BFA Community Grants Program Overview
Bristol Friends of the Arts (BFA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Bristol area residents by providing opportunities for all community members to participate in and appreciate the arts and cultural heritage of our region. 

To further its mission, BFA maintains a Community Grants Program to support fine and performing arts education, fine and performing arts events for the community, and projects or activities designed to promote understanding of and appreciation for our local cultural heritage. 

BFA allocates over fifty percent of annual proceeds from fundraising to the Community Grants Program.  Grant proposals can be submitted by individuals, schools or organizations, and are reviewed on a regular basis in April and October of each year.  Grant awards typically range from $250 to $750. 

BFA Funding Priorities
To further its mission, the BFA seeks Community Grants proposals that expand the following in the five-town area:
- visual arts education for children, youth, seniors or  underserved populations
- visual arts exhibits for the community
- music, dance and theater education for children, youth, seniors or underserved populations
- music, dance and theater performances for the community
- special events for the community that commemorate or  celebrate historical events or our local cultural heritage
- mentorships in the fine and performing arts
           
Priority will be given to proposals that serve the maximum number of community members in the five-town area.  In any given year, BFA will seek to fund a group of proposals that serves diverse populations and purposes.  A list of projects funded to date is included below.   


To Submit a Proposal to the BFA Community Grants Program
Proposals can be submitted by individuals, groups, organizations or schools.  Proposals should be no longer than 2-4 pages in length and must include:
name, address, phone number, email address and affiliation (school, group, organization or individual) of project leader;
title and brief description of project being proposed;
intended outcomes of the project (must be linked to the BFA mission);
target population and estimated number of people to be served by the project;
indication of whether the proposed project is a new effort or an expansion of or improvement over previous efforts;
specific action steps and a timeline related to the project;
an overall project budget and a specific funding request to BFA; include in the budget the amount and source(s) of any other funding for the project (both funding already secured and funding being sought);
a brief statement about how you will determine whether or not the project has been successful.


For consideration in April, submit proposals by April 15.
For consideration in October, submit proposals by October 15.

Mail three copies of your proposal to:
Bristol Friends of the Arts
Community Grants Program
25C Main Street
Bristol, VT  05443