LAP Grant Program

The Burlington County Local Arts Program (LAP) is a regrant initiative managed by the Burlington County Cultural & Heritage Affairs (BCCHA), part of the Division of Parks. This program is supported by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) through state and federal funds. BCCHA functions as the county’s designated agency for fostering local arts and culture. It distributes LAP funds provided by NJSCA to eligible nonprofit arts organizations and community groups within Burlington County, New Jersey, after a competitive application and peer review process. The purpose of the LAP grant is to support arts programming that increases access to and engagement with the arts across Burlington County. It aims to enhance community exposure to visual arts, music, theater, dance, folk and traditional arts, literature, photography, and related disciplines. Funding may be awarded in one of two categories: Special Project (SP), for any nonprofit sponsoring a specific arts-related project, and General Operating Support (GOS), which is reserved for arts-centered nonprofits to sustain ongoing operations. Applicants may apply in only one of the two categories, and local governments and colleges are not eligible. For the 2026 grant cycle, project activities must occur between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. The maximum award in either category is $16,000. No match is required for General Operating Support. However, Special Projects require a 1:1 match, which can be met through cash or in-kind contributions. Ineligible expenses include capital expenditures, fundraising costs, hospitality, scholarships, and pre-award expenses. Reusable materials like theater sets or sheet music are allowable. Applicants must submit a complete application, including an ADA Checklist and an ADA Plan. Nonprofits must have their ADA Plan approved by their board. Application materials include narrative and budget forms tailored to the funding category. A Grant Writing Workshop or Open Office Hours are typically offered early in the cycle to assist applicants. The application deadline for the 2026 cycle is September 12, 2025. The review process includes a staff screening followed by evaluation from a panel of arts professionals. Proposals are scored based on the quality of the artistic work, audience engagement, quantitative impact, governance standards, and budgetary realism. The review panel makes recommendations to the Division of Parks, which are then submitted to the Burlington County Board of Commissioners for final approval. Applicants will receive funding decisions by letter and may appeal decisions within two weeks if they believe their application was misunderstood, though no new information will be accepted. Awards are disbursed in two payments: 75% upon execution of the grant agreement, and 25% following submission of a final report and confirmation of proper fund usage and attribution. All awardees must credit both the Burlington County Board of Commissioners and the NJSCA in promotional materials using specific language and logos. Final reports are due no later than January 16, 2027. Questions may be directed to Lynn Lemyre at 609-265-5858 or llemyre@co.burlington.nj.us.

Attend a Grant Writing Workshop or Open Office Hours for assistance.