund.

Q. If an organization's budget does not fall between $500,000 and $2,000,000 can it still apply to PCT for operating support?
A. Yes. As in the past, mid-sized organizations with annual budgets above $250,000 are eligible for PCT support.

Q. Can a Letter of Intent or a Proposal be submitted at any time?
A. No. PCT does not require or accept letters of intent. Proposals will be accepted once a year for the June 1 deadline, but not more than 1 month in advance of that date.

Q. Can I apply directly to the MacArthur Foundation and the Prince Charitable Trusts?
A. No. Organizations between $500,000 and $2,000,000 in size will not be supported directly by the MacArthur Foundation. They can receive support only through the MacArthur Fund administered by the Prince Charitable Trusts.

Q. If an organization is eligible for support, but is not funded by PCT, can it apply to MacArthur?
A. No

Q. Are there any differences in eligibility criteria or procedures for organizations that may be funded by the MacArthur Fund and other organizations eligible for PCT support?
A. Only one very small difference. MacArthur funds may be used to support a few producing organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area. PCT funds only in the city of Chicago.