Application Form

Application Form

Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for the Foundation's Excellence in the Arts program. Please review our guidelines and procedures before submitting your application.

First-time applicants should contact the Foundation before submitting an application. You may be asked to provide a Letter of Inquiry before being invited to submit a full application.

2023 applications are due by 11:59pm on February 1st, May 1st, August 1st and November 1st.

Because the Foundation limits funding to 501(c)3 arts organizations located in specific communities in Hartford County, we ask that all applicants complete the following eligibility quiz before continuing.
Eligibility Quiz
Is your organization a 501(c)3 nonprofit?*
- Yes
- No
Unfortunately - only organizations that are registered with the IRS as 501(c)3 nonprofits are eligible to apply for funding.

Without your 501(c)3 status, you are not eligible to apply for funding.

Contact the Foundation if you have questions about your IRS status.
Great! At the end of this application we will ask you to upload a PDF copy of your 501(c)3 determination letter.
According to your 501(c)3 letter, in what town is your official office located?*
Please select one.
- Bloomfield
- East Hartford
- Farmington
- Hartford
- Manchester
- New Britain
- Newington
- South Windsor
- West Hartford
- Wethersfield
- Windsor
- Town not on this list
Great! Your organization is located inside our priority geographic area.
Please contact the Executive Director to discuss your eligibility.
Where will your project be performed or exhibited?*
Please select one. If performing in multiple locations, provide details in your narrative.
- Bloomfield
- East Hartford
- Farmington
- Hartford
- New Britain
- Newington
- South Windsor
- West Hartford
- Wethersfield
- Windsor
- Nearby, but not on this list
Great! Your project will take place inside our geographic area.
Your project will take place outside our priority geographic area.

While you may still be eligible to submit an application, be aware that support for projects not within our priority funding area is extremely limited.

You may wish to contact the Executive Director to discuss.
Unfortunately - the Foundation will not consider support for projects that take place outside our area of geographic focus.

You are not eligible to apply for this project.

Review our guidelines if you have questions about our geographic limitations. Contact the Foundation if you have additional questions.
Will this activity occur after August 1, 2023?*
The Foundation has a 3-month "embargo" period from the May 1st application deadline.
- Yes
- No
Great! Click continue to complete and submit your application.
If your opening date does not meet this restriction, contact the Executive Director.
Grantee Report Confirmation
Are you a recent grantee?*
Have you received a grant in the past 5 years?
- Yes
- No
Enter your Report Code*
Your Report Code was in the email you received when you submitted your Grantee Report.
If you do not have the Report Code email the Foundation. If you have not submitted your Grantee Report, you must submit it now before reapplying. Once you submit your report, use the Report Code from the confirmation email to continue with this application.
Application Form

Please answer the following questions about your organization and the project for which you are seeking support.

We encourage you to submit this application in one sitting, though you may choose to save your work and return later to complete your submission. Be certain to review our application instructions, before you begin.

Before submitting, make certain you have included all required information. Once you submit this form you will not be able to return to the application.

All fields are required * unless otherwise noted.

Contact and Background Information
Organization Name*
Organization's IRS Tax ID #*
Principal Contact Name*
First Last
Title*
Email*
Phone*
Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Website
(If available)
Amount requested this application*
What amount are you requesting today?
What is the organization’s mission/vision statement?*
Provide a brief history of your organization and its activities.*
Describe the demographics of your audience/people served by your activities.*
Include percentages of populations served.
Describe your organization's governance.*
Include information about frequency of board meetings and record of attendance. Be sure to indicate any substantial change to your leadership since the last time you applied.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Foundation values diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organizations we fund. The composition of an applicant's board will be a major consideration as the foundation evaluates grant applications. Organizations funded by the Foundation, must be able to demonstrate their commitment to DEI.

