The NOTCF’s Grant Portal is experiencing technical difficulties and applicants are unable to submit applications at this time. Once we resolve the issue, we will notify the public and reopen the portal on another day. If you are concerned whether your application was received or not please email us at [email protected] for assistance from our Grants Team.
We apologize for this inconvenience but we hope to quickly resolve this issue and continue to support the cultural industry through our Grants Program.
-NOTCF Team
Attention Mini-Grant Applicants
If the applicant received previous funding from NOTCF, a Performance Report must be complete before applying. You will not be seen if the report is not submitted prior to your scheduled appointment.
All applicants must submit a valid, unexpired government issued photo identification (Driver’s License, State ID, School ID, Passport, etc.).
If applying as a traditional cultural practitioner, all applicants must submit at least one (1) photo of themselves in a suit or regalia without a mask, crown, or anything covering the individual’s face for us to identify everyone applying and match their photos to the identification provided.
All applicants must submit an itemized budget listing supplies and their costs.
If the applicant is a minor (under 18 years old) you must submit at least 1 of the 3 documents listed below:
School Profile Page with Picture of Minor
School or State ID
Birth Certificate
CLICK HERE to schedule your in-person appointment. Applicants can call The Grants Team at (504) 766-9485 or (504) 291-5686 to receive assistance with setting up an appointment starting one week prior to an application intake day.
Only the applicant plus one (1) other person may be present during your appointment.
Walk-ins will NOT be accepted
Level 1 Mini-Grant Application Assistance Appointments open August 26, 2024
Attention ALL Applicants
There will be three (3) cycles in 2025:
January 2025
May 2025
September 2025
The New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) Grants Program will implement an automated lottery-based system effective January 2025. This update is part of our continued effort to provide fairness, equity, and accessibility to all eligible applicants.
Once the automated system has determined the review order applications will be vetted by staff.
Applications selected in the automated system that do not have all necessary documentation will not be reviewed, and the applicant will be notified through their Submittable profile.
Applications that are not reviewed because the maximum number of award applications are reached will be notified through Submittable.
Applicants will be approved only once per year.
The grant portal will be open for 24 hours with no limit to the number of submissions accepted.
Applicants with missing documents will automatically be denied. Applicants that have been denied can reapply during a future grant cycle.
For-profit businesses that have been awarded at least three (3) grants, the fourth (4th) and future grants are limited to Level 2 ($2,501-$9,999). This encourages for-profit businesses to seek other revenue streams or consider expanding the services to increase revenues and sustain their businesses.
We do not reserve uploaded documents from previous applications for applicants. Applicants must resubmit all required documentation each time a new application is submitted.
Effective June 1, 2024, all grant applications must be submitted 120 days or more before the event/project begins.
Intake Day – January 2, 2025
Set Your Mini-Grant and Golden Age Application Appointments for Cycle 1 – January 15, 2025
Mini-Grant Appointment Days – January 22-24, 2025
Golden Age Culture Appointment Days – January 27-28, 2025
Up to 100 grant awards (70 individual, 15 Appointment, 15 Golden Age Appointment)
Up to 14 grant awards
Up to 20 grant awards
February
Review Period
Review Period
Review Period
Review Period
March
Processing & General Assistance Appointments
Decision Letters & Awards
Decision Letters & Awards
April
Final Processing
Set Your Mini-Grant and Golden Age Application Appointments for Cycle 2 – April 26, 2025
Grant Review Committee & Board of Directors Meeting
Decision Letters & Awards
Cycle 2
May
Intake Day – May 1, 2025
Mini-Grant Appointments – May 5-7, 2025
Golden Age Culture Appointments – May 8-9, 2025
Up to 100 grant awards (70 individual, 15 Appointment, 15 Golden Age Appointment)
Up to 13 grant awards
Up to 20 grant awards
June
Review Period
Review Period
Review Period
Review Period
July
Processing & General Assistance Appointments
Decision Letters & Awards
Decision Letters & Awards
August
Final Processing
Set Your Mini-Grant and Golden Age Application Appointments for Cycle 3 – August 25, 2025
Grant Review Committee & Board of Directors Meeting
Decision Letters & Awards
Cycle 3
September
Intake Day – September 3, 2025
Mini-Grant Appointments – September 3-5, 2025
Golden Age Culture Appointments – September 8-9, 2025
Up to 100 grant awards (70 individual, 15 Appointment, 15 Golden Age Appointment)
Up to 13 grant awards
Up to 20 grant awards
October
Review Period
Review Period
Review Period
Review Period
November
Processing & General Assistance Appointments
Decision Letters & Awards
Decision Letters & Awards
December
Final Processing
Grant Review Committee & Board of Directors Meeting
Decision Letters & Awards
Maximum Award Consideration will be $100,000.
Funding Levels:
Level 1
$ 1 – $ 2,500 Mini-Grant
For smaller projects and individuals (e.g., Mardi Gras Indians, Mardi Gras Krewe Riders, Baby Dolls, Social Aid and Pleasure Club Members, Brass Band Members, Musicians, etc.), program support that is focused on smaller communities with limited scopes and periods, such as a single creative production or single community event.
For mid-level projects and programs that reach a larger audience, to support or benefit an organization or business, train a sub-section of cultural bearers/cultural workers for specific tasks over a limited period, and support larger community events with a broader impact on the cultural economy.
For larger scale projects and programs that stretch over a larger time period, reach a wide audience, train a class of culture bearer/worker in multiple skills, larger multi-community/city-wide events.
Level 3 grant applicants meeting the full requirements of the terms and conditions and eligible to move forward to the Grant Review Committee will be notified of the date, time and location of the Grant Review Committee meeting via email.
To access and complete a performance report, those who have been awarded funds should notify the NOTCF Grants Team using their Submittable login credentials. A team member will share a link to the performance report. Performance report links will only be shared with those who have been awarded funding.
Performance reports will be due 30 days after the completion of the event.
The New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) requires adherence to certain terms and conditions in order for an application to be considered for funding.
WHY MEASURE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY? Currently, the Hotel Occupancy Privilege Tax is the only source of revenue for NOTCF. This tax is generated when hotel rooms in the New Orleans area are occupied. Positive economic impact for the City of New Orleans has the potential to drive the Hotel Occupancy taxes and therefore, allow NOTCF to support events at higher levels each year. Sustainability measures allow organizers and the NOTCF applicant review committee to consider the long-term view of the organization and any potential challenges an organizer might face with an event. Consideration of challenges allows the organizers to develop plans to mitigate those challenges so that an event can be executed successfully.
