MCA Cultural Grant Program

The Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) Cultural Grant is an annual funding initiative administered by the MCA in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant is designed to support nonprofit arts, culture, and historic organizations located within Ocala and Marion County, Florida. MCA was established with a mission to champion, convene, and create opportunities for local artists and cultural organizations. A key strategy in fulfilling this mission is the provision of direct funding to community-based nonprofits through the Cultural Endowment Fund, which originated in 2001 with proceeds from the region’s first public art initiative, Horse Fever. Since its inception, the Cultural Endowment Fund has distributed over $585,000 to more than 48 nonprofit organizations. The grant has supported at least 143 separate initiatives across various artistic disciplines and has positively impacted over 395,000 individuals. These include underserved populations such as seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, students, and local artists. Funding may support a variety of eligible expenses, including but not limited to programming, equipment, and organizational initiatives that further the arts and cultural engagement within the region. The 2024-2025 round of grants awarded funding amounts ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 to twelve different organizations. Eligible disciplines for this grant include music, theater, dance, visual arts, cinema, literary arts, folk arts, and photography. Historical and scientific museums are also considered eligible. MCA maintains an inclusive approach to artistic expression and encourages applications from organizations across all these disciplines. Applications open each spring when MCA releases the Cultural Grant Criteria and Application. For the 2025-2026 grant cycle, completed applications must be submitted through the MCA Grant Portal by 5 PM on Friday, July 18, 2025. Each grant award is reviewed and scored by a volunteer committee led by an MCA Board member. Evaluation follows criteria established by the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs. After committee recommendations are reviewed by the Executive Committee and Board, final decisions are made in August, with grants formally awarded at MCA’s annual Applaud the Arts event. Grantees must publicly acknowledge MCA's support in all marketing and promotional materials. This may include using the official MCA logo and/or including approved grant attribution language. Grantees also agree that MCA may publicize the award using materials and photographs provided in the grant application or final report. A final report documenting grant use is due within 30 days of the completion of the funded activity. Contact information for MCA includes a phone line at (352) 369-1500. The MCA is headquartered at the Brick City Center for the Arts, located at 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala, FL 34471. While the grant is regionally focused, MCA plays a pivotal role in uplifting the creative landscape of the broader Marion County community through this program.

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