Overview
The Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF) was established by the Connecticut General Assembly to stimulate the development of private sector funding and to ensure the long-term stability of Connecticut’s arts industry by providing funding to organizations. The Fund is managed by the Office of the State Treasurer and the program is administered by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA).
Interest earned on the Fund's principal is distributed annually to arts organizations that qualify by raising more than $15,000 in donor contributions* for two (2) consecutive fiscal years. *Donor contributions are from a non-governmental source such as a private-sector organization, foundation, corporation, partnership, single proprietorship, association or an individual person making a contribution to an arts organization.
CAEF grants provide general operating support that organizations may use toward programming, administrative or operational costs, capital projects, equipment, or to build their own endowments.
Funding Formula
Applicants do not specify a grant request amount. Grant awards are calculated solely on the following formula:
Year 1 "Prior Fiscal Year": For the portion of donor contributions which is equal to $15,000 or more but does not exceed the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of 25% of such amount, capped at $250,000.
Year 2 "Most Recent Fiscal Year": For the portion of the total donor contributions that exceeds the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of 100%, capped at $1 million.
If the total amount of grants to be paid exceeds the investment earnings of the Arts Endowment Fund, all grants shall be reduced on a pro rata basis.