The Dough: Where's It Go?

If there's a question that gets asked more often around here than this one, I don't know what it is:

What does Irish Fest do with the money?

Okay, "is Davey Colgan single and can you introduce me?" is a very close second, but that money question is the money question. And I can answer it in two chunks. Chunk one: the money pays the bills. Irish Fest is hella expensive to put on every year. Think about it: bands, fencing, security, generators, tents, insurance, potties, utilities, fees and permits...if it weren't for the fact that we're volunteer staffed we'd never be able to get the fest off the ground at all. So there's chunk one. The money goes to keep us going.

Chunk two is what I want to talk to you about today.

We give the money to you.

Of course there's a string attached: You gotta ask.

Once again, it's time for Irish Fest grant applications. The deadline to get yours in is the last day of this month, September 30th. We'll award up to $1,500 grants for individuals and up to $3,500 for qualified 501(c)3 agencies and grants must be used during the 2014 calendar year. We won't just give money for anything either. Bricks and mortar, items of a political nature, operating expenses, salaries, rent and payment for professional services are excluded from consideration. And as you apply keep in mind that we're Irish Fest. If you're looking to fund your trip to Kyoto to further your study of Kabuki theater, maybe look elsewhere. However if you have a dream to explore, expand and enhance some aspect of our rich Irish character and culture, we might just be able to help.

Get all the details on how to apply and see a list of past grant recipients here. Remember, the deadline is one week from today.