3135-0112 Partnership Agreements RAOs Application Form and Instruc

Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 2
Step 1: Fill out the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF-424 Mandatory) .............. 3
Step 2: Fill out the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) .................................................... 6
Step 3: Complete and Attach Required Items to the Attachments Form .................................. 7
The Attachments...................................................................................................................... 8
Attachment Button 1: Staffing List ..................................................................................... 8
Attachment Button 2: Board Membership List .................................................................. 8
Attachment Button 3: Revenue Sources Information Form ............................................... 9
Attachment Button 4: Application Narrative (ON-YEAR: up to 12 pages).......................... 9
Attachment Button 4: Application Narrative (OFF-YEAR: up to 2 pages)......................... 14
Attachment Button 5: Strategic Plan ................................................................................ 15
Attachment Button 6: Changes in Conflict of Interest/Appeals ....................................... 16
Step 4: Submit items electronically through Grants.gov......................................................... 17
Updates ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Additional Help ......................................................................................................................... 18

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions

Introduction
We use a staggered, multi-year review for Regional Arts Organizations (RAO) Partnership
Agreements. The organizations listed below as ON-YEAR applicants are required to submit fullscale applications, while all other RAOs listed below as OFF-YEAR applicants have simplified
requirements. Please read fully through these complete instructions and follow the step-bystep instructions relevant to your status as either an ON-YEAR or OFF-YEAR applicant. ALL
applicants will complete ALL four steps included in these instructions.
ON-YEAR RAOs FOR FY 2024: Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts, New England
Foundation for the Arts, South Arts
OFF-YEAR RAOs FOR FY 2024: Arts Midwest, Western States Arts Federation
All applicants will need to submit an Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF-424) and
a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL). In addition, a complete application includes the
Attachments Form, to which you will attach items included in the checklist below, based on
your status as ON-YEAR or OFF-YEAR:

REQUIRED FORMS, all applicants
Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF-424)
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)
ATTACHMENTS FORM, based on status
1. Staffing List
2. Board Membership List
3. Revenue Sources Information Form
4. Application Narrative*
5. Strategic Plan *
6. Changes in Conflict of Interest/Appeals

ON-YEAR
APPLICANTS

OFF-YEAR
APPLICANTS

Y
Y

Y
Y

Y
Y
Y
Up to 2 pgs
Y
If relevant

Y
Y
Y
Up to 12 pgs
N
If relevant

Items with an asterisk (*) will be reviewed by Partnership Agreements reviewers. Other
submitted items are for administrative use only. Application narratives should not refer
reviewers to any other application materials that you submit.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
Completing Grants.gov forms
All asterisked (*) items and yellow fields on the Grants.gov forms are required and must be
completed before you will be able to submit. Do not type in all capital letters when completing
the forms. Enter information directly into the forms. Do not copy from an old application
package or another document and paste into the forms.

Step 1: Fill out the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF-424

Mandatory)

