Let’s start with a history lesson.
Five years ago, Manitou Springs voters made one of their smartest decisions – though nobody knew the final outcome until later.
It’s the best example that every vote truly does matter. In the same 2019 election that gave us Mayor John Graham and three new at-large City Councilors, all still serving, Manitou voters initially thought they had narrowly defeated Issue 2D creating the Manitou Arts, Culture and Heritage tax.
But after all ballots were counted, 2D passed by just five votes, 1,035 to 1,030. An automatic recount confirmed that, but several outgoing councilors refused to enact the required city ordinance to ratify the vote.
Finally, in February 2020, Graham and the “new” Council went along with the voters’ wishes – just before the COVID pandemic that could have altered everything if it had struck sooner.
Instead, the ensuing years have provided a case study in how one little idea can make a huge difference for a small community.
Our MACH tax, a small chunk (3-10ths of a cent per dollar spent) of the local sales tax, had been projected to produce about $400,000 a year. Instead, the healthy Manitou economy has generated about $600,000 annually, totaling more than $2 million in grants for projects, programs, events and nonprofits.
Each year, as set up at the start, two-thirds of the MACH revenue is divided in varying portions among five Tier 1 entities: Carnegie Library renovation, Hiawatha Gardens project, Miramont Castle, Manitou Art Center and Manitou Springs Heritage Center.
The rest of the tax money goes to what are called Tier 2 competitive grants, recommended by the Council-appointed MACH advisory board. As the current MACH board chair, I can tell you it’s a superb collection of residents providing all kinds of needed expertise – not just in local awareness and the obvious MACH areas, but also in grant analysis, technology, finance, business and nonprofit operations.
Each year, the MACH board evaluates about 50-60 applications from the community for those Tier 2 funds, which add up to about $150,000 to $160,000 annually.
That brings us to my purpose here. We’re ready to launch the 2025 grant process, which means applicants can start submitting grant requests. One big difference this time is that the grants cover 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, or 15 months in all. (Starting next year, the MACH grant calendar will go April through March.)
Here are some key points to help applicants:
If you’re interested in applying, go to the MACH website, create a log-in and click on “start an application.” You have until Jan. 9, 2025, to submit your application, with grants to be awarded in March. This shortened URL, tinyurl.com/ys5h5pmj, takes you to the city’s MACH page with multiple links, including the application page and other details.
If you received a MACH grant in 2024, remember that you must file your project completion report to be eligible again in 2025. A form for that completion report is on the MACH website in the same file as your 2024 application. Also, as previously publicized, the report must include an itemized list of expenses.
As in past years, applicants for $750 or less will be classified as mini-grants with a simpler application and budget requirements. Grant requests for more than $750 must include a budget showing sources of planned revenue and expenses.
Guidance for applicants is available from Audrey Gray, executive director of Creative Alliance Manitou Springs. Watch for info to set up appointments with her during set times in November and December, and some drop-in office hours will be offered at CRANE’s office in the Chamber building, 354 Manitou Ave.
If planning an event, you must confirm permission to use your location with a letter from the venue. If working with the City of Manitou, contact Events Coordinator Meghan Weiss at 719-685-2601.
The more time and effort you put into preparation and understanding the process, the better your odds will be in turning your grant request into reality – and adding your own chapter to Manitou’s MACH history.
Ralph Routon, retired former executive editor of the Pikes Peak Bulletin, serves as chair of the Manitou Arts, Culture and Heritage Board.
