'Call for Applications, Freedom to Create Grants, Funding projects
that use the arts to create transformational change in the developing
world'
Through our grant making Freedom to Create offers funding to projects
that use the arts to create transformational change in the developing
world.
A wide range of art forms can be used and harnessed to educate, build,
heal and inspire people – from educating communities on a particular
issue, to inspiring people to change the status quo, to building
capacity.
In supporting such projects we believe we can affect our future and
together work towards a more prosperous world.
Application Requirements
Our grants are open to projects which use the arts to create
transformational change in developing countries.
Basic Requirements
The following requirements must be met to be considered for a Freedom
to Create grant:
* Projects must be run by a registered non-profit organisation
* Projects must fall into one of our six sectors: Education,
Health, Social Harmony, Urban Regeneration, Freedom to Create or
Designs for Life
* Projects must use an art form to educate, build, heal or inspire people
* Projects must indicate how their results will be measured both
quantitatively and qualitatively
* The project itself must be located in a developing country, and
is ideally a country most in need. To further assess whether your
country may be eligible for funding, please see the list of Emerging
and Developing Countries in the
International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook Report or the
United Nation's
Human
Development Index.
Projects We Prefer
Our grant application process is highly competitive. As a guide,
projects that demonstrate one or more of the following will be of
particular interest to us:
* Based in the worlds harshest places and least developed countries
* A new approach to issues and challenges
* Sustainable change
* Ambitious ideas
* Strong ways of measuring of the project's impact on society
Excluded Projects
Our grants are unable to support:
* Individual artists
* Educational scholarships
* Organisations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed,
gender, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation in
policy or in practice
* Programmes that promote sectarian religious activities
* Programmes that promote impermissible lobbying
* Programmes which contravene the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
* Projects located in the developed world, such as Australia,
Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore,
South Korea, Taiwan, the United States of
America and the United Kingdom. However, please note that organisations
based in these countries are welcome to apply for funding if their
programmes are located in the developing world.
* Costs not directly associated with the project's implementation.
While we appreciate that organisational overheads are necessary for
coordination,
these will not be considered.
What organisations does Freedom to Create fund?
Freedom to Create only funds projects run by registered not-for-profit
organisations. We do not award grants to individuals or for-profit
organisations.
2. What art forms does Freedom to Create fund?
Art is a form of human expression and manifestation of culture, and we
recognise there are many different forms of art across the globe.
Freedom to Create only provides grants for projects that use art to
improve people's lives in a positive way. We welcome projects that use
all art forms, where the art is used to Educate, Build, Heal or Inspire
The following are examples of art forms we have funded:
Arts & Craft
Art Therapy
Ballet
Creative Writing
Dance
Design
Embroidery
Felting
Film (inc. documentaries)
Folk Dancing
Graffiti
Illustration
Mural
Music
Opera
Painting
Performance Arts
Photography
Poetry
Pottery
Puppetry
Radio Drama
Singing
Sculpture
Social Circus
Story Telling
Theatre
Traditional Art
Visual Arts
3. What does Freedom to Create not fund?
Freedom to Create will not support organisations that discriminate on
the basis of race, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability or
sexual orientation in policy or in practice.
In addition, we will not fund programmes that promote sectarian
religious activities or impermissible lobbying. Individual artists will
not receive funding. Programmes which contravene the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights are not eligible.
4. Why doesn't Freedom to Create fund individuals?
Freedom to Create was founded on "Performance Philanthropy" principles.
We see the arts as a valuable tool to address the root causes of
poverty, illness and conflict in developing countries. Freedom to Create
strives to make the greatest impact possible with its capital in terms
of breadth and depth of life improvement. Freedom to Create is not a
"patron" of the arts. Projects based around the work of one individual
rarely serve the needs of a group at the scale or depth which we find
acceptable.
5. Which geographic areas does Freedom to Create
prioritise?
Freedom to Create works across all countries in the developing world. We
do not award grants to projects located in the developed world, such as
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand,
Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States of America and the
United Kingdom. However, please note that organisations based in these
countries are welcome to apply for funding if their programmes are
located in the developing world. To further assess whether your country
will be eligible for funding, please see the list of Emerging and
Developing Countries in the International Monetary Fund's World Economic
Outlook Report.
6. Does Freedom to Create have geographic
restrictions?