1. Items 1a-d default to certain selections; do not change them.
2. Date Received: This will be filled automatically with the date that you submit your
application; leave blank.
3. Applicant Identifier: This is for your own use or you can leave blank.
4., 5., and 6.: Leave blank.
7. Applicant Information:
a. Legal Name: The name provided here must be the applicant's legal name as it appears in
the current IRS 501(c)(3) status letter or in the official document that identifies the
organization as a unit of state or local government. (Do not use your organization's popular
name, if different.)
b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): Enter the 9-digit number that was
assigned by the Internal Revenue Service; do not use a Social Security Number.
c. Organizational Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): All organizational applicants for federal
funds must have a UEI. Enter your organization’s UEI here. You can find your UEI in your
System for Award Management (SAM) record. If you cannot locate your UEI, contact SAM
for assistance. NOTE: Do not enter a DUNS number here. The UEI you enter here must
match the UEI associated with your organization’s SAM (System for Award Management)
record that was used as part of your Grants.gov registration. Otherwise, your application
will not be validated by Grants.gov and will be rejected.
d. Address: Use Street 1 for your organization’s physical street address. This address must
be identical to the physical address that you used with SAM (System for Award
Management). Only, use Street 2 for your organization’s mailing address if it differs from
the SAM physical street address.
In the Zip/Postal Code box, organizations in the United States should enter the full 9-digit
zip code that was assigned by the U.S. Postal Service. If you do not know your full zip code,
you may look it up at https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm.
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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
e. Organizational Unit: Leave blank.
f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this
application: Provide the requested information for the individual who should be contacted
on all matters involving this application and the administration of any grant that may be
awarded. Due to restrictions from the Department of Homeland Security we are not able to
send emails to alias addresses that forward to another email account. Do not enter this type
of email address.
8a. Type of Applicant: Select the item that best characterizes your organization from the menu
in the first drop down box. An additional description is optional.
9. Name of Federal Agency: This has been pre-populated.
10. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: This has been pre-populated.
11. Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project: Enter “Partnership Agreement”.
12. Areas Affected by Funding: Leave blank.
13. Congressional District Information:
a. Applicant: Enter the number of the Congressional District where the applicant
organization is physically located. Use the following format: 2 character State Abbreviation3 character District Number. For example, if your organization is located in the 5th
Congressional District of California, enter "CA-005." If your state has a single At-Large
Representative or your jurisdiction has a single Delegate, enter your 2-character
state/jurisdiction abbreviation and "-000." If you need help determining your district, visit
the House of Representatives website at www.house.gov and use the "Find Your
Representative" tool.
b. Project: Leave blank.
14. Funding Period: Enter the beginning and ending dates for your requested period of
performance, i.e., the span of time necessary to plan, execute, and close out your Partnership
Agreement, including all subawards made with NEA funds and the cost share/matching funds.
The start date should be the first day of the month, and the end date should be the last day of
the month. The period of performance may start on or after July 1, 2024. Generally, a period of
performance of up to two years is allowed.
15. Estimated Funding:
a. Federal: Enter "0."
b. Match: Leave blank.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
16. State Executive Order 12372 Process: Nonprofit organizations should check box c:
“Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.”
17. Is the Applicant Delinquent on Any Federal Debt?: Examples of relevant debt include
delinquent payroll or other taxes, audit disallowances, and benefit overpayments. If your
response is "yes," click on the "Yes" box and include an explanation with your application.
18. Authorized Representative: Enter the requested information for the AOR (Authorized
Organization Representative) who will be submitting this application to Grants.gov. The AOR
must have the legal authority to obligate your organization. Due to restrictions from the
Department of Homeland Security we are not able to send emails to alias addresses that
forward to another email account. Do not enter this type of email address. By clicking the "I
Agree" box in Item 18 this individual will be certifying compliance with relevant federal
requirements on your organization's behalf. (These requirements can be found in the Assurance
of Compliance section of these guidelines.) The "Signature of Authorized Representative" and
"Date Signed" boxes will be populated by Grants.gov upon submission of the application.
Stop after item 18. Do not add attachments.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions

Step 2: Fill out the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)
Items 1.-3. default to certain selections; do not change them.
4. Name and Address of Reporting Entity: Provide the requested information for the reporting
entity. Include Congressional District, if known.
5. If Reporting Entity in No. 4 is Subawardee: Leave blank.
6. Federal Department/Agency: Enter "National Endowment for the Arts."
7. Federal Program: This has been pre-populated.
8. Federal Action Number, if known: Leave blank.
9. Award Amount, if known: Leave blank.
10. a. Name and Address of Lobbying Registrant: Provide the requested information for the
registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 engaged by the reporting entity
identified in item 4 to influence the covered federal action. If not applicable, enter "N/A" in
the fields for First Name, Last Name, Address 1, and City.
b. Individual Performing Services: Enter the name of the individual performing services, and
include an address if different from 10 (a). If not applicable, enter "N/A" in the fields for
First Name, Last Name, Address 1, and City.
11. Authorized Representative: Provide the requested information for the AOR (Authorized
Organization Representative) who will be submitting the Partnership Agreements application to
Grants.gov. This should be the same person listed as the AOR on the Application for Federal
Domestic Assistance (SF-424 Mandatory). The "Signature" and "Date" boxes will be populated
by Grants.gov upon submission of the application.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions

