Large Cultural Organizations Development Fund II (LCODF II)
 

The purpose of this development fund is to provide a periodic opportunity for large cultural organizations to undertake strategic projects, outside their general operating budgets, that enhance their capacity for improved performance. For more information, refer to our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
 
Eligibility: Twin Cities' cultural organizations with annual operating budgets larger than $5 million are eligible to apply to LCODF II. This currently includes:

Artspace Projects, Inc., Minneapolis
Children’s Theater Company, Minneapolis
The Guthrie Theater Foundation, Minneapolis
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis
Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Minnesota Opera Company, Minneapolis
Minnesota Orchestra, Minneapolis
Minnesota Public Radio, St. Paul
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St. Paul
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, St. Paul
Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
Twin Cities Public Television, St. Paul
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis

LCODF II applicants must have filed a final report on all previous Foundation grants.
  
Current LCODF I grantees must follow the frequency rules that apply to your grants. (LCODF I grants are approved no more than once every three years). If your current LCODF I grant term is less than three years in length, you may apply to LCODF II once the three-year interval has concluded. If your current LCODF I grant term is three years in length, you must allow a six month interval between submission of final reports for current grant and submission of a letter of intent for LCODF II.
 
Previous RADP participants may apply at the next LCODF II letter of intent deadline following submission of your final RADP report.
  
Foundation program staff welcome inquiries by email, phone or letter.

Program Duration: LCODF II will run from 2006 to 2015.

Uses of Grant Funds: While the Foundation is flexible in the use of LCODF grant funds, the proposed projects must be linked to your organization’s strategic priorities and outside its general operating budget. The Foundation is particularly interested in new ideas that challenge your institution to adapt in order to enhance your artistic quality, your community engagement, your managerial competency or your financial balance sheet. The project should be rooted in your long-term planning and have been broadly discussed among board and staff.
 
LCODF II funds may be used for special artistic or administrative initiatives that are sustainable after Foundation support ends or for capital or endowment campaigns. If your proposal is for a capital or endowment campaign, please speak with Bush Foundation program staff, Nancy Fushan. Requests for infrastructure, fundraising or administrative project support must make a compelling case for how the project advances your artistic mission or community engagement. The Fund can support all or part of proposed costs of a new initiatives. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the review criteria included in Appendix A of the guidelines for LCODF II.
 
Grant Size: Grants range in size from $100,000 to $1 million. Most recently the average grant award has been $750,000 with one in five grantees receiving $1 million. Grant size varies depending on a number of factors, including the current performance of the Foundation’s portfolio and the number of organizations that apply in any round. The Foundation may not approve all request for funding or may approve less than the requested amount.
 
Grant Duration: The grant can be for up to four years, depending on the nature of the request.
 
Grant Frequency:  No organization can receive a grant more frequently than once in a five-year period. Subsequent grant requests must be for a new activity.
 
Funding Cycles: Your Letter of Intent (LOI) is due by April 1 or September 1; within six weeks we will advise you if we will accept your full proposal.
 
If we are willing to receive your full proposal, you may submit it any time within the following 12 months.
 
For complete information, including application instructions, download the PDF of the LCODF II guidelines.
 
 
Large Cultural Organizations Development Fund I (LCODF I)
This program preceded LCODF II and expired in 2005.


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