Six years ago, Manitou Springs voters approved an innovative new way to help fund many of the city’s cultural activities.
From its inception, the Manitou Arts, Culture and Heritage Tax quickly became a local success story, funneling more than $2 million to local projects and programs through 2025. Over the past three years, MACH has produced more than $300,000 annually for its designated Tier 1 entities – Manitou Springs Library, Hiawatha Gardens projects, Manitou Art Center, Miramont Castle and Manitou Springs Heritage Museum.
In addition, more than $150,000 each year has funded Tier 2 competitive grants supporting smaller projects to benefit the city and its residents.
The next grant cycle is coming up, with Tier 2 applications via MACH’s website accepted through Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Revised guidelines, frequently asked questions and timeline will be posted on the city’s MACH page (bit.ly/487UViY-MACH).
Here’s a bullet point list of MACH changes for 2026 and key points for applicants to know:
- Calendar timing. Last year, MACH funded requests through the first quarter of 2026. That means this year’s funding covers April 2026 through March 2027. Do not submit requests for any projects or events taking place before April 1, 2026.
- Reasonable requests are encouraged. MACH has no limit on application amounts, but most approved grants fall somewhere between $1,000 and $6,000.
- If you have applied for grants in the past, access the MACH application website with the same login and password. If you’re a first-time applicant, go to bit.ly/MACHGrants and set up your account. You can save your work at any point, return to the website later (multiple times if needed) and continue until you’re ready to submit the application. MACH board members will not be able to see your application until it has been finished and submitted.
- Completion reports. If you were funded for 2025, put as much effort and detail as possible into your project completion report – for two reasons. First, it must be approved by the MACH board before you can submit a new grant request for 2026-2027. Second, the thoroughness of your project completion report could influence how much you might be awarded for the upcoming cycle.
- If your request is for more than $750, the MACH board needs to see a detailed budget for your planned project. This should include income (sponsorships, donations, merchandise sales, admission fees, anticipated MACH funds, and all other grants or sponsorships including other anticipated funding, etc.) and expenses (venue, promotion, materials and supplies, staff wages, etc.). Please include a breakdown of the expected per item/unit cost. An itemization will be required later when submitting your project completion report.
- Please confirm that you have obtained permission to use your desired venue, as well as any important partnerships, prior to submitting your application. It is important to secure your venue as early as possible. Include in your application your confirmed or anticipated venue and the status if not confirmed.
- Once again, the MACH board will provide mentoring and advice for applicants to be handled by Audrey Gray, executive director of Creative Alliance Manitou Springs (CRANE). She will be available starting Nov. 15 by calling 719-315-5538 or emailing d[email protected].
- Send questions to [email protected].
Ralph Routon is chair of the Manitou Arts, Culture and Heritage Board. He may be reached at r[email protected].
MACH 2026: Dates to remember
- Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025: Deadline for 2025 Tier 2 grantees to submit Completion Reports for projects completed in 2025.
- Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026: Applications close for Tier 2 grants. Board review begins.
- Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026: Tier 1 entities present to MACH board, 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 29. 2026: MACH board meets to hear invited Tier 2 applicants if needed, 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026: Review and decide mini-grants. Begin reviewing Tier 2 regular grants, 5 p.m.
- Tuesday. Feb. 10, 2026: Tax revenue totals, MACH available funding amounts released.
- Thursday, Feb. 12 and perhaps Feb. 19, 2026: MACH board finalizes Tier 2 decisions and determines recommendations for City Council.
- Tuesday, March 10, 2026: MACH presents recommendations to City Council work session.
- Tuesday, March 17, 2026: City Council considers and votes on MACH grant recommendations.
- Starting March 20, 2026: Emails go out to MACH grant awardees, requesting W-9 forms. As W-9s are submitted, grant checks will be processed.