Step 3: Complete and Attach Required Items to the Attachments Form
The "Attachments Form" is not a form in the conventional sense. Rather, it is a place to attach
documents that you have completed and saved elsewhere on your computer.
•

All attachments are documents (e.g., narratives, lists) that you will develop in
accordance with the instructions provided. These items must be submitted as PDF files.
o Do not create PDFs of your electronic documents by scanning. Do not embed
non-printable media files (video and/or sound) in your PDF documents. Static
images (e.g., pictures) are acceptable. Do not enable any document security
settings or password-protect any PDF file you submit to us.
o No attachment should be more than 2 MB.

•

For non-form documents, label pages clearly with the name of the item (e.g., Staffing
List) and your organization's legal name. Leave a margin of at least one inch at the top,
bottom, and sides of all pages. Do not reduce type below 12-point font size. Do not
type in all capital letters. Number pages sequentially; place numbers on the bottom
right hand corner of each page. Excess pages will be removed and will not be reviewed.

•

Name your files as indicated below and attach them in the proper order. Limit file
names to 50 characters and use only the following characters when naming your
attachments: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore (_), hyphen (-), space, and period. You cannot
change the name of a file on the Attachments Form. Therefore, make certain that each
file is named correctly before you attach it. Your agency name (or acronym) must be
included in each file name (e.g. "ABCArtsCouncilStaff").

When you open the Grants.gov Attachments Form, you will find 15 attachment buttons. By
clicking on a button, you will be able to choose the PDF file from your computer that you wish
to attach. Attach the proper file to the proper button as listed below.
The required documents in Step 3 differ for ON-YEAR and OFF-YEAR applicants. Please refer
to the chart at the beginning of these instructions, and/or follow the prompts below related
to each document.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions

The Attachments
Attachment Button 1: Staffing List
ALL APPLICANTS: Required
To this button, attach a one-page Staffing List. The file name should include the name of your
organization or a recognizable acronym followed by "Staff" (e.g., "ABCArtsCouncilStaff").
Label the page clearly with your organization's legal name and "Staffing List." Set your page up
with two columns with these headings: 1) Name, and 2) Position Title/Area of Responsibility.
Provide the requested information on all professional staff. Include both salaried and
contractual personnel (including Arts Education and Folk & Traditional Arts staff), with the
exception of artists who spend more than 50% of their working time away from your offices.
•

Place "(504)" in parentheses by the name of the staff member who serves as your
agency's 504 coordinator.

•

OPTIONAL (For research purposes only): Indicate by asterisk (*) personnel who are one
or more of the following: American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian or
Other Pacific Islander; Black or African American; or Hispanic or Latina/o.

Example:
Name
Jane Doe *
John Smith (504)

Position Title/Area of Responsibility
Executive Director
Director for Education

Attachment Button 2: Board Membership List
ALL APPLICANTS: Required
To this button, attach a one-page Board Membership List. The file name should include the
name of your organization or a recognizable acronym followed by "Board."
Label the page clearly with your organization's legal name and "Board Membership List." Set
your page up with four columns with these headings: 1) Name, 2) Occupation, 3) City, and 4)
Arts Interest/Affiliation.
Provide the requested information on all board members.
•

OPTIONAL (For research purposes only): Indicate by asterisk (*) members who are one
or more of the following: American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian or
Other Pacific Islander; Black or African American; or Hispanic or Latina/ o.

•

Indicate by a cross (+) members who also are office holders.
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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
Example:
Name

Occupation

City

Mary Smith +

Lawyer

Springfield

Bill Doe *

Business Owner

Sunnyvale

Arts Interest/
Affiliation
Board, ABC Dance
Company
Visual Arts Patron

Attachment Button 3: Revenue Sources Information Form
ALL APPLICANTS: Required
DOWNLOAD FORM
To this button, attach the Revenue Sources Information form. The file should include the name
of your organization or a recognizable acronym followed by “Revenue.” When completing this
form, include entire organizational budget figures, not just NEA dollars.

