ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

Individuals, organizations, and project teams of nonprofit and/or for-profit status proposing projects in or for the City of Fitchburg are eligible to apply. This includes creative leaders, emerging artists, cultural assets, institutions, businesses, engaged community members, inclusive funders, and supportive programming teams. Diverse and inclusive project teams are encouraged to apply. 

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS:

Projects should directly involve and/or impact residents, visitors and/or businesses in Fitchburg’s neighborhoods by utilizing the arts, creativity and/or culture. 

There is a wide range of challenges that projects may address with this grant program, including but not limited to:

• Advancing the physical or mental well-being of a community, neighborhood, or group of people

• Highlighting underappreciated cultural or historic communities, issues, or infrastructure

• Bringing exposure and interest to small businesses and cultural institutions through reopening

• Improving public spaces, access to safe pedestrian and bicycle transport and more

• Providing resources to empower a specific group in a specific public place, such as veterans, the elderly, immigrants, etc.

• Connecting people in the community that may not otherwise interact

***PRIORITIZED APPLICATIONS***

1) Applications submitted by Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and women

applicants.

2) Applications involving facilitating programs, events and/or initiatives that highlight and/or

strengthen the creative economy of Fitchburg.

3) Applications that positively impact the Fitchburg community identity and help to shift negative perspectives and narratives of the quality of life of Fitchburg Residents.

4) Applications that include the youths’ voice, youth coordination, youth facilitation and/or as outcomes that positively impact Fitchburg’s Youth Population.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Successful applications will meet the following criteria to be awarded a Dream it, Create it Grant:

1. Narrative (10 points): How well does the project use placemaking or placekeeping to directly involve and/or impact residents, visitors and/or businesses in Fitchburg’s neighborhoods?

2. Community benefit (10 points): How well does the project benefit the community, and are the specific participants or intended audience(s) clearly identified, such as: youth and/or elderly residents; Black, Indigenous, and people of color; LGBTQ+; people with disabilities; immigrants, English as a second language, armed service eterans, etc.?

3. Partnership (5 points): Does the project include at least one partnership, with at least one member of the project team based in the city of Fitchburg?

4. Planning and Timeline (3 points): Is the planning sufficient and the timeline make sense to ensure quality in implementation, including property owner permission and/or permits? (Letter of support from any property owner(s) and/or a list of all required permitting.)

5. Budget (2 points): the budget is clear and reasonable, and the overall project is feasible within the suggested budget.

6. Please describe the underutilized space that will be engaged in your project. If applicable, has permission to use the space been granted? 

GRANT SELECTION COMMITTEE:

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of representatives of the Fitchburg community:

GRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Project applicants will be required to sign a grant agreement in order to receive grant funds

• Project applicants will be required to complete a report with data and images about the project to be detailed within the project as requested by CoFF33 Corp.

• All projects must be ready to begin implementation within four (8) weeks of receiving the grant award notification (this includes preparation meetings), and complete implementation by December 31, 2025.

This program, facilitated by CoFF33 Corp.is funded by MassDevelopment/TDI and the Barr Foundation. This program is one component of a broader “TDI Creative Cities” initiative to boost arts-based economic development.