About the Fern Fund Mini-Grant Program
The Fern Fund has been established by Pike School of Art — Mississippi in memory and in honor of our beloved board member Mrs. Fern Martha Crossley (1934 – 2022). The fund is initially set at $2,000 per year and will be distributed to arts organizations and neighborhood associations, individual artists, groups of artists, non-arts nonprofits and community-based organizations for project expenses associated with presenting multi-disciplinary, multigenerational, free gatherings in our community.
In McComb, Mrs. Fern was a beloved community advocate and was very active with St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. At the time of her death, in addition to our board, she was on the board of Pike County Arts Council and McComb Main Street Association. She was also a member of Southwest Mississippi Art Guild, the Rotary Club of McComb, Friends of the Pike County Libraries, the Toys for Tots program and many other community organizations. She was fond of advocating for “Unity in the Community.”
The Fern Fund Mini-Grant Program supports the implementation of short-term or one-time innovative and creative events that engage communities within the City of McComb and the Towns of Summit and Magnolia. The Fern Fund Mini-Grants are part of Pike School of Art — Mississippi’s community programming.
What is the goal of the Fern Fund Mini-Grants?
The Fern Fund Mini-Grants support arts organizations and neighborhood associations, individual artists, groups of artists, non-arts nonprofits and community-based organizations with project expenses associated with presenting multi-disciplinary, multigenerational, free gatherings in our community.
This program supports asset-based community development, leveraging arts, artists, culture bearers, arts organizations, and civic organizations to unify and connect people, building deeper engagement with one another and celebrating the places where we live, work, and create.
Who may apply?
Organizations and individuals are eligible to apply for Fern Fund Mini-Grants if they meet the following criteria:
- Are based in Pike County, Mississippi.
- Have a commitment to access, equity, and inclusion.
- Applicants who are previous and/or current Fern Fund grantees must be compliant with all grant requirements and reporting in order to be eligible for this grant opportunity.
You do not have to be a 501(c)(3) or be affiliated with a 501(c)(3) to apply for Fern Fund Mini-Grants. If you apply as an individual or as a non-tax exempt organization or group and are selected for a grant award, your grant award will be considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service. You will be required to submit a W-9.
Eligible Requests
- Event must contain an element that is artistic or cultural in nature, including either performance, exhibit, culinary arts, or creation and engagement in artistic or cultural exercise.
- Event should include a physical, in-person event to happen in a specific neighborhood in Pike County within the City of McComb or the Towns of Summit and Magnolia.
- Event budget should be reasonable and sufficient to execute the project within the project period.
- Event must be free and open to the public or have a component that is free and open to the public.
- Event should be multigenerational, to appeal to audiences of all ages.
- Applicant should be able to define the project’s target audience and have a plan for attracting this audience to the experience.
Ineligible Requests
The following are not eligible for the Fern Fund Mini-Grants:
- General operating support.
- Re-granting.
- Religious or primarily faith-based programs or organizations receiving a significant portion of their funding from a religious organization.
- Advocacy of specific political causes or candidates.
- The Fern Fund will not award grant support to organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws, or practices, discriminate against a person or group because of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief. In doing so, we seek to promote respect for all people.
Grant Awards
Two grant awards will be made for $250 each quarter of the year. There is no cash match requirement and the grant amount can partially or fully fund the project.
Applications are awarded on a rolling basis and may be submitted at any time during the year. An applicant may only submit one application per grant cycle. If a grant is awarded, applicants will be required to wait for the next 3 grant cycles before applying again. Primary applicants can only be awarded 1 time in a 12– month period.
Award Criteria and Determination
Receiving a Fern Fund Mini-Grant is a competitive process. All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Pike School of Art — Mississippi’s Programming Committee. Proposals will be scored as follows:
- Project meets the eligibility guidelines.
- Applicant is able to define the project’s target audience and has a plan for attracting this audience to the experience.
- The project budget is feasible and meets funding requirements.
- The project can be completed in the proposed timeline.
- Project aligns with Fern Fund’s goals to empower every person to see themselves as an artist and belonging to a community of artists.
- Fern Fund will prioritize events that are accessible and provide an opportunity for meaningful participation for people of all abilities, and for underserved and under-represented populations.
Grant Periods and Deadlines
Fern Fund Mini-Grant applications may be submitted on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed quarterly, with awards made on the following timeline:
Winter
- Applications received through Friday, November 15, 2024 are eligible
- Notification to applicants by Friday, December 20
- Grant Period – events happening January – March*
- Grant Report due by April 14
Spring
- Applications received through Friday, February 14, 2025 are eligible
- Notification to applicants by Friday, March 21
- Grant Period – events happening April – June*
- Grant Report due by July 14
Summer
- Applications received through Friday, May 16, 2025 are eligible
- Notification to applicants by Friday, June 20
- Grant Period – events happening July – September*
- Grant Report due by October 14
Fall
- Applications received through Friday, August 15, 2025 are eligible
- Notification to applicants by Friday, September 19
- Grant Period – events happening October – December*
- Grant Report due by January 14
*If an application’s event date does not fall within the grant period, the application will be carried forward into the next round of reviews. Grants will not be awarded retroactively for events that took place or began before the grant period.
Helpful tip: If your event spans different grant periods, consider applying for a specific opening event, closing event, or a free community night.
What is expected of me and my organization if our application is approved?
Reporting:
- Report the number of culture bearers or organizations who were paid through the grant award.
- Report attendance numbers with information on age and race.
- Share a story of impact on the neighborhood and 1-3 photos/videos from your event.
- Report the primary neighborhood(s) that your event impacted.
Recognition:
Include Fern Fund logo on any materials printed or distributed digitally. This may include marketing, advertising, signs, programs, or other materials. Fern Fund may ask you to display a banner or sign. If so, this will be provided to you.
Application includes:
- Contact Information
- Project Details
- Partner Details
- Visual Support Material (Optional: i.e. Letters of Support, material from previous events, existing marketing for event)
- Budget
Timeline and At-A-Glance Information
| Grant Opportunity Announced | September 1, 2024 |
| Rolling grant application, Grant Periods and Deadlines for 2024-2025 | November 15, 2024, February 14, 2025, May 16, 2025, August 15, 2025 |
| Award Amounts | Fern Fund Mini-Grants are $250. |
| How many awards will be made in each grant period? | Two awards will be made each project period. |
Link to the Fern Fund Overview (DOC)
Link to Application Questions (DOC)
Link to Budget Template (SHEETS)
Still Have Questions? Contact Pike School of Art — Mississippi at mail@psa-ms.org.
