Tribal Cultural Council Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

How do we find our Tribal Cultural Council?
Learn about each TCC by visiting the Find Your TCC page and selecting from the list. FY26 contact information and local guidelines/priorities are available for each TCC beginning September 2, 2025.

When is the application deadline?
October 16, 2025 at 11:59pm (ET).

What is in the application, and is it the same for all Tribal Cultural Councils?
Download a sample application form (PDF). While all Tribal Cultural Councils do use the same application, some TCCs require supplemental materials as a part of their local guidelines and priorities. Check each TCC’s Council Profile before applying, to make sure you submit a complete application.

How do I access the online application?
If you are a TCC applicant and have not applied to any other Mass Cultural Council programs, or are applying for a TCC grant for the first time, you do not have a record in the new system. Click “Register” to create a new user account/password and then select a profile type (individual or organization) to register.

• Register as an Individual if you are applying for a grant for yourself or a project you are leading. In this case you will be considered the applicant and grantee.
• Register as an Organization if you are applying for a grant on behalf of an organization, school, town, or other group. In this case the organization is the applicant and grant recipient and you are the primary contact for the application.​

Start typing your organization’s name, select your organization from the list, and then complete your contact information. If your organization is not listed, follow the directions to add your organization information and your contact information to register your organization manually.

Applicants who have previously applied for TCC grants AND other Mass Cultural Council grants are likely to have a record in the new grants management system.

To see if you already have a record, go to the grants management system and click “Forgot password?” Enter your email address. If the email you entered matches the one in our system, you will be sent an email from “masscultural_noreply@smartsimple.com” with instructions for resetting your password.

I do not have an internet connection at home, or prefer to handwrite my application. Can I mail a paper application?
TCCs cannot be able to accept paper applications. Please contact your TCC if you are not able to use or access the online application.

My organization operates under a DBA. Do I submit my application under the legal name or DBA?
Login to your account and click on the Organization Profile section. There is a specific DBA field for organizations that use one. If you’re unable to edit this field, contact our grants team.

Applicant & Project Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply for a TCC grant?
Applicants must reside or be located in Massachusetts. Tribal Cultural Councils may accept applications from anyone included in the list below:

• Individuals. Individual applicants must show that a public benefit results from the project for which they are applying.
• Incorporated private nonprofit organizations.
• Unincorporated associations that can establish a nonprofit objective.
• For-profit organizations whose application demonstrates public benefit.
• A group of individuals coming together with a common purpose (e.g., local community band, theater group) that do not have nonprofit status.
• Public schools, libraries, other municipal agencies, and the Tribal Cultural Council itself.
• Religious organizations. Religious organizations or groups with a religious affiliation are eligible to apply for funding for a project or program that:
  • Is available to the general public.
  • Has the purpose of benefiting the public, not the religious organization.

TCCs cannot fund activities that are “inherently religious” such as religious worship, instruction, and proselytization.

Do TCCs fund operating support? What are some examples of what operating support could look like for organizations?
TCCs can fund operating support. Examples of operating support include:

• Theaters can apply for funds to maintain a clean, socially distanced environment for programming.
• Art Education Centers or Public Schools may apply for funds to invest in education technology for their virtual programs.
• An organization may need to hire someone for fundraising.

What are some examples of what a virtual program could look like?
Watch a recording from a Mass Cultural Council webinar that talks about virtual programming.

If we are planning to bring our project to a virtual medium, what are some resources we could look at?
Check out these resources from Mass Cultural Council:

• Reimagining public programs webinar
• Festivals Toolkit
• Inclusive virtual programming conversation

What are some examples of what virtual galleries/opportunities for artists could look like?

• Artists Association of Nantucket
• Mass. Open Studios Fall 2020
• Mass Cultural Council’s Gallery for Artist Fellowship Grantees
• Carlisle Cultural Council’s Virtual Gallery

Can I apply to more than one TCC?
Yes, you are welcome to apply to several Tribal Cultural Councils if you think your project may benefit more than one community. You will need to start a new application for each TCC. Remember to read each TCC’s Council Profile before applying.

Can I apply for a TCC grant if I’ve already received one directly from Mass Cultural Council?
Yes.

Is there a minimum age requirement for individual applicants?
You can contact the TCC directly. Depending on the city/town, there might be age restrictions because the age to sign a contract is usually 18.

We are located in one town, but our event is in another, where should we apply?
Check each TCC’s Council Profile for any local priorities and guidelines. Some TCCs grant only to projects happening in their town.

Can you apply for two different projects?
Check the TCC’s Council Profile. Some might restrict multiple applications from the same person/organization.

My organization does not have 501c3 status. Do I need a fiscal agent to receive a TCC grant?
Fiscal agents are not required for TCC grants. If your organization is applying for a TCC grant, fiscal agent information is not collected upon registration in the grants management system or in the TCC application form.