Attachment Button 4: Application Narrative (ON-YEAR: up to 12 pages)
ON-YEAR APPLICANTS: Required (up to 12 pages)
OFF-YEAR APPLICANTS: Please see instructions on page 14 for Application Narrative (up to 2
pages)
To this button, attach an Application Narrative, not to exceed 12 number pages in length
including the budget chart. The file name should include the name of your organization or a
recognizable acronym followed by "Narrative." Label each page clearly with your organization's
legal name and "Application Narrative."
Provide electronic links to support material in your narrative. Be selective so as not to over
burden reviewers.
The Review Criteria for Regional Arts Organizations will be used in the review of your
application.
A. Overview
Describe major developments or conditions in your region – e.g., economic, cultural,
demographic, educational, geographical, or other – that have an impact on your
organization's planning and operations.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
B. Planning Process
Provide specific, explicitly stated facts and figures about the methods employed to reach
and involve participants. Include the number, dates, times, and locations of constituent
meetings, numbers of participants, and which sectors they represent. Any discussion of
reaching and serving underserved communities should identify those constituencies your
organization considers underserved and describe your efforts to engage these communities.
Information required by Section 5(g) of the National Endowment for the Arts’ legislation is
indicated with an asterisk (*) below.
1. Describe your organization’s most recent planning process, including:
•

The design and structure of the process;

•

Efforts undertaken to engage member state arts agencies;

•

Efforts undertaken to include a wide range of constituents in the planning process,
including but not limited to those in underserved communities, artists, arts
organizations, educators, state agencies, community groups, disability groups, artists
and cultural workers with disabilities, businesses, municipal and tribal governments;

•

How members/representatives of underserved communities were invited into and
involved in the planning process;

•

The efforts your organization made to engage constituents through a variety of
means such as public meetings*, surveys, interviews, virtual engagement, and digital
communications as relevant to various constituent groups*.

•

Efforts to ensure the physical and programmatic accessibility of your in-person and
virtual events, publications, website, and offices.

2. Discuss the recommendations and priorities for your regional plan that resulted from
the public meetings* and other forums.
3. Describe your organization’s response to these recommendations*, and the ways in
which the response was communicated to the public – including but not limited to
references in the regional plan.
4. Describe the processes used to measure and monitor your organization’s progress in
relation to the RAO plan. Consider if relevant, any metrics or other information (e.g.,
program and/or organizational evaluations) used.
Also, describe how those served, including underserved groups, are included in the
evaluation process, how outside experts are involved in your evaluation activities, and
any changes that your organization plans to make to its programs and services based on
this information.
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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
5. Provide here a link to your Strategic Plan.
•

If your discussion of accomplishments relates to an earlier plan, provide here a link
to the earlier plan as well.

•

If you have a work plan or program implementation plan developed to complement
your Strategic Plan, also provide a link here.

•

If you are providing links to more than one plan, identify which Strategic Plan the
implementation plan complements.

C. Plan Implementation and Accomplishments
1. Without reiterating your plan, which reviewers will see in full, briefly describe your
organization’s priorities for the upcoming three-year period (i.e., until the next time
your organization is designated as on-year and up for full application review), and the
leadership your organization is undertaking to achieve those outcomes.
2. Describe your organization’s most significant programs, activities, and
accomplishments in relation to your region’s current or most recent strategic plan.
The programmatic themes listed below are prompts for consideration as you describe
your organization’s most significant accomplishment. The list below is not all-inclusive, it
includes but a few of the areas in which regional arts organizations work. Your narrative
might feature content including, but not limited to, any of the following themes:
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Reaching underserved communities
• Preserving cultures
• Technology
• Military, healthcare, social services, youth, or aging
• Rural, housing, or community development
• Arts Education and lifelong learning
See instructions in section 3 below for instructions on including information relevant to
NEA program areas of: Touring Programs, Folk and Traditional Arts, and Accessibility.
Organize your descriptions by the goals and objectives of your strategic plan.
•

Describe how each program, activity, and special initiative responds to
constituent priorities and/or a changing environment in your region.

