The Community Spotlight Project Grants offered by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County provide targeted project funding for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located in Wake County, North Carolina. These grants are designed to uplift underrepresented communities and harness the power of the arts to address critical community issues. Eligible projects may include arts festivals, cultural productions, classes, and arts-based community engagement initiatives that are led by and centered around underrepresented voices.
For the 2025–2026 grant cycle, the application is now open for projects that will take place between July 2025 and June 2026. Grants of up to $10,000 are available. Projects must occur within Wake County, and applicants must be nonprofit organizations involved in arts and cultural programming.
Organizations interested in applying were expected to review the 2025–2026 grant guidelines and may have attended an informational session to better understand the application requirements. In the 2024–2025 cycle, the United Arts Council awarded $129,500 to support 17 projects across the county. This funding aims to increase access to arts programming and ensure representation in community events and artistic expression.
Grantees must manage their awards in compliance with United Arts' requirements, including the use of approved logos and acknowledgement language. Final reports for current grantees are due by July 9, 2025. The grant is supported by a coalition of funders, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wake County Board of Commissioners, and the North Carolina Arts Council.
Questions about the grant program should be directed to Ragen Carlile, Vice President of Education and Community Programs at the United Arts Council.
