• Program Details and Technical Support Launch 8/18/2021
• Application Launch – 9/1/2021, 8 AM
• Application Close – 10/29/21, 5 PM

I. PRORAM GUIDELINES The Arts and Culture Business and Performance Program provides support to St. Petersburg’s scores of independent galleries, a successful, close-knit community of working artists and craftspeople, and a stellar performing arts community. The intention with this program is to help retain St. Petersburg’s local arts and culture character by assisting the most impacted and vulnerable event spaces, small businesses and independent artists or performers. II. Purpose

• To provide general economic stimulus and technical assistance to counter the longstanding economic impacts of COVID-19, with an emphasis on business retention and resiliency.
• To provide ongoing support and stability to allow businesses and artists to continue building resilient operations following the pandemic impacts.
• Awards are grants, so no payback is required. However, funds are to only be used for approved/eligible uses. These grants may be considered taxable income, please contact your financial advisor for guidance.

III. Program Funds, Eligibility, and Application Submission Funding: The Resilience & Retention Program is being funded with a combination of remaining Fighting Chance Funds and a portion of CARES Act Funding as received by Pinellas County. Each business or individual is eligible to receive only one grant award from one of the Resilience and Retention grant programs. This is not a workforce assistance program. Applicant must be the owner/operator of the entity.   $936,000 have been set aside for the Arts & Culture Program and will be broken down into three grant categories as follows: Cultural Venues: Funded at $250,000 ($15,000 each) Arts & Culture: Business Grant (Brick & Mortar) funded at $275,000 ($10,000 each) Arts & Culture: Artists & Performers funded at $411,000 ($2,500 each) This program is intended to provide direct aid to businesses and individuals that make up the arts and culture industry in St. Petersburg. This includes the following primary industry categories:

1. Museums and Collections
2. Performing Arts
3. Visual Arts/Photography
4. Film, Radio and TV
5. Arts Schools and Services

View further definition of these categories at: https://stpetegreenhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/arts_culture_RR_categories.pdf  

These programs are not stackable, thus an entity must select which program best suits their business.

A. Cultural Venue
Cultural venues meeting the eligibility criteria below are eligible to apply for one $15,000 grant under this program if they occupy a commercial space in the City:

Eligibility Criteria

1. Cultural venues with physical commercial location based within the municipal boundaries of St. Petersburg with an indoor capacity of less than 1,500 attendees and/or outdoor capacity of less than 2,500 attendees.

2.Venue location must have no more than 50 full-time and part-time employees at the time of the application

3.Business for which the funding is requested must be actively in operation.

4. Primary operation includes ticketed and non-ticketed, seated and/or standing audience at performances and live entertainment events, preparation, production, practice, and presentation of in-person performances and live entertainment including but not limited to music, dance, opera, drama, comedy, and other theatre or audio and/or visual arts performed before a live audience (e.g., plays, musicals, concerts, lectures, speeches).

5. Proof of loss due to pandemic and/or eligible use of funds (as identified in Section V) must meet or exceed the funding amount of $15,000 with documented proof.

6. Business formation must reflect existence in St. Petersburg from January 1, 2020 or before.

Disqualifying Criteria  

1. Business has mortgage or lease payments that are 3 months in arrears or more
2. Business has current unpaid code enforcement liens
3. Business has current unpaid special assessment liens
4. An owner, officer, partner, or principal actor of the business received a felony conviction for financial mismanagement within the last two years for which he or she is still serving a sentence (including prison, parole, and probation)
5. Business is a party to a pending foreclosure
6. Business has submitted an application for another Resiliency & Retention grant that is either pending or approved.

B. Brick & Mortar Brick & Mortar Businesses in a commercial location, including charitable non-profit 501c3 organizations, are eligible to apply for one $10,000 grant under this program if they occupy a commercial space in the City, and they meet the applicable eligibility criteria for their specific business type set forth below:

Eligibility Criteria  

1. Independently owned local businesses, including non-profit organizations, with physical commercial location within the municipal boundaries of St. Petersburg.

a. For privately owned businesses operating under a franchise brand or affiliate, only independent entities and authorized agents located solely within the Tampa Bay Economic Regional boundary, which includes the following counties may be eligible: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Hernando, Pasco, Citrus, Manatee, and Sarasota.

