HKADC Matching Fund Scheme 2016/17 Open for Application

Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) today announces the launch of Matching Fund Scheme (MFS) with an aim to help the local arts organisations achieve sustainable development and create a supportive environment for the arts and culture in the community. Closing date for entries will be 30 September 2016.

By allowing a low entry requirement, the MFS facilitates the small-and-medium sized arts organisations to take part in the Home Affairs Bureau’s Art Development Matching Grants Pilot Scheme (Pilot Scheme) where a dollar to a dollar matching is provided for commercial sponsorship and/or private donation raised. Eligible applicants shall pledge no less than $30,000 of cash donations/sponsorships from non-government organisations for each proposed project and a matching grant up to a maximum amount of $1,500,000 may be provided. Donors and sponsors of the approved projects are required to deposit the cash donations/sponsorships to the Hong Kong Arts Development Fund as recipient direct and HKADC will disburse the matching grants together with the original donations/sponsorships sought to the successful grantees for project implementation.

The MFS will be open for two rounds of applications in each financial year. Eligible applicants include the following:

(a) The arts groups currently receiving grants under the HKADC’s One-Year/ Two-Year/ Three-Year Grant Scheme; or

(b) The arts groups currently receiving grants under HKADC’s Project Grant, which are not included in (a) above, and should be the charitable institutions and trusts of a public character which are exempt from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap 112); or

(c) The arts groups not included in (a) and (b) above but with proven track record of promoting arts and culture in Hong Kong, led and managed by professional arts practitioners of reputation and recognition, with status of charitable institutions and trusts of a public character, which are exempt from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap 112).

Dr Wilfred Wong, Chairman of HKADC said: “The scheme endeavours to provide a dollar-to-dollar matching incentive for arts organisations to explore diversified funding sources and to achieve sustainable development. We seek and encourage commercial corporations, foundations, trusts and private donors to jointly support the artists of Hong Kong and to promote the cultural development of our community.”

The first briefing session will be held on Friday 12 August 2016, 4:00-6:00pm, at the HKADC Administration Office. All interested parties who would like to learn more about the scheme are welcome to join. Online registration is available at www.hkadc.org.hk; limited seats; first-come-first-served. Details of next briefing session will be announced on the website soon.

The application form and guideline can be downloaded from the HKADC website. Applications and relevant documents should be sent to 10/F, 1063 King's Road, Quarry Bay (Please state on envelope “Application for ADC Matching Fund Scheme) on or before 30 September 2016, 6pm. The approved applications will be announced on the HKADC website by the year end.

Enquiry hotline: 2820 1072 (Ms Wong) or [email protected].