What is the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund Program?

Senate Bill 1116 (Portantino) (Government Code 8757) established the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (Program) to support small nonprofit performing arts organizations (SNPAOs) with adjusted gross revenue* under $2 million, in hiring and retaining employees. The Fund reimburses a portion of their payroll costs on a quarterly basis, using a tiered reimbursement schedule where the smallest organizations receive the highest percentage of reimbursement. *(excluding donor designated funds for capital expenditures or pass-through funds)

To qualify the performing arts organization’s primary mission must be the creation of or presentation of performing arts, in productions that are advertised and open to the public.

Example of SNPAOs can include:

• Nonprofit theater companies
• Nonprofit dance companies
• Nonprofit choral groups
• Nonprofit presenting organizations
• Nonprofit performance venues
• Local arts councils (that present or produce performances)

In addition to 501(c)3 nonprofit performing arts organizations, fiscally sponsored organizations are also eligible to apply, but only those operating under a Model C agreement. Model C fiscal sponsorship is where the fiscally sponsored organization is a separate legal entity and for this program cannot be an individual artist.

Certain types of organizations are not eligible:
(1) After school programs for youth.

 (2) 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organizations that raise money for a single arts organization.

 (3) Conservatory programs.

 (4)   Foundations.

 (5)   Individual artists who are fiscally sponsored.

(6)   Model A, Model B, Model D, Model F, or Model L fiscally sponsored organizations or projects.

 (7)   Social clubs.

 (8)   Summer camps.

 (9)   Youth educational programs or schools.

(10)   Youth performing arts groups, including, but not limited to, youth symphonies, youth choirs, and youth theater groups.

• Applications will be reviewed on a first-come-first-serve basis. The eligibility is determined by the submission of a series of documents and pieces of information. There is no narrative element to the process.
• Application portal opening date, webinar schedule and office hours will be announced soon.
• Complete the interest form below and we will make sure you are alerted when additional details are announced.
• Follow CA for the Arts social media, and subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any details.

What can you do now to begin preparing?

There are a series of organization documents you will need to submit with your application. Complete details on these documents will be coming soon, but in the meantime you can begin collecting the following:

1. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determination letter recognizing the organization as tax-exempt. 
2. The Articles of Incorporation, including any amendments.
3. A certified Business Entity Certificate of Status, showing an Active status for the organization from the California Secretary of State.  
4. The organization’s Mission Statement
5. Current Board list

In addition you will need to provide a second series of documents that will help establish that your organization produces or presents live performing arts events that are open to the public.  For this requirement you will have the option to select 3 different document types, from the list below, and then provide 3 examples of that type of document.

List of Document Types:

1. A box office report.
2. Evidence of paid advertisements
3. Social media posts and internet website listings advertising the production
4. Eblasts advertising the production
5. Reviews of the production
6. A copy of the playbill for the production

For example, you might submit:

Box office reports from Production A, Production B and Production C  

Reviews from Production B, Production G and Production H

Playbills from Production A, Production C, and Production G

If you have any questions please contact Teri Ball, Programs Manager, at Teri@caforthearts.org. 

The program will be administered by CalOSBA in partnership with CA for the Arts.