Grassroots Project Grants for Nonprofit Organizations

The Craven Arts Council & Gallery, in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council, is offering Grassroots Project Grants. These grants are designed to support non-profit organizations that implement arts projects within Craven County, North Carolina. The program's mission aligns with fostering local arts initiatives and ensuring that artistic endeavors are accessible and supported at the community level. The Craven Arts Council & Gallery acts as the local arts council responsible for disbursing these funds, ensuring that the grants directly benefit the cultural landscape of Craven County. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are non-profit organizations operating within Craven County that are engaged in arts-related projects. While 501(c)(3) status is preferred, organizations that are non-profit in nature are also eligible to apply. The impact goals include enhancing artistic expression, supporting local cultural events, and providing opportunities for community engagement through the arts. Individual artists or projects are not eligible, focusing the grants on organizational impact and broader community benefit. The program prioritizes projects that take place between July 1, 2024, and June 15, 2025. Organizations must have been in operation for at least one year and must reside and carry out their projects within Craven County. The focus is on supporting established or developing non-profit entities that can demonstrate a commitment to the arts within the specified geographical area. Grant amounts range from $500 to $4000, indicating a focus on supporting a variety of project sizes and enabling smaller organizations to access funding. Expected outcomes of the Grassroots Arts Project Grants include an increase in the number and quality of arts projects within Craven County, enhanced community participation in arts events, and the strengthening of local arts organizations. Measurable results could include the number of projects funded, audience attendance at funded events, and the demonstrated impact of these projects on the community's cultural vibrancy. The foundation's strategic priority is to decentralize arts funding, allowing local arts councils to directly address the needs of their communities, thereby strengthening the arts infrastructure at a grassroots level. The theory of change is that by empowering local arts councils and providing direct financial support to local non-profit arts organizations, the overall health and accessibility of the arts in North Carolina, specifically in Craven County, will be significantly improved.