•

Describe those programs and special initiatives in which your RAO has exercised
exemplary leadership.

•

Describe any public and private partnerships that enable you to deliver these
programs and initiatives and the role played by your organization.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
You may also discuss more internal organizational work such as introduction of new
funding categories or completion of long term programming, which also may also
demonstrate among the most significant accomplishments of your organization.
Any discussion of reaching and serving underserved communities should identify those
constituencies your organization considers underserved and describe your
organization’s efforts to engage members of those underserved communities. If your
organization has determined that there is an underserved community based upon race
or ethnicity, please indicate the research that supports that determination.
3. In addition to the themes that you address as most relevant to you as a regional arts
organization, your narrative should also include details relevant to the following NEA
program areas:
a. Touring Programs (*available NEA funds vary depending on details provided):
•

Identify the programs, activities, and accomplishments associated with the NEA
Regional Touring Program, including educational activities and community
partnerships. Describe the process by which NEA Regional Touring funds are
awarded including the criteria used and the expertise involved in adjudicating
grants, and the provisions for ensuring that an appropriate proportion of activity
takes place in underserved communities.

b. Folk & Traditional Arts (*available NEA funds vary depending on details provided):
•

Describe your organization’s plans to support stable, outreach-driven programs
that are responsive to your region’s diverse folk & traditional arts heritage.
Consider:
o How you will support folk & traditional arts in your region, including any
grant programs (e.g., apprenticeships, etc.), fieldwork/research, technical
assistance, and cultural sustainability programs for traditional artists. If your
organization does not currently have a folk & traditional arts program,
describe your plans to develop a program in phases over the next three
years.
o Your outreach to folk & traditional arts stakeholders (e.g., artists, community
leaders, folklorists, other organizations, etc.) to facilitate field-building and to
inform your organization’s programming or activities.
o Your staffing plans to support your proposed activities. For RAOs that partner
with a nonprofit organization to carry out this programming, or contract this
work, describe how the partner will undertake this work and note any
agreements that are in place.
o Describe the extent to which you will provide a cost share/match (e.g., 1:1,
10:1, etc.) to the partnership funds received from the NEA to support your
proposed activities.
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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
c. Accessibility (*available NEA funds vary depending on details provided):
The NEA’s Office of Accessibility allocates funding to Regional Arts Organizations to
support professional development for Regional Arts Organization and State Arts
Agency staff on accessibility requirements for cultural organizations and
engagement with the disability community.
If you would like to request accessibility funding, your narrative should also address
the following:
•

Describe your organization’s plans related to accessibility professional
development and activities.

•

Your description should include a requested budget figure for Office of
Accessibility funds, up to $12,000 for FY24.

Activities can include, but are not limited to:
o Support for travel and registration expenses for SAA and RAO Accessibility
Coordinators and other staff to attend NEA-led peer sessions at the
Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability Conference and/or the NASAA
Assembly.
o Delivery of other professional development activities including in-person
training, webinars, and other virtual events on topics related to accessibility
and engagement of the disability community. Activities can include
constituents but should prioritize training of SAA and RAO staff.
o Funding for SAA and RAO staff to attend other accessibility training and
educational activities, such as Regional or National ADA Center conferences
and certification training.
o Support for mini-grants of up to $5,000 to cover the cost of accommodations
for cultural organizations and/ or professional development for artists and
other cultural workers with disabilities.
4. If objectives or goals were not met or were only partially met since your organization’s
last ON-YEAR application, please explain why.
D. Resource Development and Management
1. Discuss the health of your organization's development efforts (grants, contributions,
earned income). What strategies are you employing to secure and enhance future
revenues?
2. Describe the steps that your organization is taking to maximize the cost effectiveness of
its operations.
3. Program budget allocations
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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
On the last page of your narrative, provide a one-line description of each of your
organization’s categories, programs, or initiatives for the first fiscal year of the proposed
agreement, Partnership Agreement (NEA Funds + Cost Share/ Match) dollar allocations
and Non-Partnership Agreement dollar allocations. Include:
•

Budget $ Allocated: Partnership Agreement ONLY
o These are budget projections for the FY24 Partnership agreement, including both
NEA funding + Required Cost Share dollars.

