History
2024-2025 Fiscal Year Grant and Scholarship Amounts Awarded
In June 2024, The Exchange announced it would be awarding a total of $407,000 in grants and scholarships.
$10 Million Awarded
Thanks to our many volunteers, consignors and shoppers for their on going support and patronage, The Exchange has been able to award more than $10 million in grants and scholarship in support of our local art community. All of the scholarship and grant monies used for this purpose are generated through the organizations consignment operation.
Mission
Through the proceeds of a consignment business, provide financial support to local visual and performing arts organizations and programs, and to students in the visual and performing arts.
- Program Grants: Program grants are limited to visual & performing arts programs produced by local 501(c)(3) arts and cultural organizations.
- Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants: Limited to 501(c)(3) arts organizations and educators within Sarasota and Manatee county public, charter and independent schools. Grants are limited to the visual and performing arts, benefiting students grades K-12.
- Student Scholarships: Student scholarships are limited to local high school and college students pursuing a higher education in the visual and performing arts.
Deadlines
- The application process begins Nov. 1 and closes on Jan. 31 of each year. The Exchange has a firm deadline and therefore applications must be submitted in their entirety before 4:00 pm on Jan. 31.
- In April, the Board of Directors will notify all applicants via email as to whether or not they will be receiving a grant or scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
Each applicant must meet specific eligibility requirements.
Program Grant Applicants
The Exchange provides grants to support and enrich a variety of programs for local arts and cultural organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties
- Grants are restricted to organizations whose primary purpose is to promote and/or produce the visual or performing arts.
- Projects must take place between July 1 and June 30 of the fiscal year in which grant funds are allocated.
- The project must be accessible to the public.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the project has artistic merit.
- Applicants must be exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Local 501(c)(3) art organizations are eligible to apply for both grant programs offered by The Exchange. "Program" grants benefit the public whereas "The Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education" grants benefit students K-12.
The Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grant Applicants
Grants for this purpose may include curriculum-based residencies, workshops, arts related day trips, assemblies/performances and out of school experiences. Programs may either use Cultural Educators working on-site in the school setting and/or day trips to cultural institutions for performances or exhibitions. Programs must occur during the regular school day. Arts Education projects and performances may be in any artistic discipline.
- Local nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) art organizations with an eligible school partner. Grants are restricted to Sarasota and Manatee county public, charter and independent schools and teachers grades K-12.
- Projects must take place between July 1 and June 30 of the fiscal year in which grant funds are allocated.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the project has artistic merit and must involve at least one tax-exempt 501(c)(3) art organization.
- Although not a prerequisite, priority will be given to projects that include a managing partner or group of partners that act as the coordinating entity and involve other cross-sector organizations/partners, one of which is a 501(c)(3) arts/cultural organization. We are referring to a collaborative effort that involves the community on some level.
Scholarship Applicants
- Scholarships are awarded annually to local high school and college students interested in pursuing a higher education in the visual and performing arts. The Exchange is one of Sarasota and Manatee counties largest scholarship providers
- Applicants must be a resident of Sarasota or Manatee County.
- Relatives of The Exchange board members, employees and their relatives are not eligible to apply.
Funds will not be granted for the following:
- Capital Support, including new construction or renovation
- Cash reserve
- Endowment
- Fellowships or scholarships
- Travel, entertainment or housing expenses
NOTE: Travel expenses will be granted for The Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants Program ONLY. - Conference or seminar attendance costs
- Fund raising
- Loans
- Multi-year projects
- Administration costs not related to the project
- Space rentals not related to the project
- Out of Sarasota County touring of exhibitions or performances
- Real property
- Reduction of existing deficits
- Operating support
- Payroll taxes, pensions or fringe benefits
- Utilities
- Out-of-town audition expenses
- General organizational marketing programs and/or related expenses
Required Documentation
To help you prepare, below is a list of required documents in the proper order in which they should be submitted for review.
Program Grant and Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Applicants
- Application with required signatures.
- Determination letter from the IRS confirming 501(c) (3) status. *
- List of Board of Directors - Include address and occupation for each board member. *
- Most recent IRS Form 990 unless available on the "Giving Partners" website. *
- Current Audited Statement unless available on the "Giving Partners" website. *
- Annual Operating Budget for the Organization. *
- If you are collaborating with other organizations on the project, include letters from the heads of those organizations stating their artistic and financial involvement in the specific project.
- If you received a grant in the past, please submit one copy of all publicity material with the "original" application copy.
* NOTE: An organization may apply for a Program Grant annually, and may apply for an Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education grant once during any two-year grant cycle. Separate applications are required for each. However, duplicate information is not needed in the Arts in Education Grant application. Do not combine applications;, each application will be evaluated independently. Only one application is allowed per grant program.
Scholarships Applicants
- Application
- Personal 300 word essay outlining your educational goals, career aspirations and reasons why you consider yourself deserving of a scholarship.
- Two signed letters of recommendation from a faculty member, instructor or mentor in your proposed field.
- A copy of your most recent transcript is to be sent directly from the institution to: The Exchange, 539 S. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Florida, 34236. Attention: Executive Director/CEO
- Two proofs of Sarasota/Manatee County residency if you haven't graduated from a local high school. (If you graduated from a local high school, provide the name of the school and the year of graduation.) Proof of residency may include: Florida driver license, Florida voter registration card, utility bill, lease, etc.
Final Report Required from all Grant Recipients
A final report detailing the use of grant funds for the 2024–2025 fiscal year must be submitted to The Exchange by June 3, 2025. Please note that any unrequested funds by this date will be forfeited, with no exceptions, due to our fiscal year-end.
Your final report must include the following:
- Name and contact information for the individual who administered the grant.
- A copy of your original award letter, as presented during the awards celebration.
- Signatures from both the grant administrator and the CEO of your organization.
- Documentation of recognition efforts: Please describe how your organization acknowledged or promoted your partnership with The Exchange. Supporting materials (e.g., photos, social media posts, newsletters, press mentions) must be included.
Financial Documentation
- A detailed breakdown of the project’s income and expenses.
- A Profit & Loss (Income) Statement for the funded program.
- Either copies of all receipts or a QuickBooks report (including a Transaction Detail Report) that substantiates all expenses.
Budget Comparison
- Side-by-side comparison of projected vs. actual figures for:
- Expenses
- Income
- Attendance
(This should follow the same format as your originally submitted “Proposed Project Budget.”)
Mail to: The Exchange
539 S. Orange Ave.
Sarasota, Florida 34236