Registration deadline: March 3
Application deadlines: April 1, July 1

General Operating Support (GOS) is unrestricted support for ongoing institutional operating activities of organizations whose central mission is to provide public programs and/or services in literature. GOS is designed to support organizations that demonstrate a consistent track record of artistic achievement, public service, and managerial competence. The Council examines the nature, scope, and quality of an organization's programs and activities when considering the provision and level of GOS support. GOS support reflects NYSCA's recognition of the artistic and organizational capabilities of qualified arts and cultural organizations.

GOS grants will be no less than $5,000, and will rarely exceed 25% of an organization's budget, based on the income and expense statement for the organization's most recently completed fiscal year. GOS support is awarded on a multi-year basis.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for General Operating Support, an organization must meet each of the following conditions.

A primary focus in Literature

At least three consecutive years of previous support from the Literature Program

Paid staff

National organizations must have significant services or activities within New York State

Non-arts and non-cultural organizations are not eligible for GOS funding and are referred to the General Program Support or Public Programs funding categories.

Eligibility for Other NYSCA Funds

Organizations receiving GOS from the Literature Program may also apply for support in the Translation and Services to the Field categories. Applications in the Translation category are exempt from the Council's four-request limit. Additional funds may be requested from other discipline programs of the Council. Please be reminded of the Council's four-request limit.

Application Instructions

The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget. Complete the Events Schedule form, the Publication form, and/or the Workshops/Classes form, if applicable, as part of this request. Please include the name of the writers presented at each event. (Click on the "supplemental form" link on the left navigation bar of your NYSCA home page to access these forms.)

Required support materials are listed below. First-time GOS applicants are strongly advised to contact Program staff before the March registration deadline.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Literary Program Overview
Describe the literary programs and/or services planned for the coming year, highlighting new or expanded activities and curatorial approach. Provide a representative list of the writers/teachers presented in the most recently completed year and those proposed for the coming year, including a one-sentence biography on each writer.

2. Organizational Changes
Describe any significant changes or developments in your organization since the Council last reviewed it. Explain any significant changes in the level of activity in your programs.

3. Finances
Describe your organization's fundraising strategy and any plans, projects and activities for meeting current and future expenses. Describe ways in which the Board and senior staff is involved with this work.

4. Audience/Promotional
Describe the audience for your programs. Summarize strategies for diversifying audiences through packaging, marketing, and pricing of programs. Provide an overview of your educational and interpretive programming.

5. Facilities
Briefly describe your organization's facilities as they relate to programming and services. If you program in collaboration with other organizations, please discuss how facilities are shared.

6. Context
Describe your work in partnership with any organizations providing similar or complementary arts services in your community. Discuss your collaborative activities, specifying names of your partners and types of programming.

7. Organizational Development
Describe the role of the Board and staff in the development and the ongoing assessment of programs and services. How are programs and other institutional initiatives evaluated and assessed?

Support Materials

Support material must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the program by the application deadline. If you want support materials returned, provide a self-addressed stamped envelope.

1. A representative sample of literary publications and promotional brochures produced in the most recent artistic season

2. Updated resumés of key artistic personnel including resumé of the literary curator/coordinator. (3 copies)

3. Optional: submit a copy of the organization's long-range plan or strategic plan