Small community-based arts and cultural organizations (those with an operating budget less than $1 million) in Cook County are invited to apply for the four-year SMART Growth capacity-building grant program, which is open for applications beginning on July 15th at http://www.cct.org/smartgrowth.

The SMART Growth program of The Chicago Community Trust was established to help small arts and cultural organizations engage their boards and staffs in strengthening management practices that effectively support their missions, enabling them to contribute to their communities and pay living wages to their artists and staff, and remain resilient in the face of economic and demographic shifts. Program participants undergo valuable training in the SMART Growth methodology, which includes establishing outcomes that are Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Timed. They then receive three years of general operating grants, which range from $15,000 – $50,000 per year.

Two information sessions describing in detail the SMART Growth program will take place in July:

• Chicago Urban Arts Society, 600 West Cermak Road, Unit 1B

Wednesday July 9, 3-4:30pm

• The Chicago Community Trust, 225 North Michigan Ave, Suite 2200

Thursday July 17, 1-2:30pm

Representatives/leadership from organizations that are considering applying are strongly urged to attend an information session and learn more; advance reservations are required via e-mail to rdill@cct.org.

Applications for the SMART Growth grant program will be accepted on line from July 15 – Aug. 29 at http://www.cct.org/smartgrowth. For more information on the SMART Growth grant program and/or the information sessions please call 312-616-8000 ext. 122 or visit http://www.cct.org/smartgrowth.