City of Chico-26 City Arts Grant

The City of Chico 2025-26 City Arts Grant program is designed to support Chico-based arts organizations and artists in creating and delivering high-quality arts and cultural projects accessible to the local community. Administered in collaboration with the North Valley Community Foundation, the program funds projects that encourage community engagement, demonstrate artistic rigor, and serve diverse and underserved populations. Funded through one percent of the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), the grant offers awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. A 1:1 dollar-for-dollar matching requirement is mandatory for all applicants. Acceptable matching contributions include corporate or private contributions, state or federal government funds, earned income, and a partial in-kind contribution as outlined in the application guidelines. City of Chico funds cannot be used as a match. Eligible applicants include nonprofit arts and cultural organizations with 501(c)(3) status operating within the city of Chico and possessing at least a two-year history of arts production or presentation. Individual artists are eligible only if applying under the sponsorship of a qualifying nonprofit organization. Funded projects must deliver arts and cultural experiences, and grant funds must be used for projects, events, exhibitions, performances, or capital improvement/equipment purchases that strengthen the organization's arts and cultural services. Funds may not be used for general operations, staff salaries, fundraising activities, religious purposes, or non-arts activities. Applications must be submitted electronically to the North Valley Community Foundation by 4:00 PM on Thursday, June 26, 2025. A Grant Question and Answer Session will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM to assist potential applicants. Award notifications will be issued on August 1, 2025. Funded activities must occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, with a final completion report due no later than July 15, 2026. Applicants unable to complete projects within the fiscal year must request an extension or return the funds by June 15, 2026. Applications will be evaluated by the City of Chico Arts Commission based on project design and implementation, artistic merit, community impact, and management and leadership capacity. Recipients must submit a detailed completion report documenting the realized project, outcomes, budget comparisons, and supporting digital materials. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in disqualification from future funding opportunities. For inquiries, applicants are directed to email the City Clerk at debbie.presson@chicoca.gov or stina.cooley@chicoca.gov and may also consult the City of Chico Arts Commission's Facebook page for additional updates.