Grant Programs
and resources for grant writers

Looking for funding? COCA administers several different grant programs aimed to help local arts organizations.
COCA’s grant programs are primarily funded through the Tourism Development Tax (TDT). The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly reduced the TDT collections which will impact both the FY22 Cultural and Tourism Marketing grant cycles.
See the COCA Cultural Grant and Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant guidelines below, plus a new link to COCA’s online grants system.
Please visit our YouTube Channel here for replays of our grants workshops.
Interested in serving on a grant panel? Complete the Panelist Nomination Form.
Questions? Contact COCA Grants Manager, Hillary Crawford at hillary@tallahasseearts.org.
COCA Grant Programs
Cultural Grant Programs
The mission of the COCA Cultural Grant Program is to serve and support the community of non-profit arts and cultural organizations within Tallahassee and Leon County through program funding which enhances the quality of life as well as the tourism and economic development of our community. An applicant’s programming must contribute to the tourism development of Leon County in accordance with Florida Statute 125.0104.
Additionally, an applicant’s programming must meet at least one of the following goals: offer arts, history or cultural programs with exemplary standards and objectives; provide educational opportunities in arts, culture, and/or history for young people or adults; serves a special or diverse population or need, fills a unique niche, or engages the community in the creative or artistic process.
• FY22 Interim Report Form (updated 4.01.2022) due: April 30, 2022
*Please note – As part of the FY22 Final Report, grantees must attach the Program Documentation & Expenditure Log in one PDF.
• FY21 Final Report Form (updated 4.30.21) due: Nov. 1, 2021 (unless you’ve been assigned a new date in an approved amendment)
*Please note – As part of the FY21 Final Report, grantees are required to attach proof of Funding Recognition and Proof of Payment & Proof of Performance in one PDF.
• FY21 Proof of Payment & Proof of Performance Checklist
• FY21 Funding Recognition & Logos Policy
Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant Program
The COCA Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant Program is designed to increase the visibility and awareness of Leon County’s arts and cultural organizations and their programming, to those outside of the County. Marketing initiatives should highlight our vibrant and diverse cultural community and seek to attract visitors.
For the purposes of this grant, organizations will need to specify marketing and promotional initiatives which use media outlets or strategies that are not primarily focused on the local Tallahassee/Leon County market. Use of these grant funds should raise the overall awareness of Leon County as a desirable place to visit.
• FY22 Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant Guidelines
• FY22 Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant Application
• FY22 COVID Plan form
*FY21 CTMG grantees will not be carried forward to FY22 and must reapply.
Grant Workshop: June 11, 2021 at 10:00 AM
→ Watch the Grants Workshop – Passcode: Kff*p@c5
Technical Consultation Deadline: July 2, 2021
Application deadline: July 9, 2021
Panel Meeting via Zoom: Oct. 1, 2021 at 9:00am via Zoom
→ Audio recording of the panel meeting
Grant funds must be spent: Sept. 30, 2022
Final Report Due: Nov. 4, 2022
• FY21 Final Report Form (updated 4.30.21) due: October 29, 2021 (unless you’ve been assigned a new date in an approved amendment)
*Please note – As part of the FY21 Final Report, grantees are required to attach Proof of Funding Recognition and Proof of Payment & Proof of Performance in one PDF.
• FY21 Proof of Payment & Proof of Performance Checklist
• FY21 Funding Recognition & Logos Policy
→ Grant Panelist Nomination Form
Read the Florida Statute 125.0104 on the Tourist Development Tax
Cultural Facilities Matching Grant Program
This grant opportunity is closed. For questions, please contact COCA Grants Manager, Hillary Crawford, at Hillary@tallahasseearts.org
Resources for Grant Writers
Funding Recognition Policy & Logos
Downloadable Logos for Funding Recognition
• Download the FY22 Funding Recognition & Logos Policy (Grant Contract Exhibit B) for COCA Grantees.
If you need further assistance or have questions about COCA’s funding recognition policy, contact COCA’s Communications & Marketing Manager, Erica Thaler at erica@tallahasseearts.org.
RECENT COCA GRANT AWARDS
Cultural Grant Program
Cultural Facilities Matching Grant Program
• FY19 Facilities Grant Program
• FY18 Facilities Grant Program
Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant Program
• FY21 Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant Program
GRANT WRITING TIPS
There are many resources for grantwriters available online. COCA also provides workshops and personal consultations regarding the grantwriting process throughout the year. First-time grantwriters are encouraged to:
• Attend COCA grantwriting workshops
• Schedule a Courtesy Review appointment
• Review COCA’s guidelines carefully for tips and advice about the grant application requirements
• Contact COCA’s Grant Programs Manager, Hillary Crawford at Hillary@tallahasseearts.org
• Candid’s eBook collection on Grant and Proposal Writing
• Candid Learning – Introduction to Proposal Writing
• Guide to Proposal Writing Audiobook
• Schedule a 30 minute consultation with COCA’s Grants Manager, Hillary Crawford
• Grant Writing Tips (Fundraiser Help)
• Tips for Online Grant Applications (Philanthropy News Digest)
• Florida Division of Arts and Culture’s Cultural Tourism Toolkit
• Resources on Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement (National Endowment for the Arts)
In addition to COCA’s grant funding opportunities, COCA also manages listings for other local, regional and national grant opportunities for arts and cultural organizations on our website, www.Tallahasseearts.org.
Other Funding Opportunities
COCA constantly researches and finds great regional and national funding opportunities for individual artists and arts organizations. For more funding opportunities click below: