Application Form
Guidelines and Rules
Please use this information to help answer questions and/or concerns you might have about the grant or the grant process. Carefully read each section and understand your obligation in this grant process. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of the advisory board members or the County Manager and/or County Assistant to the Manager.
A completed application with required attachments must be submitted by the deadline of 5:00 pm (Mountain Time). If the application is missing any required documents, it will be disqualified, and the applicant/project will be deemed incomplete and unable to move forward in the process. Therefore, eliminating itself from the application pool for that year's grant funding.
Types of Grants Awarded
- Tier 1 Grant is less than or equal to $4,999- full amount will be given.
- Tier 2 Grant is $5,000 up to $150,000. Half the award money will be given at the beginning of the grant cycle. The remaining funds will be dispersed upon completion of the project/event/etc.
- Tier 3 projects or a Trail Grant is $150,000+. Half the award money will be given at the beginning of the grant cycle. The remaining funds will be dispersed upon completion of the project/trail/etc.
- 30% matching funds (*of the total cost of the project) is required, and 50% of that match can be used for in-kind donations but must be documented accurately.
- For example, if your project's total cost is $30,000, matching funds would need to equal $10,000. $5,000 of the matching funds could be in-kind, and the remaining $5,000 would be cash.
Other Details
- Projects must be completed in 1 (one) year.
- Trail projects must be completed within 2 (two) years of signing the contract.
- Answer all questions within the character limits that pertain to your project.
- Ensure all attachments are uploaded before submitting your application.
- Send any questions to: taptaxboard@wasatch.utah.gov
General Information
- We suggest writing your application answers in a word processor outside of the online application. This will allow you to proofread and edit answers more effectively. Using a word processor easily allows you to keep track of the character count in your response, as there are character limits for some questions. This will also help alleviate connection errors and lost work. Finally, remember to save your work as you fill out the application.
- All 501(c)(3) must provide a copy of their IRS status.
- Each grant recipient shall maintain accurate and complete financial records. If volunteer time is part of the grant, a log of volunteers and hours worked must be submitted with the final report. Use state estimates for volunteer costs for time.
- All grantee's work must comply with all federal, local, and state laws and rules that apply to said project.
- The grant recipient shall maintain an accurate and complete financial record. If volunteer time is part of the grant, a log document is provided to fill out with required information.
Timeline for Grant Applications
- The Spring 2024 Grant Application period opens on April 1, 2024
- The Spring 2024 Grant Application period closes on May 30, 2024
- Review by Advisory board and recommend projects to Council by June 19, 2024
- Award letters out by June 30, 2024
Evaluation Points
Wasatch County TAP Tax grants will be reviewed and evaluated based on the following points:
Arts
- Quality of the artists, arts organizations, arts education providers, works of art, or services that the project will involve, as appropriate.
- Artistic and/or cultural significance of the project
- Potential impact on local artists and the local arts scene
- The potential to celebrate Wasatch County’s creativity and cultural heritage, invite mutual respect for differing beliefs and values, or to enrich the community
- The ability to conduct the project based on factors including the appropriateness of the budget, the quality, and clarity of the project goals and design, the resources involved, and the qualifications of the project’s personnel
Parks
- The ability to conduct the project based on factors including the appropriateness of the budget, the quality, and clarity of the project goals and design, the resources involved, and the qualifications of the project’s personnel.
- The park must be open to the public and have ADA access. The planning department will review it to ensure that all safety protocols are in place.
Trails
- The ability to conduct the project based on factors including the appropriateness of the budget, the quality, and clarity of the project goals and design, the resources involved, and the qualifications of the project’s personnel.
- The trail must be free to the public and provide easy access to the trailhead.
Post Award
- A contract will be drawn up for the proper recipient to sign. The contract will include the amount awarded, the title of the project, the approved scope of work, and the timeline for the applicant's project. A fully executed contract must be signed before any work can begin.
- If the project cannot be completed within the required time in the contract, the grantee must submit in writing a request for a 6-month extension. Included are the grant manager, contract number, project status, and timeline update for the project to be complete. Please submit your extension two months prior to your expired contract date. If the amended is approved an electronic email signature will be required to execute the new final date.
- Approved projects are required to include the TAP logo and the Wasatch County TAP logo.
Final Report
Each organization must submit a final report detailing how it expended the funds it received pursuant to these policies and procedures by the end date of the contract. The purpose of the final report is to account for the distribution of grant funds. Fill out the final report document and include up to three pictures of the project or event.
Funding Restrictions
The state code governs tax funds and places limitations on their use. TAP tax funds granted to cultural organizations may not be used for capital construction expenses, payments into an endowment fund, expenditures for programs outside of Wasatch County, activities not available to the general public, political lobbying, fundraising expenses related to capital or endowment campaigns, or for other expenses not related to the organization’s primary cultural purpose or directly related to or for the direct benefit to the residents of Wasatch County.
TAP Tax grant funding for cultural organizations may not be used for the following expenditures:
- Accumulated deficits or debt retirement.
- Capital improvements.
- Public Schools and/or school programs or hiring of temporary or permanent staff in any school or school system.
- Lobbying Expenses.
- Scholarships, purchase awards, or cash prizes.
- Non-the arts, parks, or trails-related magazines or newspapers.
- Broadcasting network or cable communications systems.
- Performances, events, or activities that take place outside of Wasatch County.
- Fireworks.
- Cash reserves
Important Documents for Large Projects
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Any project breaking ground requires environmental clearance regardless of land ownership. For any trail project check with the city/county planning department on required studies or environmental review. National Environmental Policy Act | US EPA
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
The Utah State Historic Preservation Office provides advice and guidance to government agencies who undertake projects subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). SHPO consults on project purview to historic preservation laws to ensure federal and state projects done carelessly destroy cultural resources. Projects include construction, rehabilitation, demolition, licenses, and permits. https://ushpo.utah.gov/