GDDF Gen Ops Plus announces $500 increase to general operating awards

Since GDDF launched Gen Ops Plus in 2013, our goal has been to be responsive to the needs of Chicago’s small arts organizations. We offer general operating support because we know it gives groups the flexibility to direct money where it is needed most. In 2014, we increased the number of two-year grants, so eligible groups could reliably count on this support and plan accordingly.

Today, we are pleased to announce that with our spring 2016 review cycle, GDDF will increase grant awards to Chicago arts organizations by $500 per budget tier. For example, an organization with a budget of $75,000 now will receive an award of $5,500.

In addition to this award increase, we will continue to offer an array of Plus programs to help groups build resources and operational strength:

• Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs), $500 available to every GDDF grantee for training workshops, webinars and conferences to help build their management skills;
• Cash Reserve Challenge grants to help groups establish or enhance their cash reserves as well as expand their networks of support;
• Membership in the Arts Work Fund foundation collaborative which offers grants for deeper dives on organizational capacity issues;
• Partnership in AD3, a second funder collaborative that inaugurates the Innovation Bootcamp this year. (More on AD3 and Innovation Bootcamp in a future blog post.)

Chicago small arts organizations put all their muscle and heart into creating a cultural life for this city that is varied and vibrant and available any given day in the constellation of storefront theaters, art galleries, dance studios, concert halls and performance spaces all over town. We are pleased to be able to provide a little more to those who do so much.