City of Reno Arts & Culture Project Grants

The City of Reno Arts & Culture Project Grants aim to support arts and culture nonprofit organizations that serve the city’s historically underserved populations through creative programming. These grants encourage projects that extend beyond traditional arts engagement by reaching populations such as seniors, ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American), people with disabilities, new Americans, low-income communities, veterans, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and youth. The City of Reno invites organizations to apply for funding for projects that contribute to vibrant, creative neighborhoods through inclusive and impactful arts experiences. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations or public institutions under 501(c)(3) designation or qualified educational institutions. Applicants must have an official business address located in Reno or surrounding communities such as Sparks, Incline Village, or Truckee. All funded projects must take place within the Reno city limits and demonstrate at least one year of active programming history. Applicants must propose projects that clearly align with their mission and describe artistic goals, cultural relevance, and engagement strategies. Emphasis is placed on innovative outreach to underserved groups, accessibility of programming, community partnerships, and the use of participant feedback to guide programming. The grants will fund up to 50% of eligible project costs, not to exceed $7,000, with a mandatory 1:1 cash match. Eligible expenses include artist fees, public performance and exhibition costs, marketing, consultant and teaching artist fees, materials, supplies, and facility rentals outside of the applicant’s primary office. Ineligible uses include capital improvements, equipment purchases, operating expenses, projects with religious affiliations, fundraising, scholarships, research stipends, and programming that takes place outside the City of Reno. Funded projects must occur between January 1 and December 31, 2026. This is a reimbursement-based grant; funds will be disbursed only after submission and approval of final reports and documentation confirming the match. Final reports must include a financial breakdown, audience survey data (using City-provided forms), and documentation of project outcomes. Required reporting includes attendance data, personnel and volunteer involvement, and narrative reflections on program effectiveness. Applications must be submitted online by 11:00 PM Pacific Time on Monday, September 30, 2025. A virtual applicant information session was hosted on September 3, 2025, to provide guidance for interested organizations. Organizations may also apply for the City of Reno Event Grant, but only one grant may be awarded per organization, and the proposed programming must differ across applications. Questions about the grant may be directed to Erica Hill at HillE@reno.gov or by phone at 775-689-8459. Spanish-speaking applicants may contact staff at 775-326-6333 for support in Spanish.

A competitive application should demonstrate social impact, audience accessibility, community relevance, and inclusion of underserved groups.