Strategic Opportunity Stipend (SOS)

The Strategic Opportunity Stipend (SOS) is a competitive grant program administered by the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County. This program is specifically designed to support individual artists residing in Tompkins County, New York. SOS provides targeted funding for artists to seize strategic opportunities that can significantly advance their professional artistic careers. The funders behind SOS include a local private foundation and two donor-advised funds of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County: the Tompkins Today and Tomorrow Fund and the Maralyn W. Fleming Fund. These funding sources collectively provide at least $23,000 annually, and individual grant awards range from $100 to $1,000. The SOS program encourages applications from artists who maintain an active and consistent creative practice and have identified a concrete opportunity that will elevate their career. Such opportunities may include solo exhibitions, promotional tours, professional workshops, residencies, or other engagements that offer measurable advancement within the artist’s field. Eligible artistic disciplines include theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film, prose, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The opportunity can occur anywhere in the world, but applicants must clearly articulate its strategic importance and how it represents a new or significant step in their professional trajectory. Examples provided include participation in a first solo show, promotion of a new album, attending a residency overseas, or shipping artwork to an international exhibition. Eligible applicants must reside in Tompkins County for at least nine months per year from January 2025 through January 2027. Priority is given to long-term residents who have lived in the county since at least January 2023. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, may be requested. The application deadline for the 2026 SOS cycle is Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. EST. This deadline covers opportunities occurring between January 2026 and January 2027. Applications must be submitted through CommonGrantApplication.com, and first-time users are required to register before accessing the draft form. The application consists of multiple narrative sections, a budget upload, an artist resume, and, if applicable, confirmation of acceptance into the proposed opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to review the detailed program guidelines and to consult with Robin Schwartz, CAP's Program & Grant Director, for feedback and advice before submission. Draft reviews of the application and budget are available upon request, even up to the day of the deadline. Artists needing accommodations or assistance with the application process may also reach out to Robin. Additionally, CAP offers free grant-writing workshops and information sessions, both in-person and via Zoom, from November 2025 through January 2026. Grants are awarded through a panel review process. An anonymous group of local artists and cultural leaders evaluates the applications based on alignment with SOS guidelines, the clarity and feasibility of the budget, the artist’s career activity, and the potential impact of the opportunity on their professional development. The highest-rated proposals are funded until resources are exhausted, and awarded amounts may be adjusted based on the panel's discretion and available funds. Funded artists are required to sign a funding agreement, submit a W-9 form if the award is $600 or more, and credit the Community Arts Partnership in all related promotional materials. A final report is also required upon project completion. Overall, SOS offers a focused funding opportunity tailored to elevate the careers of dedicated Tompkins County artists. The program supports a wide range of disciplines and project types while maintaining clear guidelines to ensure the strategic value of each request. The application process emphasizes thoughtful planning, documentation, and community engagement, and provides support throughout the submission cycle to maximize applicant success.

Follow the guidelines closely; articulate strategic value of opportunity; use clear, specific, and detailed language; ensure budget aligns with narrative.