Happy Anniversary to the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, celebrating it’s 20th year as a vital part of Delray Beach’s cultural landscape.
The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is proud to have the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum as an A-G.U.I.D.E (Achieving Goals Using Impact Driven Evaluation) Grant Program recipient. This Program is a community development tool that provides funding assistance to select “Nonprofit Partners” whose programs and services further advance the CRA mission.
“The Spady Museum is the only professional cultural museum dedicated to preserving and highlighting the history of black settlement in Palm Beach County. With funding support from the CRA, Spady provides events, exhibits, lectures, archive services, youth engagement, and more to the community. The organization attracts hundreds of visitors both locally and from outside of the County,” said Alexina Jeannite, CRA community engagement director. “By supporting arts, cultural, and historical programming, the Delray CRA is helping contribute to the long-term vitality and sustainability of the community. Some of the goals and long-term impacts that the A-G.U.I.D.E. Nonprofit Grant Program achieves include: the stabilization of neighborhoods, improved quality of life, revenue generation, and increased economic development. Accomplishing these goals is no small feat and the Delray CRA recognizes that this work cannot be done alone.”
According to the Spady Museum team, the Grant Program means that the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is a valued, important part of the cultural, historical and recreational assets of South Florida and Delray Beach. They welcome everyone to learn more about what they do and what they offer. The Spady Museum is a place of growth, vision, curiosity, education, arts, music, community and wonderment.
Historically, the CRA has provided funding to seven A-G.U.I.D.E. Nonprofit Partners, one of which is the Spady Museum (also known as Expanding and Preserving Our Cultural Heritage, Inc. – EPOCH). The Spady Museum, along with the other Nonprofit Partners located on CRA or City-owned property, have received City funding or other assistance, and are identified in the CRA Plan as a program or project that addresses the needs of the CRA district. Our A-G.U.I.D.E. Nonprofit Partners’ collective impact helps to enhance the quality of life and boost Delray Beach as a popular destination for residents, business owners, and visitors.
In fiscal year 2020-2021, a total of $1,918,615 was awarded in A-G.U.I.D.E. funding.
A-G.U.I.D.E. Nonprofit Partners apply annually for funding. Their applications are reviewed by a committee of reviewers who score the applications according to six categories:
- Organization Capacity
- Need for Project/Program
- Project/Program Description
- Logic Model
- Evaluation Plan
- Budget & Sustainability
Each Nonprofit Partner’s request for funding is presented before the CRA Board of Commissioners, who then vote on the funding recommendations. Funding is allocated on an annual cycle with fiscal year dates of October 1 – September 30.
According to Jeannite, what makes the program unique and innovative is its focus on collective impact through a public-private partnership model. To achieve the greatest results, the program enables the CRA to focus on building up the CRA District’s physical infrastructure, while through the A-G.U.I.D.E. Grant Program, the CRA invests in nonprofit organizations that are on the frontlines of delivering programs that service residents, visitors, and business community.
The A-G.U.I.D.E. Grant Program presents an opportunity to more effectively address some of the Overall Needs identified in the CRA Redevelopment Plan, with a particular focus on: Affordable Housing, Recreation and Cultural Facilities, and Economic/Business Development. Funding covers a range of activities, from enriching community and public involvement through arts, culture, and historical programming; promoting sustained economic development by strengthening businesses; to increasing access to public resources and affordable housing.
The CRA is proud to be one of the reasons why Delray Beach’s historically significant and valued nonprofit organizations are able to thrive and keep Delray Beach’s unique history alive.
Learn more at www.spadymuseum.com