If an applicant is awarded a grant, they will either fill out a grant agreement form (like this sample form for direct LCC grants) or a reimbursement form (like this sample form for reimbursement-based LCC grantees). At that time, they will indicate who should receive the payment. It can go directly to the applicant or to any other third-party entity. In the case where an organization does have a fiscal agent, this would be the time when the fiscal agent’s information is collected so the payment may be directed to them.

Our physical space is not ADA-compliant. Does this disqualify us from applying?
No, it wouldn’t disqualify you. However, we recommend looking into other ways to make your project more accessible, such as providing ASL interpretation.

How do I know if my application has been successfully submitted?
Once you submit your application you will see a black-lettered “congratulations” on the first page of the application. You should also receive the submitted application as a PDF attached to a confirmation email sent by the grants management system.

Will I receive notice of whether my application has been accepted via postal mail or email?
Yes, applicants will receive an email letting them know the status of their application once the TCC makes their decisions. Most TCCs will make their decisions by early January.

Application Components & Review

How would one respond to the disability question when the project is dance-related?
Projects can be made more accessible through a myriad of way. We recommend checking out the NEA’s Accessibility Planning and Resource Guide for Cultural Administrators.

Can you recommend ASL interpreters for my event?
The Commonwealth offers resources for requesting interpreters.

The TCC to which I’m applying requires a letter from the venue or other additional support materials as part of the application process. How do I attach these materials?

As in the past, applicants must read the TCC’s Council Profile to determine if any additional support materials are required by that TCC. If a TCC requires support materials, such as an artist resume, a flyer for the project, or a support letter, the applicant must upload those materials as a PDF as part of the online application. These materials will be collated with the application and included in the panel book that is reviewed by the TCC. Please note that these PDFs are limited to three pages.

Can partner organizations be from out of Massachusetts?
Partner organizations may, but the lead organization applying and receiving the funds must reside or be based in Massachusetts.

Is there a public meeting where the TCCs review and make their decisions?
Yes. TCCs must abide by the Open Meeting Law. Dates/times must be posted on when they host their meetings. This can usually be found on the city/town’s website.

Is there oversight of TCCs? Are TCC decisions reviewed by Mass Cultural Council?
Yes, there is oversight; however, grant decisions are at the discretion of each TCC. Once decisions are made, TCCs complete a Grant Decisions report informing Mass Cultural Council of who was funded, for what project, and at what amount.

If a TCC has members affiliated with organizations that are applying for funding, must those members recuse themselves?
Yes. There are guidelines for TCC members to recuse themselves, which can include completing Disclosure and Exemption Forms with their municipality and abstaining from voting on the application to which they are affiliated.

Post-Award

How do we check in about the status of a grant?

Please contact your Tribal Cultural Council directly.

When do we find out if we are a recipient?
Typically in mid-January.

How are funds distributed?
If an applicant is awarded a grant from a Direct Granting TCC, they are paid once they complete the grant agreement package (forms sent by the TCC), and the TCC sends these documents to their Tribal Government to process the payment.

If an applicant is awarded a grant from a Reimbursement-based TCC, grantees must first spend the money to then be reimbursed (using a reimbursement form like this sample) from TCC funds. TCCs specify the documentation needed for reimbursement within the approval letter they send to grantees. Grantees have one year from their award notification date to request reimbursement unless the TCC approves an extension.

Can TCC funds be used to purchase food?
The only restriction on our end is alcohol. Check with your TCC to see if they have any other restrictions on how funds can be spent.

Can TCC funds be used to support scholarships?
Yes.

Can TCC funds be used to support ticketed events and programs?
Yes. Mass Cultural Council encourages TCCs to consider the evolving cultural landscape, including rising costs of living and production. TCC funds may support ticketed events, festivals, fundraisers, and other programs, as long as they serve a public benefit and contribute to the cultural vitality of the community.

Are grants awarded to projects that occur before grant announcements are made?
Yes — these are considered reimbursement grants. Projects can occur within an 18-month window (say July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026). Please check with the TCC to see if their guidelines include a narrower timeframe.

We are an unincorporated group. Do we need to have a group bank account to receive funds?
Not necessarily. Some municipalities can issue checks.

After a program is completed, does the grantee need to complete and submit any paperwork to prove that they ran the program?
Yes, there will be a very brief final report due to TCCs. Please check with the TCC that funded your program to see if there are any unique or additional requirements.

I have another question that isn’t answered here.
If you have a technical issue or a question about the online application, please contact our grants management system help desk.

If your question doesn’t involve the application itself, please contact the TCC directly.

Questions about the TCC Program in general or application requirements for TCCs? Contact us.