2. Business for which the funding is requested must be actively in operation.

3. Business for which the funding is requested started operation in St. Petersburg before January 1, 2021.

4. Business for which the funding is requested is registered with the City of St. Petersburg Business Tax Division.

5. The business location for which the funding is requested must have no more than 50 full-time and part-time employees at the time of the application.

6. The primary purpose and industry of the business must be Arts & Culture related as defined in section III.

7. Proof of loss due to pandemic and/or eligible use of funds (as identified in Section V) must meet or exceed the funding amount of $10,000 with documented proof.

Disqualifying Criteria

1. Homebased business
2. Independent contractor
3. Business has mortgage or lease payments that are 3 months in arrears or more
4. Business has current unpaid code enforcement liens
5. Business has current unpaid special assessment liens
6. An owner, officer, partner, or principal actor of the business received a felony conviction for financial mismanagement within the last two years for which he or she is still serving a sentence (including prison, parole, and probation)
7. Business is a party to a pending foreclosure
8. Business has submitted an application for another Resiliency & Retention grant that is either pending or approved.

C. Individual Artist & Performer Artists & Performers are eligible to apply for one $2,500 grant under this program if they are an individual performing artist, and/or a home-based arts business if primary source of income is arts related (program is not intended for hobbyists), located within the City of St. Petersburg, and they meet applicable eligibility criteria for their specific business type set forth below:

Eligibility Criteria

1. Primary income is derived from the making or performance of art primarily located in St. Petersburg. This program is not intended for hobbyists.
2. Proof of past performance or work in the artistic community
3. Minimum revenue loss of $2,500 between 2019 and 2020 due to pandemic and long-term impacts from the pandemic as demonstrated on annual tax returns between 2019 and 2020.
   1. OR provide proof of revenue impact such as event cancellation or gallery closure during pandemic period between March 17, 2020 to present.
4. If homebased business: Business formation must reflect existence within the municipal boundaries of St. Petersburg from March 17, 2020 or before.
5. If individual or independent contractor: Residential address was within the municipal boundaries of St. Petersburg on or before March 1, 2020 through demonstration of state issued ID, residential lease agreement, or other form of residency status.
6. Residential address must be in St. Petersburg at the time of application Disqualifying Criteria

1. Business has current unpaid code enforcement liens

2. Business has current unpaid special assessment liens

3. The individual, or business owner, officer, partner, or principal actor of the business received a felony conviction for financial mismanagement within the last two years for which he or she is still serving a sentence (including prison, parole, and probation)

4. Individual or business has submitted an application for another Resiliency & Retention grant that is either pending or approved.

V. Eligible Use of Funds Identified retroactive expenses and/or future related costs must match or exceed the grant funding amount.  Use of this funding is flexible, as identified by the applicant with supporting documentation, but with particular focus on utilizing funding for the following purposes:

1. Cultural Venue or Brick & Mortar Applicants
   • Upgrade or replacement of major building systems;
   • Continuity planning and/or business model pivots including the purchase of technology for digital transition of business model;
   • Investment in COVID mitigation and safety expenses, equipment, personal protective items, and other physical improvements that support business resiliency in overcoming the impacts of COVID-19 and protection for staff and customers;
   • Related COVID-19 marketing expenses;
   • Creative solutions for workforce attraction and retention, including: hiring incentives, job fairs, vaccination incentives, bonuses, training and continued education;
   • Relocation costs related to unexpected lease termination;
   • Essential business operational expenses (ie mortgage and lease payments, utilities, employee salary, insurance, etc.)

