Click here to download the Grant Application in pdf format.

Mission: The purpose of the NSAC Special Programming Grants is to promote excellence in community programming, including substantive content, creative production values and techniques, and technical quality, and to encourage the production and distribution of local programs of general interest to subscribers of the North Suburban cable service territory.

Eligibility: Any resident of, or non-profit organization within, the ten member cities, including the member cities and school districts in the North Suburban cable service territory, is eligible for a grant. Residents requesting a grant must be 18 years of age or older.

Use of Funds: Grant funds are intended to be used only for expenses associated with the production of a program to be cablecast on Channels 15 and 16. They may not be used for an individual’s or organization’s personal gain. Allowable expenses may include:

1. Supplies and materials, such as costumes, videotape, props, and plants, set furniture, etc.

2. Fees, such as copyright and licensing fees.

3. Cost of materials to promote the program.

4. Rental of equipment which is not available at CTV North Suburbs. Equipment that is available from CTV North Suburbs, is not a permissible expense.

5. Hiring a producer/director, editor and/or other production crew, as long as they are not the applicant for the grant or related to the applicant for the grant.

Expenses which are considered exceptional and which will require special explanation as to need include:

o Special effects
o Location expenses
o Professional talent fees
o Travel expenses.

Supplemental Funding: Producers may solicit additional funding or apply for other grants. If production of the program is dependent on receipt of additional funds, however, no portion of the NSAC grant will be disbursed until the producer submits proof that the additional funds have been approved.

Application: All grant applications must be typed on the NSAC Grant Application Form. Handwritten proposals will not be accepted. Applications must include the following information –

1. A detailed description of the program. Explain what you want to convey and how you want to convey it. Indicate whether the program will be live or taped. Describe the intended audience(s) and how the program will benefit them. Also describe how the program will benefit viewers in the NSAC viewing area.

2. A list of crew members if CTV North Suburbs equipment will be used in the production. All crew using CTV equipment must be certified before production begins.

3. A detailed production schedule that accounts for pre-production planning and post-production editing, as well as for the production itself. Programs must be completed within one year of receiving the grant, although exceptions may be granted for special circumstances.

4. A budget that details how the grant will be used. Show any supplemental resources that will be used to fund the project.

5. Applicants may request assistance from CTV staff for items 2-4.

Selection Process:

1. NSAC will initiate grant campaigns at their discretion once per year. A review committee appointed by the Cable Commission will evaluate all of the proposals and make recommendations to the Cable Commission.

2. Priority will be given to proposals for a program that addresses the needs and interests of the cable subscribers in the North Suburban cable service territory. In addition, the committee will consider the likelihood of completion, the necessity or appropriateness of the proposed budget, and such other criteria as the committee deems relevant.

3. Grants will be awarded only for single programs, not for a series, although the program may serve as a prototype for a series. Producers may use any format that is suitable to the information to be conveyed.

4. The review may include a consultation with the individuals submitting proposals, and the committee may require modifications to the proposal. At any time, the the Cable Commission reserves the right to accept, reject or modify any grant application at its sole discretion. The decision of the Cable Commission is final.

5. All budgeted funds may not be awarded during the grant application process.

6. The NSAC reserves the right to partially fund any grant application.

Grant Administration:

1. Once the grant is awarded, a payment schedule based on the applicant’s needs and the length of the production process will be developed. There will generally be three grant payments – one at the beginning of the project, one in the middle and one at the end after the program has been completed and submitted for cablecast.

2. All payments will be made to the individual or organization on a reimbursement basis. Expenditures for which a valid receipt is not submitted will not be reimbursed. The individual/organization awarded the grant will be responsible for paying any production crew members hired for the project.

If justified expenses are less than the grant monies awarded, the excess must be returned to NSAC.

3. Production on the program must be started within six months of the grant award and must be completed within one year or the grant may be cancelled. Exceptions may be allowed for extenuating circumstances, provided that a request for an extension must be received in writing prior to the expiration of these deadlines.

4. All CTV North Suburbs policies and procedures apply to the production.

5. Grant monies may not be used to purchase equipment; however, the rental of equipment not available through CTV North Suburbs may be allowed.

6. The grant recipient shall acknowledge NSAC for its contribution to the production of the program by displaying in the credits the following message:

“This production was funded [in part] by a grant from the North Suburban Cable Commission.”

7. Upon completion of the program, the grant recipient must provide NSAC with one final edited Master Tape(s) for unlimited cablecasting on Channel 15 and 16 at NSAC’s, CTV North Suburbs’ and the cities’ discretion. Unless otherwise agreed upon, all videotape, unconsumed supplies and any props or sets purchased with grant monies become the property of NSAC/CTV North Suburbs.

8. In accordance with CTV North Suburbs policies and procedures, the grant recipient retains ownership of the completed program and is entitled to one free dub of the program. If the producer wishes to provide dubs, either free or at cost, for additional members of the grantee organization or for participants in the program, a request for those arrangements must be submitted in writing and approved in advance by the Programming Grants Committee.

9. If the program, any portion thereof, or any working tapes are sold for a profit, the producer is responsible for reimbursing NSAC for the grant and CTV North Suburbs for production costs. Production costs will be based on commercial rates.