General Operating Support: Sustaining Grant

The FY24-FY25 General Operating Support: Sustaining grant for Large Groups is administered by ArtsWA, the Washington State Arts Commission. This two-year funding opportunity is designed to support the general operations of arts organizations throughout Washington State, with a focus on organizations providing accessible and impactful creative experiences. As a response to continued growth in demand for support following the pandemic, ArtsWA has reduced its individual grant amounts, which may be adjusted based on overall demand and funding availability. Applicants can receive $6,000 in total support, disbursed as $3,000 per year over two years. This funding is designated for general operating expenses and is issued as a reimbursement grant, meaning that payments are processed after expenses are incurred, typically at the close of the organization’s operating year. The funding period for this cycle covers eligible expenses incurred between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Final reimbursement documentation is due June 30, 2026. Additionally, recipients are required to submit two final reports—one for each fiscal year—by July 31, 2026 and July 31, 2027 respectively. Priority consideration is provided to organizations operating in distressed counties within Washington, as designated by the state, including areas such as Yakima, Grays Harbor, and Ferry Counties. Organizations that serve constituencies composed of at least 25% underserved populations, particularly those historically marginalized by race, ethnicity, or geography, are also prioritized. Eligible applicants must be Washington-based arts, culture, or heritage organizations with publicly accessible programming and a documented three-year programming history. Organizations must have an annual operating budget of over $350,000. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, organizations with a fiscal sponsor, designated Local Arts Agencies, and Tribal Governments. Ineligible applicants include individuals, for-profit organizations, religious groups (unless for specific project support), educational institutions, and standard government agencies unless formally designated as a Local Arts Agency. Applications were accepted from March 3, 2025, through April 7, 2025, closing at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Informational webinars were held on March 11 and March 26, with weekly office hours offered beginning March 12. Applicants were to be notified of funding decisions by the last week of May 2025. This opportunity is not recurring and has since closed.

Funding priority is given to organizations in WA-designated distressed counties and those serving 25%+ underserved populations.