California Documentary Project
Production Grants for Film, Radio and New Media
| Deadline: November 1, 2010 | |
| Noon: | Deadline for electronic submission of online application and uploaded proposal narrative and budget |
| 5 pm: | Deadline for work samples to be received at CCH’s San Francisco office No late applications will be accepted |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What types of film and radio projects are eligible for a California Documentary Project grant?
The Council seeks original film and radio projects that document the California experience and explore issues of significance to Californians. Film and radio projects must be solidly based in the humanities and be suitable for California and national audiences. While there is no restriction on subject matter, projects will be evaluated on their relevance to California and national audiences. Productions of any documentary style are eligible to apply, however historical projects should make a clear case for their subjects’ relevance to contemporary audiences. Since 2003, CDP has supported a broad range of projects covering diverse subject matter in multiple styles. Please see www.calhum.org for a list of previously supported CDP film and radio projects.
What types of new media projects are eligible for a California Documentary Project grant?
The Council seeks original, interactive projects that document the California experience and explore issues of significance to Californians. New media projects must be solidly based in the humanities and be suitable for California and national audiences. Projects may incorporate a range of media formats and should capitalize on the interactive potential of the Internet, mobile technology or other digital media to engage users and cultivate user participation. The Council is particularly interested in projects that encourage active and continued collaboration between media makers and humanities advisors. Projects may be related thematically to companion films, radio documentaries, museum exhibitions, books, etc., but they should not be primarily promotional in nature. Please see www.calhum.org for a list of previously supported CDP new media projects.
Does the Council fund individuals? No. Individuals seeking funds for a project must be sponsored by a tax-exempt organization or municipal/state agency, preferably one based in California.
Does the non-profit sponsor need 501(c)(3) status?
No, but the sponsor has to be a viable non-profit organization with tax exempt status. Although not required, the Council strongly prefers that the sponsor be based in California.
What are the responsibilities of the sponsoring organization?
The sponsoring organization must approve the submission of the proposal, be willing and able to administer grant funds in conformity with the terms of the grant agreement, and must accept full responsibility for undertaking and supporting the project as outlined in the proposal. If a grant is awarded, the authorizing official of the organization will receive the award packet and must sign the grant agreement and other required award documents before any funds can be disbursed. The sponsoring organization is the entity with overall and final accountability to CCH for the project.
Can an organization apply for more than one grant at a time?
Generally, no. However, applicants to the Public Engagement Program may also apply to the CDP Production or Research and Development programs with a new project. Otherwise, an organization can only apply for one grant per deadline unless it is an approved media fiscal sponsor (e.g., BAVC, IDA, SFFS, PRX, etc.). If you have any questions about an organization’s eligibility, please contact the CCH Grants and Contracts Manager, Lucy Nguyen, at Lnguyen@calhum.org.
Who should be the project director and what is his or her role?
In most cases the project’s director, producer, or executive producer should serve as the grant application’s designated project director. If for any reason the individual listed as project director is not the director, producer, or executive producer, please provide an explanation. In this case, the proposal should also clearly specify who the primary creative force behind the project will be and submit media samples that reflect this individual’s work. Please note that if funded, the individual listed as project director will be CCH’s official administrative primary contact throughout the grant period.
Can an individual serve as project director on more than one CCH grant at a time?
Generally, an individual can only serve as project director on one active CCH grant at any given time. If an individual is already serving as a project director on a CCH-funded project, he/she must complete the project and submit a final report before applying for another grant. Please note that final reports require approximately two weeks for approval and should be submitted well in advance of the next grant deadline. Previously-funded CDP project directors applying to the Public Engagement program are an exception. Please see the Public Engagement guidelines for more information.
What is the maximum amount an applicant can request for production?
Film/video and radio projects with national broadcast potential can request up to $50,000. New media projects can request up to $20,000.
Are matching funds required?
Yes. Each grant request must be matched by at least a 1:1 amount of cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources. All matching funds and in-kind contributions must be spent on project-related activities that will take place during the grant period, i.e., between March 1, 2011 and the project end date. Cash on hand for use during the award period and/or secured commitments to provide funds, labor, equipment, services or other material support to the project during the award period are all eligible sources of matching contributions. Cash or the value of goods, services and labor spent on the project prior to March 1, 2011, however, cannot be counted toward the required match, although your full project budget should reflect these income sources. Applicants should include all non-CCH donors in their proposal budget when tallying cash or in-kind contributions, even after the one-to-one match requirement is met.