•

Remainder of Budget $ Allocated
o Projections for costs paid for with funds outside of the NEA funding + Required
Cost Share. These activities will not be part of your Partnership agreement, and
so will not be reported on NEA payment requests or final reports.

•

Identify with a "Y" those categories for which NEA Regional Touring Program funds
would be used. (Do not provide dollar amounts for these Regional Touring funds.)

•

Include sub-categories and sub-totals as necessary to demonstrate the connection
between budget allocations and your application narrative.

Use the budget chart format below.
Name / Description of
program / initiative

Budget $ Allocated:
Remainder of Budget $ Allocated
Partnership Agreement ONLY

Program Name

$XX,XXX

$X,XXX

Attachment Button 4: Application Narrative (OFF-YEAR: up to 2 pages)
ON-YEAR APPLICANTS: Please see instructions above for Application Narrative (up to 12
pages)
OFF-YEAR APPLICANTS: Required (up to 2 pages)
To this button, attach an Application Narrative of up to two pages in length. The file name
should include the legal name of your organization or a recognizable acronym followed by
"Narrative." Label each page clearly with your organization's legal name and "Application
Narrative."
1. Describe your organization’s activities for the last year and outline any changes to your
organization, plans, or process.
2. In addition to the activities and changes that you address as most relevant to you as a
regional arts organization, your narrative should also include details relevant to NEA
program areas as detailed below:
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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
a. Accessibility (*available NEA funds vary depending on details provided):
The NEA’s Office of Accessibility allocates funding to Regional Arts Organizations to
support professional development for Regional Arts Organization and State Arts
Agency staff on accessibility requirements for cultural organizations and engagement
with the disability community.
If you would like to request accessibility funding, your narrative should also address
the following:
•
•

Describe your organization’s plans related to accessibility professional
development and activities.
Your description should include a requested budget figure for Office of
Accessibility funds, up to $12,000 for FY24.
Activities can include, but are not limited to:
o Support for travel and registration expenses for SAA and RAO Accessibility
Coordinators and other staff to attend NEA-led peer sessions at the
Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability Conference and/or the NASAA
Assembly.
o Delivery of other professional development activities including in-person
training, webinars, and other virtual events on topics related to accessibility
and engagement of the disability community. Activities can include
constituents but should prioritize training of SAA and RAO staff.
o Funding for SAA and RAO staff to attend other accessibility training and
educational activities, such as Regional or National ADA Center conferences
and certification training.
o Support for mini-grants of up to $5,000 to cover the cost of accommodations
for cultural organizations and/ or professional development for artists and
other cultural workers with disabilities.

b. As relevant, include any significant updates about your organization’s Touring
Programs and/or Folk & Traditional Arts activities (*available NEA funds vary
depending on details provided).

Attachment Button 5: Strategic Plan
ON-YEAR APPLICANTS: Required
OFF-YEAR APPLICANTS: Leave this attachment button blank.
To this button, ON-YEAR applicants should attach a single file that includes the two items
below. The file name should indicate the name of your organization or a recognizable acronym
followed by "Plan." Label each page clearly with your organization's legal name and "Strategic
Plan."
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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instructions
1. The Strategic Plan document (The plan should convey your organization’s mission,
vision, goals, objectives, major strategies, and evaluation plans. If your organization has
just completed a new plan, and your accomplishments relate to an earlier plan, attach
the new plan here. You will have an opportunity to link to the former plan in your
narrative.
2. If you have an organizational work plan or program implementation plan developed to
complement your Strategic Plan, provide a link.

