GRANT PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

Create more opportunities for Lawtonians and Lawton Public School students to meaningfully engage with the arts and humanities.

Build capacity among Lawton organizations and schools to offer arts and humanities programs.

 Individual and Organization Arts and Humanities Project Grants

Arts projects such as exhibits, performances, public art, works of literature, significantly contribute to culture and quality of life in Lawton and improve economic development. Individual and Organization Arts and Humanities Project Grants assist eligible organizations and entities by providing funding for arts and humanities projects that will positively impact the Lawton community.

Build capacity for Lawton based individual or organizational artists, creators, authors, and educators to conduct, create, or host engaging arts and humanities projects in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Inspire the creation of new works of art and scholarly works that positively impact the Lawton Community.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis each fiscal year. Applications should be submitted at least thirty days prior to the start of the project, but may be submitted at any time during the granting period as long as the project. GRANT AMOUNT: Up to $2,500 per organization or individual. Award Match Requirement: 1:1 (100%). Half of the match (50%) may be in-kind support. Cannot be combined with other funding from any other Lawton Arts and Humanities Grant.

General Grant Terms and Conditions

These General Grant Terms and Conditions (General Grant Terms) apply to grants that the McMahon Auditorium Authority (Trust) issues to eligible nonprofit organizations, schools, or government entities during the awarded grant period. This grant award implements Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR). These terms are based on the applicable grant program guidelines detailed in the Grantee’s award notification package, the Trust’s enabling legislation and administrative code, along with other State and Federal statutes, regulations, and all applicable laws that apply to grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Award recipients (Grantee or Grantee Organization) must be familiar with and comply with these requirements.

1. Definitions

The terms "projects" and “Programs” include activities carried out as part of the grant program and grant award and include allowable expenses as detailed in the grant program guidelines and/or expenses submitted in the Grantee’s approved application (unless otherwise stated by the Trust in the grant award notification). The Grantee is responsible for ensuring that only allowable activities and costs, aligned with the approved grant and match requirement, are reflected in the submitted final report and final budget for this award. The Grantee organization must be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the State of Oklahoma. Nonprofit organizations who have had their IRS status revoked are not eligible for Trust grant support. It is the Grantee’s responsibility to ensure that their status is current at the time of the application and throughout the life of the grant award. Grantee Organizations cannot be listed under the SAM Exclusions federal debarred or suspended list. Trust grant funds and match requirement cannot be used to support individuals or organizations listed under the SAM Exclusions federal debarred or suspended list.

2. Responsibilities

In accepting a Trust award, the Grantee organization assumes legal, financial, administrative, and programmatic responsibility for administering the award in accordance with any provisions included in the award; other statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, and all applicable laws governing State and Federal financial assistance awards; and these General Grant Terms, all of which are hereby incorporated into the award by reference. While the Trust may provide the Grantee with reminders regarding award requirements, the absence of receiving such notice does not relieve the Grantee organization of their responsibilities.

Submission of a signed grant contract by the Grantee’s Authorizing Official constitutes the Grantee’s agreement to comply with all the terms and conditions of the award. Contracts must be signed by the due date indicated in the award notification.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in suspension or termination of the grant award and the Trust’s recovery of city and trust funds. In addition, the City of Lawton and the Trust have the right to seek judicial enforcement of these obligations.

3. Acknowledgment of Support

The Trust and the City of Lawton logos must be prominently displayed in all materials and announcements related to the project activities approved in the application for the duration of the project dates. Failure to appropriately acknowledge the Trust and The City of Lawton may result in the termination of the grant award.

4. Required Registrations

A Grant Contact is the only individual who can apply for grants and submit reports on behalf of an organization. The Grant Contact also serves as the primary contact for the organization and will receive important notices and communications from the Trust’s Grants Office including award and payment notices. The Grant Contact cannot be the same individual as the Authorizing Official.

5. Conflicts of Interest and Disclosures

(A) The Grantee must have written conflict of interest policies that ensure that all employees, board members, officers, or agents engaged in the administration of this grant award, avoid conflicts as described in 2 CFR § 200.

(B) The Grantee must also notify the Trust of any violations of State and Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations that potentially affect this award, as noted in 2 CFR § 200.

6. Statutory and Policy Requirements

The Grantee is responsible for complying with all requirements of City, State, and Federal grant awards, including those based on:

(A) Statutory Policy Requirements. The Grantee is required to ensure that State and Federal funding is expended and programs are implemented in full accordance with Oklahoma State Statutes, Oklahoma Administrative Code, the U.S. Constitution, Federal Law, and public policy requirements. The Grantee is required to adhere to all applicable national policy requirements as outlined in Appendix A, including, but not limited to, those protecting public welfare, the environment, and prohibiting discrimination.

