Funding Review Panels Structure and Guidelines

Purpose of the Funding Review Panels

The Armstrong Park Cultural District Foundation will establish Funding Review Panels to provide an independent, professional, and transparent evaluation of grant applications submitted to the Foundation. The purpose of the Funding Review Panels is to ensure that funding decisions align with the Foundation’s mission to strengthen the Armstrong Park Cultural District through high-quality, impactful arts and cultural programming.

Funding Review Panels will evaluate applications based on artistic merit, community engagement, economic impact, and sustainability. The panels will make funding recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which will have final approval authority.

Structure and Composition

1. Number and Composition of Panels

  • The Foundation may establish multiple Funding Review Panels based on the type or scale of applications under review.

  • Each panel will consist of 5 to 7 members.

  • Members will represent a diverse cross-section of arts and cultural expertise, including:

    • Visual arts

    • Performing arts (theater, music, dance)

    • Literary arts

    • Film and media

    • Arts education

    • Community-based and participatory arts

    • Economic development and placemaking

2. Membership Criteria

To serve on a Funding Review Panel, individuals must:

  • Have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the arts, cultural programming, or creative industries.

  • Demonstrate a track record of leadership in the arts, either as a practicing artist, arts administrator, curator, educator, or cultural policy leader.

  • Have knowledge of the Armstrong Park Cultural District’s mission and strategic goals.

  • Be free from conflicts of interest with any current grant applicants.

  • Be able to commit to attending review meetings during the grant review cycle.

3. Term of Service

  • Funding Review Panel members will not have term limits.

  • Members serve at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

  • Members may remain on the panel for as long as they remain engaged and effective.

4. Meeting Schedule

  • Funding Review Panels will only meet during the grant-making review cycle.

  • Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Directors if necessary for urgent issues or special funding opportunities.

5. Leadership

  • Each Funding Review Panel will select a Chair from among its members to:

    • Lead meetings and facilitate the evaluation process.

    • Serve as the primary liaison to the Foundation’s Executive Director and Board of Directors.

    • Present final recommendations to the Board of Directors.

  • A Vice Chair will be selected to assist the Chair and serve in their absence.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Application Review and Scoring

  • Evaluate all applications based on the Foundation’s established funding criteria:

    • Artistic and cultural merit

    • Community engagement and public impact

    • Financial and operational feasibility

    • Economic impact and sustainability

  • Use a consistent and transparent scoring rubric to assess applications.

  • Ensure all projects align with the Foundation’s mission and the strategic goals of the Armstrong Park Cultural District.

2. Panel Deliberations

  • Meet to discuss application scoring and identify high-priority projects.

  • Resolve discrepancies in scoring through consensus-based discussion.

  • Prioritize projects that demonstrate strong alignment with the Foundation’s funding priorities.

3. Recommendations to the Board of Directors

  • Present final recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, including:

    • Recommended projects for funding

    • Recommended funding amounts

    • Any special terms or conditions for awarded grants

  • Provide detailed rationale for funding recommendations.

  • Make recommendations for improving the grantmaking process as needed.

4. Conflict of Interest Management

  • Members must disclose any personal or professional relationship with an applicant prior to the review process.

  • Members with a conflict of interest must recuse themselves from evaluating or voting on that specific application.

Governance and Oversight

1. Oversight by Board of Directors

  • The Foundation’s Board of Directors has final approval authority for all funding decisions.

  • The Board of Directors may request additional information or clarification from the Funding Review Panels before issuing final funding decisions.

  • The Board of Directors will review the performance and effectiveness of the Funding Review Panels annually.

2. Confidentiality

  • All application materials and evaluation deliberations will be kept confidential.

  • Funding Review Panel members are required to sign a confidentiality agreement upon appointment.

3. Professional Conduct

  • All members of the Funding Review Panels are expected to conduct themselves professionally and impartially.

  • Members are prohibited from lobbying or soliciting benefits from grant applicants.

Selection Process for Funding Review Panel Members

1. Nomination and Selection

  • The Foundation’s Executive Director and Board of Directors will issue a public call for nominations for the Funding Review Panels.

  • Nominees may be self-nominated or nominated by others.

  • The Foundation’s Board of Directors will interview shortlisted candidates and select final members.

2. Commitment and Orientation

  • Selected members will receive an orientation covering:

    • The Foundation’s mission and strategic goals

    • The funding process and evaluation criteria

    • Professional and ethical guidelines for the review process

  • Members must sign a conflict of interest disclosure and confidentiality agreement before beginning service.

Compensation and Recognition

  • Members of the Funding Review Panels will serve on a volunteer basis.

  • The Foundation will provide the following recognition for service:

    • Listing on the Foundation’s website and annual report

    • Recognition at Foundation-hosted events and programs

    • Access to select Foundation-hosted events and networking opportunities

Benefits of This Structure

  • Independent Evaluation: Ensures objective, merit-based funding decisions.

  • Professional Expertise: Draws on the experience and knowledge of arts and cultural leaders.

  • Transparency: Provides clear criteria and consistent evaluation processes.

  • Strategic Alignment: Ensures that funded projects align with the Foundation’s mission and the goals of the Armstrong Park Cultural District.

  • Accountability: Establishes clear oversight and reporting requirements.