Grants for Organizations - Call for Panelists!

Grants for Organizations - Call for Panelists
Deadline:  Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

The Grants for Organizations (GFO) program provides general operating support to nonprofit organizations, as well as units of government, that produce or present ongoing arts programming that is open to the public.

MSAC relies on a diverse array of experts from across the state of Maryland to do the important work of evaluating applications. MSAC selects Grants for Organizations (GFO) panelists with a focus on diversity of experiences, diversity of location, and expertise in the disciplines of the organizations under review. Panelists must be Maryland residents. 

What does a panelist do?

Selected panelists: 

  • Participate in two virtual training sessions - one in late November/early December, and one at a mid-way point in the winter (late January/early February)
  • Review and evaluate applications on MSAC’s online grants management system, SmartSimple.*
  • Complete assigned extension assignments (Artistic Site Visits and In-Depth Conversations). Please note, some in-person activities will be a part of the extension assignments. 
  • Participate in one GFO panel meeting (Virtual - late March/early April 2023). 
  • Panelists receive compensation of $50/training meeting, $50/completed extension assignment, a minimum of $200 for all online application reviews, $100/panel meeting, and a travel stipend, if applicable.

*Each panelist can expect to review up to approximately 25 applications and to complete up to approximately 12 extension assignments each. Each application may take approximately one hour to review. Extension assignments may occur throughout the state of Maryland. The average commitment of hours varies based on the total number of applications and travel requirements. The majority of work happens on the panelists’ own time from late November 2022 through the panel meeting in March/April 2023.

What We’re Looking For:

  • Independent artists, arts administrators, fundraisers, arts enthusiasts, and students interested in the grantmaking process
  • Individuals to represent expertise in the following panel disciplines: 
    • Theatre
    • Multi-Disciplinary Arts
    • Folk/Traditional Arts
    • Service 
  • Individuals to fill a multi-disciplinary Performing/Literary Arts panel (including those with backgrounds in Music, Dance, and Literary) and a Visual Arts and Media panel
  • Individuals representing the wide geographic diversity of the state of Maryland - we are especially looking for individuals from the Western, Southern, and Eastern Shore regions
  • Individuals who have some flexibility and time in their schedules to allow for daytime and/or evening availability of the applicants

Panelists must have access to a computer with internet connection to complete reviews.

How do I apply to be a panelist?

Submit your application via MSAC’s online grants management system, SmartSimple. 

  • Click here to log in or create a free account in SmartSimple (you will need to be registered as an Independent Artist to apply).
  • Under Funding Opportunities, select "Public Call."
  • Select "Panelist" from the drop down options and click "Save Draft" to populate the application.
  • Select “Grants for Organizations” as the Grant Program.
  • Complete the application, and click “Submit.