Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
Purpose:
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is administering $10 million to provide grants to live entertainment venues or promoters of live performances. DHCD will prioritize grants to applicants that closed or cancelled live performances due to capacity limitations in response to the pandemic and for which any previously received State or federal stimulus funds, due to the size of the venue, were not sufficient to cover the fixed costs of the live entertainment venue or promoter.
This NOFA pertains to the funding allocation for MD Recovery Now: Entertainment Venues II and provides a preview of the application which is projected to be available online on Monday, March 22 at 12:00 pm.
Applicant Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible to apply, an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be an IRS determined nonprofit live entertainment venue OR a for-profit live entertainment venue OR a promoter of live performances
- Be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
- Live entertainment venues must be based in Maryland and attract attendees/participants and thus contribute substantially to the health of the local and state economy.
- Live performance promoter may be based outside of Maryland, but must be one that books live music, dance and/or theater shows/performances and the like in live entertainment venues in Maryland.
- Be financially viable and whose operations will continue forward
Eligible Uses of Funds:
DHCD Entertainment Venues II funds can be used for one or more of the following, with an emphasis on activities that support the reopening of venues and/or booking of live performances in Maryland venues in 2021:
- Operating support related to expense increases and revenue reductions as a result of the impact of COVID19 on live shows/performances AND/OR
- Capital support related to expense increases and revenue reductions to modify facilities as a result of the impact of COVID19 on live shows/performances
Funding Criteria:
The maximum grant request amount is $500,000.
Funding priority will be given to live entertainment venues or promoters of live performances that:
- closed or cancelled live performances due to capacity limitations in response to the pandemic and
- for which any previously received State or federal stimulus funds due to the size of the venue were not sufficient to cover the fixed costs of the live entertainment venue or promoter.
Requested funding amounts should be based on the applicant’s ability to:
- Explain and provide information on the loss of revenue due to the pandemic and related state-of-emergency and how this revenue loss relates to sustaining fixed expenses.
- Explain and provide details that demonstrate the reduced revenues are in excess of other COVID-19 relief funding received.
- Explain the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on hosting live performances and booking live performances.
- Explain and provide information on how any awarded funds would be used to sustain operations and reopen for live performances or be able to book live performances.
An applicant will also have to provide the following information:
- Total number of live shows/performances: 2019 (actual), 2020 (planned), 2020 (actual), 2021(projected)
- Total number of paid attendees for live shows/performances: 2019 (actual), 2020 (planned), 2021(projected)
- Total dollar amount of ticket sales for live shows/performances: 2019 (actual), 2020 (planned), 2021(projected)
- Total amount of Admissions and Amusement Tax paid: 2019 (actual), 2020 (planned), 2021(projected)
An applicant must also meet all of the following criteria:
- Only applications that are fully complete at submission will be considered for funding.
-
Actual revenue losses or expense increases must have occurred during the period March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021 and must be in excess/net of other COVID-19 relief funding received.
- Requests for funds must be utilized during the period April 1-December 31, 2021.
- Individual grant amounts may be reduced relative to requests, if demand exceeds available funding.
Application Process:
- NOFA release: Friday, March 19, 2021
- Projected on-line NORI application portal opens: Monday, March 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm
- Application portal closes: Friday, April 2, 2021 at 5:00 pm at the latest; the portal may close sooner if or when grant requests exceed available funding.
- Funding announcements are projected to be made by or before the end of May 2021.
Applicants will be required to register with the Maryland OneStop Portal. OneStop is the central hub for Maryland State licenses, forms, certificates, permits, applications, and registrations
It is recommended that applicants register in advance of the application round opening.
Application Requirements:
In addition to basic organizational information, such as the applicant’s mission statement/primary purpose, the following information will be required in the on-line application in order for an application to be considered complete. Space to answer will be very limited; it is recommended that applicants prepare answers in advance of the opening of the on-line application.
- COVID-19 Impacts:
(a) Provide specific dollar amounts, summarizing the overall impact of revenue lost due to COVID-19 in 2020 and how this loss has impacted the applicant’s annual budget, in particular the fixed costs associated with operations. This information should align with the Profit & Loss statements uploaded in the application.
(b) Provide the specific dollar amount related to the impact of any increased expenses due to COVID-19, if any, with respect to reopening a venue or booking live performances in Maryland venues.
- Operations in 2021:
(a) Explain the applicant's plan for operations in 2021 and the impact of COVID-19 on those plans
(b) Describe the applicant's current financial condition and ability to continue operation in 2021.
(c) Explain how any awarded funds would be used to support operations and/or reopen the applicant’s venue or book live performances in Maryland venues in 2021. Explain how the items listed in the Use of Funds/Budget section below would be used to sustain and continue operations.
- Budget/Use of Funds: A simple budget form will be provided in the on-line application in which the applicant will individually list each proposed use(s) of requested funds.
NOTE: The MD Recovery Now-Entertainment Venues II funding is aimed to support live entertainment venues and promoters of live performances that can continue to operate and produce an economic impact in Maryland.
Application Attachments:
All of the following attachments will be required in the on-line application in order for the application to be considered complete:
- IRS Determination Letter of nonprofit status, if applicable
- Online verification of Certificate of Good Standing from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
- IRS W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
- 2019 Profit and Loss Statement that itemizes revenue and expenses
- 2020 Profit and Loss Statement that itemizes revenue and expenses
- Lease/Management Agreement for live entertainment venue, if applicable
For More Information/Contact
Email the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development at:
dhcd.mdrecoverynow@maryland.gov
