Program Support Grant

The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) offers the Program Support Grant for organizations or projects that promote arts and culture in the St. Louis area. The grant aims to support both arts and non-arts organizations, including fiscally-sponsored arts programs from St. Louis universities. The purpose of this grant is to broaden and deepen audience participation and increase access to the arts for both residents and visitors in the St. Louis region. The Program Support Grant is specifically for projects occurring within St. Louis city or county. The grant focuses on one-year program or project support, primarily in artistic production or presentation. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and units of federal or local government, such as libraries or municipal agencies. The program must focus on the creation, presentation, or utilization of arts and culture, and the activities must take place between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The grant offers a maximum funding request of $10,000. Although matching funds are not required, RAC encourages organizations to plan for diverse revenue streams and list them in their budget. Organizations may apply with a fiscal sponsor, but the fiscal sponsor must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If an application is funded, both the applicant and the fiscal sponsor must sign a Terms and Conditions Agreement with RAC. Applicants can apply in one of three categories: Arts and Culture, Cultural Festivals, Parades, and Special Events, or Community Arts. RAC does not require matching funds, but applicants are encouraged to show other secured funding in their budget. The grant will be evaluated based on three criteria: Artistic Essentials (40%), Community Benefit (30%), and Capacity (30%). Each of these categories has specific questions that will be rated on a scale from exemplary to weak, and the final score will influence the amount of funding awarded. The grant does not have an appeals process, but applicants can request their scores and feedback if they are not awarded a grant. Applicants must submit several documents, including the Program Support Budget Template, organizational health worksheet, IRS Form 990, and financial statements from the last two fiscal years. RAC will evaluate applications through an online portal, and applicants are encouraged to review resources and attend workshops to ensure the completeness of their application. Successful applicants will be notified through the Blackbaud portal and via email.