(B) City of Lawton and McMahon Auditorium Authority. The Grantee is required to execute the project, (e.g., projects, programs, events, productions, workshops, business, administration, operations, etc. related to the approved project) in accordance with the Trust’s grant guidelines, general grant terms, administrative code, and enabling legislation.

7. Financial Management and Internal Controls

The Grantee’s financial management systems must meet City, State, and Federal standards, including:

·         Accurate identification of City, State, and Federal award data, financial results, and the ability to provide supporting documents (e.g., invoices, receipts, financial statements, etc.) upon request.

·         Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs and for managing payments. The Grantee must establish and maintain effective internal controls over the award and provide reasonable assurance that the Grantee is managing the award in compliance with State and Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award.

8. Cash Match Requirements

If matching funds are required as part of the grant award, as outlined in the grant program guidelines and award notification package, grantees may use up to the stated percentage in in-kind contributions to meet the minimum matching requirement. In-kind support is defined as the fair market value for donated, non-monetary goods or services. This required match refers to the portion of project costs not paid by Trust funds. Grantees may use a variety of sources to meet the required match, including but not limited to donations, non-State grants and other revenue. Other City of Lawton or Trust grant awards are not eligible to meet the matching requirements. Costs supported by both the Trust grant funds and match requirement approved in the project budget must conform to all the requirements of the grant award.

9. Cost Principles

(A) All costs included in the approved project budget or reported on final reports for the award, whether supported with State and Federal or required matching funds or any voluntary committed cost share, must be:

·         Necessary and reasonable for the performance of the grant award.

·         Allocable and in conformance with these cost principles and as set forth in the award.

·         Consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to both State and Federally financed and other activities of the non-State or Federal entity.

·         Accorded consistent treatment as either a direct or indirect cost.

·         Determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

·         Not included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other City or Trust Funded program.

·         Adequately documented for reporting and audit purposes. Incurred during the approved grant period during which funds are budgeted.

(B) General Grant Allowable and Unallowable Costs

The allowability of costs is based on Trust enabling legislation, administrative code, grant program guidelines, and 2 CFR § 200. In addition to this general list, see the corresponding grant program guidelines for a full list of specific allowable and unallowable expenses.

(1) Unallowable expenses

·         Capital expenditures including construction, renovation, building improvements or additions

·         Prizes or cash awards such as awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement are unallowable. Emergency relief funds for housing, food, etc. to an individual artist are also unallowable.

·         Subgranting or sub awarding activity is unallowable with this grant award and/or any required matching funds

·         Costs or services that are not rendered

·         Debt reduction

·         Funding cash reserve or endowment accounts

·         Events that are not open to the public

(2) Allowable expenses

See the grant program guidelines for a list of specific allowable expenses.

10. Project Changes

The Grantee is required to carry out a project consistent with the application or proposal approved for funding by the Trust. Project changes, modifications, or amendment requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed. Until the Grantee receives written approval from the Grants Office, the Grantee may only incur costs consistent with the contract and terms of the award in effect at the time of the award notification. Detailed information about how to request a project change can be found in the Grantee’s award notification package. Failure to comply may result in the termination of an approved grant award. The Trust has the right to request additional information, such as updates on specific project activities, including a revised budget or an itemized list of actual expenditures, as needed. If the Trust determines that the project changes will not accomplish the purposes for which the award was made, the Trust may cancel the grant award in its entirety.

(A) The following types of changes require written approval from the Grants Office:

(1) Project date changes

Funds must be used during the awarded grant period and may not be rolled over for use in past or future grant period/fiscal year programs, unless otherwise stated in the grant program guidelines and award notification package.

(2) Project scope modifications

These include changes to the approved project activities, programming selection, focus of content, significant changes in primary audience, changes in key project artists, changes in venue or locations, and changes in the breadth or impact of projects.

(3) Budget changes

Budget changes due to a significant change in the scope of the awarded project. Contact the Grants Office for guidance.

(4) Final report deadline extension

(B) Declining an Award.

The Grantee may decide to decline the award after it has been made. The Grants Office must be notified in writing if an award will be declined. Contact the Grants Office for guidance.

11. Performance and Reporting

(A) Site Visits

The Trust may conduct a visit to the approved project’s events and request to meet with the Grantee’s organizational staff to evaluate programming conducted and/or organizational practices and controls as part of the grant award. A site visit may include interacting with staff, observing facilities, assessing documentation, and evaluating programs. Grantees must, upon request, provide the Trust with a minimum of two tickets to events, exhibitions and/or performances.

(B) Specific Reporting Requirements

The Trust may require the Grantee to submit certain information before funds can be released (e.g., status reports, final reports, etc.) or at other times during the project. These reporting requirements will be noted in the award notification when applicable.