As long as the project is located in the developing world, Freedom to
Create will consider the grant application. We do not shy away from
projects in the "hardest places" such as Iraq, Haiti or Central African
Republic.
7. Does Freedom to Create fund projects from
organisations not based in the developing world?
Yes. Your organisation may be based anywhere in the world but the
project has to be located in one or more of our priority regions
8. What is the average (maximum/minimum) grant
amount that Freedom to Create funds?
Freedom to Create assesses each application on a case by case basis.
However, our average grant size is about US$ 40,000. Only in exceptional
circumstances will we fund grants in excess of US$ 100,000. We have
also in many circumstances co-funded projects with other donors when the
project costs were significantly above our typical grant amount.
9. What legal status must my organisation have to be
eligible for a grant?
Your or
ganisation must be a registered charity. If you require a
business licence to operate (for instance, as is required in China),
then please inquire with an Freedom to Create Researcher before
continuing with the application process.
10. What are Freedom to Create's deadlines for
request submission?
Freedom to Create does not have specific deadlines for proposals.
Researchers review applications on an ongoing basis. However, we advise
you submit your proposal at least 14 weeks before the start of the
project.
11. What project activities will Freedom to Create
not fund?
Freedom to Create funds only budget items that are directly associated
with the project's implementation. While we appreciate that
organisational overheads are necessary for coordination, these will not
be considered. For instance, we will not provide funds for fund-raising
or organisational marketing campaigns. We will also not fund
infrastructure costs such as land acquisition and construction of
premises. In addition, we will not fund educational scholarships.
12. How often does the Freedom to Create Board
meet?
The Freedom to Create Board meets each month.
13. How can organisations check on the status of
their application?
Please contact an Freedom to Create Researcher who will update you on
the status of your application.
14. May I submit attachments with my request?
We do accept attachments to each application but please only submit
attachments which are relevant and necessary for Freedom to Create to
evaluate your proposal.
15. Does Freedom to Create provide funding for
projects which have already started?
It is our funding policy to provide no retroactive grants. However, if
the project is a multi-year project which has already begun, we will
consider applications for funding the new year of the project.
16. How long does it take to review a proposal?
It generally takes us between 4-12 weeks to evaluate a project and we
advise you to submit your application at least 14 weeks before the start
of your project.
17. Is it possible to set up an appointment to
discuss project ideas or check if my project falls under Freedom to
Create's scope?
We encourage you to read through our website which details our
guidelines. You should also complete our self-assessment quiz as this
will help you determine if your organisation is eligible for funding. If
you are still unsure, please email info(at)freedomtocreate.com for
additional advice.
18. If I submit my request to you on the Internet,
will it be reviewed quicker than if I send it through the mail?
All applications are treated equally. There is no priority given to
requests submitted electronically.
19. Is there a specific format to use for hard copy
request submissions?
For hard copy submission, please use the form provided to you by the
Freedom to Create Researcher.
20. Does Freedom to Create accept multiple grant
applications from a single organisation?
Yes. However, please ensure that each application complies with our
Grant Guidelines.
21. Is it possible that my organisation may be
awarded less money than we applied for?
Yes. The Freedom to Create Board does at times only partially fund
projects. This is usually in circumstances where the Board believes the
project can be completed on a smaller budget or that the items being
sought were not related to the project. If you are unable to complete
the project on the grant amount given, we encourage you to notify the
Freedom to Create Researcher and seek further funding from other
grant-making bodies. The Freedom to Create Board will not consider
appeals for more funds.
22. Can an organisation apply for a multiple-year
grant?
Freedom to Create does consider projects which run for multiple years.
However, please note the Freedom to Create Board will only commit to the
first year of funding. Subsequent funding will depend on the
organisation's performance, reporting procedures and use of the grant as
well as the overall success of the project. If Freedom to Create
considers your organisation for re-funding, we will invite you to submit
an application. However, please note that this is not a guarantee that
the application will be successful. We strongly urge organisations to
apply for subsequent refunding from other sources.
23. If my request is declined, will you provide
feedback?
We will provide general feedback as to why the Freedom to Create Board
rejected the application.
24. If I have submitted a request which has been
declined, can I resubmit?
Freedom to Create does not consider the resubmission of a rejected
proposal until at least 12 months have lapsed.
25. Is there an appeal process in the event the
application is rejected?
No. The Freedom to Create Board decision is final.
