Transmission Project

The following questions are commonly asked of us. If you have additional questions or need assistance in completing your application please contact us at info@transmissionproject.org.

Where does a qualifying organization have to be located?

The Transmission Project partners with organizations anywhere in the U.S. (or its territories).

Does my organization have to work in or serve a specific geographic area, constituent or client?

We define community broadly. There are communities of interest, of place, of action, or of circumstance.

Will we receive funds if our application is accepted?

The Transmission Project does not provide direct funding to your organization. With the placement of a Digital Art Service Corps member, we pay a living stipend plus some other expenses directly to the member. The approximate in-kind value to your organization is $20,000

How should my organization come up with a capacity building project?

Many organizations have strategic plans containing numerous projects that will build their capacity. Or you may need to begin with an assessment of needs or community mapping. Take a moment to read this excerpt from Building Capacity in Nonprofit Organizations by the Urban Institute about capacity building to get a bigger picture of projects we are interested in supporting.

We’ve previously applied in the past. Do we need to re-register our organization to apply?

Yes, you should create a new account for your organization. We’ve moved to a new online application system that should help streamline the application process.

What other costs exist beyond the $4,000 financial contribution?

The $4,000 is paid to the Transmission Project. We take care of all other direct payments to the Digital Arts Service Corps member for their living stipend which varies from place to place but is no less than 95% of the poverty line of the county (though not significantly more). Additional benefits, insurance and professional development is provided by the Transmission Project and AmeriCorps*VISTA.

We do ask partner organizations to assist their Corps member with other indirect living expenses, such as a monthly transit pass or rent assistance (paid directly to a landlord). Contributions like these vary depending on the cost of living in any community.

If you reimburse other work expenses for employees of your organization (mileage, etc.), we would expect that same benefit for your Corps member if similar expenses were incurred.

Digital Arts Service Corps members receive a living allowance at or near the poverty line. Our goal is to work with our partner organizations to help our Corps members live in a way that enables them to do the best work they can.

Will you work with us on a payment plan?

Of course.

Can we partner with another organization on our project?

Yes, it is encouraged.

How many goals or activities should we have in our Assignment Description?

We are not so concerned about the number of goals or activities listed, but how appropriate and realistic the overall assignment is. Aim for quality and measurability rather than quantity in your outcomes and consider how long it will take someone to understand your organization and work when creating your timeline.

What should we focus on in our application?

The Transmission Project supports capacity building projects that improve the health of an organization by increasing the organization’s access to resources, efficiency or effectiveness. The focus of your application should be upon organizational needs and how you will address them through the project, rather than the needs of clients or community. In evaluating applications, we heavily weight well-planned and clearly-articulated projects. This does not necessitate that you must have all the answers and only await their implementation, but rather that you be clear what questions still remain and how a Digital Arts Service Corps member would help you answer them.

How is a Capacity Building Grant different from a Program Grant?

Capacity Building Grants support organizational development, while Program Grants typically support community development. Capacity Building Grants are made in response to organizational deficiencies or opportunities in mission, leadership, resources, outreach or services.

• Program Grants are written looking outwards: “My organization is best placed to meet this community need.”
• Capacity Building Grants look inwards: “My organization could improve its placement.”