Final Reports

To close out the award the Grantee must submit the following no later than the final report deadline specified in the award notification package:

·         Final report that provides the Trust with information on the performance of the award activities, budget, and associated data. This online report can be accessed by the Grant Contact through the Trust’s online grant system.

·         Support material as outlined through the final report.

(A) Failure to submit required reports

The Grantee is required to submit the final report by the deadline specified in the award notification package, or if granted in writing by the Grants Office, the extended due date. While the Trust may provide the Grantee with reminders regarding award requirements and deadlines, the absence of receiving such notice does not relieve the Grantee of their responsibilities. Action for late and/or unreceived final reports may include:

·         A partial award penalty/deduction from the final grant award.

·         The Trust’s withdrawal of funding support on the award.

·         The Grantee’s eligibility to receive and/or apply for new grant awards.

 12. Open Meetings and Records, Retention, and Audit Access

As a recipient of public funds, the Grantee is required to follow the State of Oklahoma’s Open Meeting Act (25 O.S. Sections 301-314) as well as the Open Records Act (51 O.S. Section 24) when public dollars are involved.

Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other related entity records pertinent to the Trust grant award must be retained for a period of seven (7) years from the date of submission of the final report. The Trust, Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector, and the Office of the Inspector General shall reserve the right to request an audit of the Grantee's records for the approved project including program and financial records.

13. Noncompliance

(A) Penalties

If the Grantee fails to comply with State and Federal statutes, regulations, or the terms and conditions of the award, the Trust may impose additional conditions and/or penalties. If the Trust determines that noncompliance cannot be resolved by imposing additional conditions, the

Trust may take one or more of the following actions:

·         Temporarily withhold grant payments pending correction of the deficiency, or more severe enforcement action.

·         Disallow the use of Trust funds or match for the unallowable costs or activities.

·         Wholly or partly suspend or terminate the Trust award.

·         Withhold future Trust awards.

(B) Cancellation

A cancellation occurs during the grant period/project dates. The award may be terminated in whole or in part as follows:

·         By the Trust, if the Grantee fails to comply with the terms of the grant award;

·         By the Trust, if the award no longer meets the program goals or addresses Trust priorities;

·         By the Trust, in the event that Trust funds available for grant awards are reduced or canceled; or

·         By the Grantee, upon notifying the Grants Office in writing with reasons for cancellation and the effective date.

14. Closeout, Modifications, and Continuing Responsibilities

After the project end date/grant period, the next stage of an award’s life is termed closeout. During the closeout process, the Trust reviews final reports and other items to determine if all applicable administrative actions and all required work of the award have been completed in an acceptable manner and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award. Final reports must be submitted no later than the final report deadline specified in the award notification package. Upon receipt and approval of the final report, the Trust will close out the award. Any unused grant funds shown on the final budget will be subtracted from the original award amount.

(A) After closeout, reduced/unused funds will no longer be available.

(B) Closeout will also occur even if final reports are not received. If a final report is not submitted, the Trust holds the right to reduce or cancel the grant funds.

(C) The closeout of an award does not affect any of the following:

·         The Trust’s right to recover funds on the basis of a later audit or other review within the record retention period.

·         The Trust’s ability to make financial adjustments to a previously closed award.

·         Audit requirements.

·         Property management and disposition requirements.

·         Records retention as outlined in the grant terms.

APPENDIX A

Policy and Other Legal Requirements, Statutes, and Regulations that Govern Your Award

The Grantee must ensure that the funded project is implemented in full accordance with the U.S. Constitution, State and Federal Law, and public policy requirements: including, but not limited to, those protecting free speech, religious liberty, public welfare, the environment, and prohibiting discrimination.

Nondiscrimination Policies

As a condition of receipt of financial assistance, the Grantee acknowledges and agrees to execute the project, and require any contractors, successors, transferees, and assignees to comply with applicable provisions of laws and policies prohibiting discrimination, including but not limited to:

 1.a Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, provides that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Title VI also extends protection to persons with limited English proficiency.

1.b As clarified by Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, national origin discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of limited English proficiency (LEP). To ensure compliance with Title VI, you must take reasonable steps to ensure that LEP persons have meaningful access to your programs. Meaningful access may entail providing language assistance services, including oral and written translation, where necessary. You are encouraged to consider the need for language services for LEP persons in conducting your programs and activities. For assistance and information go to www.arts.gov/foia/reading-room/nea-limited-english-proficiencypolicy-guidance.

1.c Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, provides that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

1.d The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, provides that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of age, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

1.e The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment (Title I); State and local government services (Title II); and places of public accommodation and commercial facilities (Title III).