Can I submit an application in September if I did not submit a letter of intent in May?
We cannot accept any new applicants after the letter of intent deadline has passed because applicants are invited to the next stage of consideration based on the letters of intent.

What is a fiscal sponsor, and do I need one?
A fiscal sponsor is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that will receive and administer your funds on your behalf should you receive a grant. (501(c)(3) status is the federal tax determination given to non-profit charitable organizations.) Because funds can only be awarded to non-profit organizations, you must apply using a fiscal sponsor if your company does not have non-profit status.

How do I find a fiscal sponsor?
One way to find a fiscal sponsor is through your current affiliations, such as theaters, libraries, community organizations, or professional societies that are familiar with your work. In addition, the New York Foundation for the Arts (www.nyfa.org) offers a fiscal sponsorship program and provides a list of other organizations with fiscal sponsorship programs across the country. The Foundation Center (www.fdncenter.org) also has information on finding a fiscal sponsor, along with examples of policies, procedures, and guidelines for fiscal sponsorship agreements.

Do I need a commitment from a fiscal sponsor prior to submitting my letter of intent?
You do not need a fiscal sponsor in order to submit a letter of intent. If you are invited to submit a full proposal, you must have a commitment from a fiscal sponsor when the complete application is due.

Can my organization serve as a fiscal sponsor for an artist if we are applying for a grant ourselves?
Yes. Serving as a fiscal sponsor for another artist will not affect our consideration of your own application in any way.

Can my organization serve as the fiscal sponsor for multiple applicants?
Yes. You can serve as a fiscal sponsor for as many artists as you like. It will not affect our consideration of the artist's applications or your own application, if you are submitting one yourself.

Should I include a description of my company in my letter of intent?
While we are primarily interested in gaining a clear understanding of the content and execution of the proposed project, it is helpful to include some background information on your company in the letter of intent, particularly if you have not applied for a Henson grant in the past.

What sort of visuals and/or video should I submit with my full application if my piece is in an early stage of development?
We highly recommend submitting materials relevant to the proposed project, even if they are sketches or early prototypes. If the board is not familiar with your company, we also encourage you to include some visuals from past pieces representative of your work.

Do I need to specify whether I am applying for a seed grant or a project grant?
It is not necessary to state which type of grant you would like to receive when submitting your letter of intent, though you may do so if you like. If you are invited to submit a full proposal, you will be asked to specify in your application whether you are requesting project or seed funds. If you are applying for further support of a piece that has already received a seed grant, the piece is eligible only for a project grant, and the board will be aware of this when reviewing your application.

Will the foundation consider a proposal for a project that is not strictly puppet theater if it incorporates elements of puppetry?
We are happy to consider proposals for work that crosses or combines artistic genres as long as puppetry is integral to the entire piece. We receive far more proposals each year than we are able to fund, so we must focus on those projects that most closely fulfill our mission to develop new works of puppet theater. The sophistication of the design and the skill of the manipulation are just as important as the degree to which puppetry is utilized in the piece. For example, if your work is an hour long and features only ten minutes of puppetry, or if the puppets are used as props or manipulated by actors with no training in the art form, then we do not suggest applying for a Henson Foundation grant.

Where can I find information on other potential funding sources for my project?
The Foundation Center (www.fdncenter.org) is an excellent resource for fundraising research, particularly the Learning Lab and Finding Funders sections. We also recommend NYFA Source, a national database of awards, services, and publications for artists of all disciplines provided by the New York Foundation for the Arts (www.nyfa.org).