Attachment Button 6: Changes in Conflict of Interest/Appeals
ALL APPLICANTS: If applicable, as explained below.
If applicable, to this button attach your Changes in Conflict of Interest/Appeals document.
Submit this item only if there has been a change in your conflict of interest policies or appeals
process since you last applied for a Partnership Agreement. The file name should include the
name of your organization or a recognizable acronym followed by "Changes." Label each page
clearly with your organization's legal name and "Changes in Conflict of Interest/Appeals."
LEAVE ALL FOLLOWING ATTACHMENT BUTTONS BLANK.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instruction

Step 4: Submit items electronically through Grants.gov
Be certain that you are satisfied with your application before you click submit. No revisions to
are possible through Grants.gov once submitted. After submission, the only way to update
items in your application is to create a new application. The NEA will only review your most
recently submitted application.
We strongly suggest that you submit your application well before the deadline to provide ample
time to resolve any problems you might encounter.
1. Check the size of your electronic application. The total size should not exceed 10 MB.
2. Navigate to the Forms tab on the Manage Workspace page:
•

Once the forms are filled out and the Form Status column says "Passed," they will be
ready for submission.
o Important note: The status “Forms Passed” does NOT indicate that your
application has been submitted, only that your forms have been filled out. You
still need to click the Sign and Submit button after receiving the “Forms Passed”
status. For more information, review the Forms Tab help article.

•

Click Complete and Notify AOR, which will notify the user(s) with the AOR role that
the workspace is ready to submit.

The AOR must click Sign and Submit to submit the application. Detailed instructions
can be found here.
After the AOR submits the application, they will see a confirmation screen explaining
that the submission is being processed. Take a screenshot and retain the Grants.gov
Tracking Number that you receive in the application submission confirmation screen.

•

3. Verify that the application was validated by the Grants.gov system. Take a screenshot
of the validation confirmation for your records.
You can track the progress of your application submission through Grants.gov in one of
three ways:
• Check the progress bar in Workspace. When your application has been successfully
received, the bar will be green, and a check mark will appear in each bubble.
• When logged in to Grants.gov, click the Check Application Status link under the
Applicants drop-down menu and search for the submitted application.
• When not logged in to Grants.gov, go to Track My Application and enter your
Grants.gov Tracking Number. Then click the Track button to see the status listings of
the valid tracking number entered. This function will only work if you have a tracking
number.
For more information about checking Grants.gov application status and a complete list of
statuses, see here.

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Partnership Agreements: Regional Arts Organizations
FY24 Application Instruction

Updates
By December 1, 2023, ON-YEAR applicants have the option of submitting an update (up to one
page) on any significant developments affecting the RAO subsequent to submitting the
application. Updates should focus only on information relevant to application review, such as
changes to the organization operating environment, budget, key leadership/staff, strategic
planning, and notable accomplishments. Email updates to: NEAStateRegional@arts.gov.
REMINDER:
Following the notification of funding offers (anticipated to be April 2024), all applicants must
complete and submit a Partnership Agreement Budget for NEA review. Instructions and
deadlines will be provided with the notification of funding.

Additional Help
For additional help on how to use Grants.gov, see the Grants.gov website at Support. You also
can send email to the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or call them at 1-800518-4726, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.
For specific help on how to complete your application, review the instructions in these
guidelines or contact:
• Lara Holman Garritano at garritanol@arts.gov or 202-682-5586
For questions specific to Folk Arts Partnership, contact:
• Cheryl Schiele at schielec@arts.gov or 202-682-5587 or
• Clifford Murphy at murphyc@arts.gov or 202-682-5726
For questions specific to Arts Education, contact:
• Nancy Daugherty at daughern@arts.gov, or 202-682-5521
For questions specific to Accessibility:
• Katharine Hayward at haywardk@arts.gov, or 202-682-5748
For Access for individuals with disabilities:
Contact the Office of Accessibility at 202-682-5532 / accessibility@arts.gov or the Office of
Civil Rights at civilrights@arts.gov to request an accommodation or an alternate format of the
guidelines.
OMB No. 3135-0012 Expires TBD

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