VI. Ineligible Use of Funds Grants awarded under the program may not be used for the following purposes:

• Re-pay or pay down any portion of a loan obtained through a federal COVID-19 relief package for business assistance
• Personal use
• Travel related expenses

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS Application packages must include all documentation listed below. Failure to provide all required information – in a legible form – will result in the application being denied, but a new application may be submitted, contingent on the availability of funding.

1. Copy of “active” state business registration from Florida Division of Corporations
   
   1. Search by “Entity Name” here (use full legal business name), select listing with “Active” Status, and attach most recent filing as a screenshot. Failure to provide the screenshot will not result in rejection of the application but may delay a decision on the application.
      
      1. If not required to register with Florida Division of Corporations, attach documentation showing the business meets all regulatory requirements from Pinellas County or the State of Florida.
2. Business Financials
   
   1. Sole Proprietors, Independent Contractors, and Individual LLCs
      1. 2020 Schedule C (Form 1040)
         
         1. If a 2020 Schedule C is unavailable, the following alternative documents may be accepted:
            1. Profit and Loss Statement and;
            2. Receipt from IRS of Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual income Tax Return (Form 4868)
      2. 2020 Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1090)
   2. C-Corps, S-Corps, corporate Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs)
      1. 2020 Corporation Income Tax Return (Form 1120 or 1120S) [1^st page of document is sufficient]
         
         1. If a 2020 Corporation Income Tax Return is unavailable, the following alternative documents may be accepted:
            1. 2020 Profit and Loss Statement and;
            2. Receipt from IRS of Extension of Time to File Business Income Tax (Form 7004)
   3. Partnerships
      1. 2020 Return of Partnership Income (Form 1065) [1^st page of document is sufficient]
         
         1. If a 2020 Return of Partnership Income (Form 1065) is unavailable, the following alternative documents may be accepted:
            1. 2020 Profit and Loss Statement and;
            2. Receipt from IRS of Extension of Time to File Business Income Tax (Form 7004)
   4. Non-profit organizations (501c3 only)
      1. 2020 Return of Organization Free from Income Tax (Form 990) [1^st page of document is sufficient]
         
         1. If a 2020 Return of Organization Free from Income Tax (Form 990) is unavailable, the following alternative documents may be accepted:
            1. 2020 Profit and Loss Statement and;
            2. Receipt from IRS of Extension of Time to File Exempt Organization Return (Form 8868)
3. Proof of industry impact  
   
   1. Artist and Performers
      
      1. 2019 Financial Statement
         1. compared to 2020 statement, must demonstrate minimum $2,500 loss or greater, OR
            
            1. Documentation of 2-3 past performances or exhibits between January 1, 2019 through March 17, 2020.
            2. Examples of acceptable documentation include brochures or programs featuring the artist or performer, news articles, marketing, publicity reviews, agreements, contracts from a registered commercial venue or entity
         2. Contact information for the performance venue, museum, publisher, or producer in which the performance took place or art form was exhibited
   2. Cultural Venue
      
      1. 2019 Financial Statement
         1. Compared to 2020 statement, must demonstrate loss which, when combined with amounts for investment in pandemic mitigation, equals at least$15,000, AND/OR
            
            1. Proof of consecutive exhibits, performances or similar held prior to March 17, 2020 – Minimum of two required
               
               • Uploads of brochures, programs, news articles, promotional materials, event links, etc. for completed events, exhibits or performances. When possible, it is preferred that any materials are as close to the original as possible (no copies of copies of copies).
            2. Exhibits, performances or similar held after March 17, 2020 that were cancelled or significantly reduced in size due to the COVID-19 Pandemic;
               
               • Vendor agreements/contracts; communications with performers or attendees regarding cancellation or reduced attendance due to state or local orders; etc.
      2. Eligible use of funds:
         
         1. Supporting documents of eligible uses
            
            1. (Conditional if retroactive expense) Receipts, paid invoices, financial documents demonstrating requested eligible uses.
            2. (Conditional if future expense) Quotes, detailed summary, contracts, etc.
      3. List of upcoming schedules
   3. Brick & Mortar
      
      1. 2019 Financial Statement
         1. Compared to 2020 statement, must demonstrate loss which, when combined with amounts for investment in pandemic mitigation, equals at least $10,000, AND/OR
      2. Eligible uses of funds as identified in Section V of the Program Guidelines:
         
         1. Supporting documents of eligible uses
            
            1. (Conditional if retroactive expense) Receipts, paid invoices, financial documents demonstrating requested eligible uses.
            2. (Conditional if future expense) Quotes, detailed summary, contracts, etc.

