Arts and Culture Funding Program

The Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG), in collaboration with the Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA), offers the FY 2025-2026 Operations Grant as part of its Arts & Culture Funding Program. This local government-funded initiative aims to foster a resourceful arts ecosystem in Lafayette Parish by supporting nonprofit arts and culture organizations. The grant seeks to enhance community cultural life, promote local artists, expand public access to the arts, and encourage programming that is inclusive, equitable, and accessible. The Acadiana Center for the Arts helps administer the grant program. The funding opportunity is designed to support the general operations of eligible nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Applicants can request between $2,500 and $7,500 to support activities such as staff salaries, employee benefits, contractor fees, transportation, supplies and materials, rent, insurance, meetings, and other general operational costs. Award disbursements are made in two stages: 75% is provided upon submission of the agreement and payment request, while the remaining 25% is reimbursed after submission of a final report with expense documentation. It is important to note that funding is contingent on availability from the Lafayette Consolidated Government, and applicants must retain grant records for three years following project termination. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit arts and culture organizations based in Lafayette Parish with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Organizations must have existed for at least one year and be governed by a Board of Directors that meets at least quarterly. Organizations receiving direct line-item support from LCG, individuals, for-profit entities, and non-compliant past recipients are not eligible. Additionally, organizations not in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State or the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, or lacking a valid Federal Employer Identification Number at the time of submission, are disqualified from applying. The application window opens on July 1, 2025, and closes at 4:00 PM on August 12, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to attend an information session scheduled for July 2, 2025, at 4:30 PM. A draft review option is available and must be submitted by July 25, 2025, by 5:00 PM. Applicants must use the “Save & Resume” feature and email either Anna Kojevnikov at Anna@AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org or Audrey de Mahy at Audrey@AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org to request a draft review. Notifications will be issued by mid-October 2025, and the funding cycle spans from November 1, 2025, through October 5, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by a panel appointed by LCG and AcA, who will make funding recommendations to the Lafayette City Council. Applications will be evaluated based on three weighted criteria: Organization History and Programming (50%), Need and Impact (20%), and Administration and Budget (30%). Required documents include proof of nonprofit status, articles of incorporation, by-laws, a current certificate of good standing, a list of board members, a board resolution authorizing submission, annual budget, and financial statements for organizations with budgets of $50,000 or more. Optional materials such as artist resumes, letters of support, and work samples are encouraged to strengthen applications. The program guidelines also offer several grant writing tips: applicants should use clear and concise language, align their narratives and budgets, rely on data over opinion, and ensure consistency and clarity across their submissions. For assistance during the application process, organizations may call (337) 233-7060. The grant does not fund capital expenditures unless fully covered, deficit reductions, fundraising or hospitality costs, or projects completed before or after the contract period. Events must be open to the public to qualify for funding.

Use clear, specific language; ensure consistency between narrative, budget, and support forms; proofread and ask someone else to review the draft.