In the field below it is essential that you describe the diversity of your board; YOU MUST include percentages with respect to gender race and ethnicity.
Describe the diversity of your board.*
What percentage of your board makes personal financial contributions to your organization?*
If not 100%, explain why not.
Detail any changes since your last application.*
Be sure to note significant changes to board, leadership, organizational structure, strategic direction, financial condition or mission.
Project Information
Project Name*
Is this project related to the Visual Arts?*
- Yes
- No
Will the artists associated with this project be financially compensated?*
- Yes
- No
If artists will not be financially compensated for their work on this project, you must contact the Roberts Foundation's Executive Director before you submit this application.
Project Description*
Total estimated project budget*
Project start/opening*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Project end/closing*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Project venue*
The name of the space where this project will take place.
Project town
The town or towns where this project will take place.
Admission fees, attendance, and activity details*
What fees will be charged? Estimate total attendance including PAID and COMP tickets. Indicate number of performances/days open to the public.
How do you intend to promote/market this project?
How is your organization going to use Roberts funding?*
How will Roberts support be recognized?*
Defining Excellence and Evaluation Criteria
What is your organization’s definition of artistic excellence?*
How does this project align with that definition, and how does it advance your mission?*
How will your audience and the community benefit from this project?*
How will this project be evaluated?*
Describe what measures of success you will use when assessing this project's effectiveness.
Required Attachments

Each requested item should be attached as a separate document. If a document includes materials for more than one item, you should separate the materials and attach each item separately.

Attach documents as indicated below. Only documents in PDF format can be uploaded.
Cover letter*
A letter summarizing the request, stating the amount requested, and when it will be needed.
The letter must be signed by your Executive Director or Board President and printed on your letterhead with your official office address.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Board list*
A list of officers and Board members with titles and addresses.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
IRS 501(c)3 determination letter*
The letter your organization received from the IRS when you applied for nonprofit status.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Financial statement*
Most recent annual financial statement (audited, if available) or your most recent 990.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Last year operational budget*
Showing budget and final figures for the last completed fiscal year.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Current year operational budget*
Showing operational budget and year-to-date figures for the current fiscal year.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Balance sheet*
A current balance sheet for the organization (within three months).
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Project budget*
Showing all sources of income and expense for this project, as well as amounts and status of grants and other contributions being sought.
Drop files here or

Max. file size: 256 MB.
Additional Attachments

If available, attach documents as indicated below. Only documents in PDF format can be uploaded.
Does your organization produce an annual report?*
An annual report is a formal report to stakeholders, documenting your organization's activities and finances in the previous financial year.
If you answer yes - upload a PDF copy of your annual report.
- Yes
- No
Annual report*
Attach your annual report now.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Has your organization adopted a strategic plan?*
A strategic plan is a formal summary of your long-term goals and the actions you will use to achieve them.
If you answer yes - upload a PDF copy of your strategic plan.
- Yes
- No
Strategic plan*
Attach your strategic plan now.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Does your organization have a formal policy or organizational commitment to ensure that visual artists are financially compensated?*
If you answer yes - upload a PDF copy of your policy.
- Yes
- No
Visual Artist Compensation Policy*
Attach your policy now.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.
Other materials?
This is optional! You may attach other materials - artist biographies, lists of exhibitions, etc. Limit of 3 items - each no more than 5MB in size.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB, Max. files: 3.
Anything Else?

Please Note

The Foundation carefully examines your organization's financial health and management in considering its decision. Include any comments or clarifications about your financial status in the space below. You may also use this space to add any comments or information you would like to share to help us evaluate your application.
This is optional!
This is optional!
Final Check List

Before you submit this application, please complete this final check list.
Have you contacted the Executive Director by email or phone to discuss this proposal?*
- Yes - we have discussed the project with the Executive Director.
- No - we have NOT discussed the project with the Executive Director.
You may complete the submission of your application, however you are strongly encouraged to contact the Executive Director.
Is your cover letter signed by your senior executive? on your letterhead? with your official office address?*
- Yes - the requested cover letter is attached to this application.
CAPTCHA

Save and Continue Later

Use the Save and Continue Function If you cannot complete the application in one session, you may save the form and return at a later date to finish it.

To save the form, click “Save and Continue Later.” This will generate a link that you can copy and save, or if you add your email address (recommended), the link will be emailed to you. This link will work for 30 days and will save your progress.

You may use the Save and Continue Later function only once. You must complete the application on your return visit.

Application Form

Application Form

Eligibility Quiz

Grantee Report Confirmation

Application Form

Contact and Background Information

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Project Information

Defining Excellence and Evaluation Criteria

Required Attachments

Additional Attachments

Anything Else?

Please Note

Final Check List