4. An updated and active business tax certificate from the City of St. Petersburg is required to receive funding through the Resilience and Retention Fund program. If approved, this certificate must be active. If you need to file for or renew your certificate, please visit stpete.org/businesstax. The City will hold your application for 10 business days until the receipt is secured and verified by City Staff.
   
   1. If your business is not required to have a business tax certificate, attach a copy of your occupational license from Pinellas County.
   2. If your business is exempt from the business tax certificate requirement, attach a copy of your verified Exemption Letter from our Business Tax Division as your application will not be considered without proof of exemption.

5. Copy of applicant’s License or state issued ID (applicant must be business owner or legal representative listed on Sunbiz entiy, if applicable)
   1. Homebased businesses, Individuals or Independent Artists & Performers– Driver’s license or state issued ID must reflect residency status within the St. Petersburg municipal boundaries on or before March 17, 2020 and within thirty days prior to date of application.
      1. Utility statements will be accepted to confirm residency status. Please upload a statement from: 1) your most recent billing period and 2) a billing cycle on or before March 17, 2020.

6. Attach Quarterly Wage & Withholding Reports (Form 941) for 1st or 2nd Quarter 2021, redacted payroll documents, or other payroll information showing total number of employees and salaries.
7. Artist resumes or CVs detailing your experience in the industry (Artists & Performers only)
8. Three industry references with contact information and short description of relationship in the creative and performance arts community (Artists & Performers only)
9. Copy of most recent St. Petersburg Utility Bill statement (Venue or Brick & Morar only to confirm primary occupany status)
   1. If applicant does not pay Utility Bill, provide Certification of Liability Insurance (COI) – Accord form – or other acceptable form showing current General Liability Insurance Policy (business only)
10. Copy of current Commercial Lease Agreement (only for an eligible business leasing shared space or commissary kitchen including food trucks)

Staff will review complete applications in the order they are received. A “complete application” is one that includes all required information, answers to all questions posed, and all required attachments.  Incomplete or facially deficient applications will not be reviewed in the order they are received. The applicant will be notified and asked to make necessary corrections by providing missing information or attaching requested documentation in the application portal.   The applicant will have 10 business days from the date of notification to provide missing information or requested documentation to correct an incomplete application or it will be rejected.  Award will be contingent on availability of funds at the time of the review of a corrected application. A President/CEO, Managing Member, Business Owner, or the independent contractor/individual applicant must complete and submit the application. Note: submitting alternative documents will delay the review of your application. If additional clarification is requested by the reviewer, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed in the order it was received.

• Program Details and Technical Support Launch 8/4/2021
• Application Launch – 8/18/2021, 8 AM
• Application Close – 10/29/21, 5 PM

INTRODUCTION

PROGRAM FUNDS, ELIGIBILITY, AND APPLICATION SUBMISSION

ELIGIBLE USES OF FUNDS 

INELIGIBLE USES OF FUNDS

5) Full employee listing at business location(s) where funds will be utilized for eligible uses (as of the date of this application) 

1. Attach Quarterly Wage & Withholding Reports (Form 941) for 1st Quarter 2021, redacted payroll documents, or other payroll information such is 2020 W-3 form or 1099-NEC showing total number of employees or independent contractors for the specified business location(s). If subleasing spaces to independent businesses or subcontractors, attach agreements.
    

8) IF APPLICABLE: Copy of current Commercial Lease Agreement (conditional for a business leasing shared space or commissary kitchen including food trucks)