What does in-kind mean?
In-kind refers to any 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; materials donated for publicity, promotion or evaluation; public program items, including refreshments; and travel, lodging and meals for project staff or participants. Please note: Applicants are expected to determine the fair-market value of these contributions.
Can federal funds be used towards the match?
No. Funds from NEH, NEA, state humanities councils or other federally-assisted programs may not be used for the match.
Is there a project budget limit for this grant?
No.
How are funds disbursed?
Film and radio: 50% of the funds are disbursed upon approval of signed award documents; 40% are disbursed upon approval of an interim report; and the final 10% of funds are disbursed upon project completion and approval of a final report.
New media: 90% of the funds are disbursed upon approval of signed award documents and the final 10% of funds are disbursed upon project completion and approval of a final report.
What costs are eligible for support?
- Salaries and professional fees for production staff and technical consultants
- Honoraria and stipends for humanities advisors
- Production and post-production expenses
- Travel, lodging and per-diem expenses for staff, consultants, humanities advisors, and researchers
- Supplies and materials for production activities
- Equipment (rental, unless purchase cost is less)
- Administrative expenses directly related to the project, including phone, postage, photocopying and printing
- Fiscal sponsor or indirect administrative fees (up to 10% of your total CCH grant request)
- Project administrative salaries and fringe benefits (up to 25% of your total CCH grant request)
Is there a time limit for project completion?
Yes. The maximum term for this grant is three years. The grant period begins March 1, 2011, and ends February 28, 2014.
What are the humanities?
The humanities grow from an interest in the language, literature, thought, and history of humankind and an analytical and discursive approach to understanding and communicating the human experience. They emphasize analysis, interpretation, and exchange of ideas. The humanities include, but are not limited to, the disciplines of history, philosophy, literature, folklore, American studies, women's studies, ethnic studies, foreign languages (both classical and modern), linguistics, religious studies, ethics, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, jurisprudence, art history, literary criticism, and philosophical approaches to the social sciences. These fields are differentiated from the creative expression of the arts or the quantitative analysis of the sciences or social sciences.
What is meant by “Projects must approach the subject matter from a humanities perspective”?
Projects should use the humanities to approach their subject critically and analytically. A humanities-based approach makes use of existing scholarship and research on the topic, incorporates a variety of perspectives, and seeks to foster critical reflection and thoughtful analysis on the part of the audience.
Who qualifies as a humanities advisor?
- Academic scholars (individuals with an advanced degree in a humanities discipline or individuals teaching or researching in a scholarly institution, e.g., professors, some curators and librarians)
- Independent advisors (individuals who have researched, written and/or spoken about a humanities topic and are considered experts in their field, e.g., journalist, artist, curator, non-professional historian)
- Community advisors/culture bearers (individuals who by virtue of their life experience, training and/or standing in a community carry the knowledge, wisdom and collective historical records of the group, e.g., tribal or neighborhood elders or practitioners of traditional cultural forms)
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 who are 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 payment for consultation in a Council-sponsored or Council-funded program.
How can I locate a humanities expert?
Check with a local higher education institution (college or university), do a web search on your topic, or contact the California Documentary Project Program Officer, John Lightfoot, at jlightfoot@calhum.org.
What does technical expertise mean?
CCH requires the involvement of personnel who are knowledgeable about the medium/media your project will employ, e.g., filmmaker, radio producer, web designer, content developer, etc. Your proposal should demonstrate that project personnel have PRIOR experience in the proposed project medium/media.
When will applicants be notified of funding?
The application review process takes approximately four months. If your project receives funding, the sponsoring organization will be sent an award packet by March 1, 2011 containing documents that must be signed and returned to CCH in order for funds to be disbursed. If conditions are attached to an award, they must be satisfied before funds can be disbursed. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing by March 1, 2011.
If my application is unsuccessful, can I apply again with the same project?
Yes, subject to other conditions and eligibility requirements. Should you wish, you may contact the California Documentary Project Program Officer to receive feedback on the application.
How many times can a project receive a California Documentary Project Production Grant?
Once. Can I apply for this grant if my project is already in post-production? No. The project must still in be in production.
Can grant funds be utilized for post-production expenses?
Yes, but not solely for post-production. The California Documentary Production Grant is designed to propel projects towards completion while involving humanities advisors at the earliest date possible. The Council expects grantees to utilize funds primarily, but not exclusively, for production expenses.
Can I apply for support for more than one documentary project at a time?
Generally, no. You can only submit ONE application per California Documentary Project funding cycle. The exception to this rule applies to previously-funded CDP project directors who wish to apply to the Public Engagement program.
If funded, what are your reporting requirements?
CCH requires grantees to submit: 1) an interim report, including a narrative of project activities conducted to date, and an interim expenditures report showing outright fund amounts and local/in kind matching amounts, and 2) within 90 days after the termination of the grant period, a final report consisting of an evaluation report, a final expenditures report summarizing all expenditures of CCH grant funds and local matching amounts (whether cash or in kind); and five copies of any final tangible product(s) resulting from the project.
How should we acknowledge CCH if funded?
Any tangible product of grant activity (film/video/audio productions, websites, public reports, exhibits, etc.) must credit the California Council for the Humanities. If funded, specific credit language and logo requirements will be detailed in the grant agreement.
Does the Council conduct informational grants workshops and webinars?
Yes. The Council will offer informational workshops and webinars in September 2010. Information on grant workshops will be made available on the CCH website.
Must I submit an electronic application?
Yes. An applicant must submit an online grant application form and attach the required documents.
Can I use my own budget form?
No. Please download and submit the Excel budget form provided at www.calhum.org. Not all fields may apply to your project and you may leave line items blank. Please note that project budgets are weighed heavily in the review and all expenses should be accurately noted. If you have questions, please contact the California Documentary Project Program Officer.
Can I personally deliver supporting materials to CCH?
No. Applications or supporting materials hand-delivered by applicants will not be accepted. All supporting materials must be delivered by U.S. mail, FedEx, UPS or other courier services.
What is the deadline for this grant?
Applications must be submitted electronically via the CCH website by noon on Monday, November 1, 2010. Sample work must be received by mail in CCH’s San Francisco office by 5 pm on November 1.
When will the online application be available?
An application form will be available on the CCH website on Friday, October 1, 2010. (The guidelines, including the proposal narrative requirements, are available for review on the website now.) Applicants have one month, from October 1, 2010 until noon on November 1, 2010, to complete and submit their application and all electronic supplemental materials (narrative and budget). The online application will be removed from the CCH website promptly at noon on November 1.
How much time should I allow to complete my online application?
Please allow at least two hours to complete the application.
What should I mail to the CCH San Francisco office?
Film and radio applicants:
- Two copies of previously completed work (DVD/CD)
- Two copies of the work-in-progress for which you seek funding, suggested length: 10 minutes (DVD/CD)
New media applicants:
- Internet link(s) to a previously completed web-based project or two copies of media samples (DVD/CD)
- Internet link or two copies of the new media work-in-progress for which you seek funding (DVD/CD)
Please send work sample to:Please do not use sticker labels directly on DVDs and CDs.
California Documentary Project Production Grant
California Council for the Humanities
312 Sutter Street, Suite 601
San Francisco, CA 94108
How will I know that my application was received?
Applicants will be notified of receipt of their proposals by e-mail. If your e-mail provider uses spam blocking, please put lnguyen@calhum.org on your "safe list" so that our e-mails will be received. When will awards be announced? The review process takes approximately four months. Applicants will be notified in February, 2011. The grant period officially begins on March 1, 2011.
Where can I learn more about the Council?
More information about the Council is located on our website: www.calhum.org.
Whom should I contact if I have questions about eligibility, grant guidelines and requirements, or the CDP grant program in general?
Contact John Lightfoot, Program Officer, at jlightfoot@calhum.org.
Whom should I contact if I have technical questions about the online application process and reporting requirements?
Contact Lucy Nguyen, Grants and Contracts Manager, at lnguyen@calhum.org.
