Unrestricted Operating Grants

SVCREATES, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara, offers Unrestricted Operating Grants to support the core operations of small nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Santa Clara County. These grants are part of SVCREATES' broader mission to foster a dynamic, diverse, and equitable arts ecosystem within the county. The program is designed to provide flexible, general operating support to organizations that demonstrate artistic vibrancy, community engagement, and organizational sustainability. The grant aims to strengthen the local cultural landscape by funding organizations that reflect the community’s diverse character and maintain a strong commitment to accessibility and inclusion. This funding opportunity operates on a two-year application cycle. In alternating years, current grantees may qualify for a renewal based on the completion of prior grant reporting and the availability of funds. For the 2026 cycle, the program will accept new applications from nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets between $250,000 and $1.5 million. The application window opens on March 2, 2026, with a deadline of April 10, 2026. The grant term will span from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. A preview of the application will be made available in early February 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend an information session on March 13, 2026, and can also schedule individual consultations with SVCREATES staff if additional support is needed. Eligible applicants must meet several criteria: they must be California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is the performance, production, or presentation of arts and cultural programming. The organization must be based in Santa Clara County, with the majority of its programming occurring there, and must have been active in the area for at least three years prior to July 2026. Entities with budgets under $750,000 may apply through a fiscal sponsor, whereas those with larger budgets must be independent nonprofits. Organizations must also demonstrate a commitment to accessibility, have satisfied past reporting requirements, and adhere to restrictions on funding usage, which exclude political, religious, and capital expenses, among others. The application will consist of narrative and quantitative questions covering mission, programming, audience engagement, staff and board demographics, financials, and artistic/programmatic work samples. Applicants must provide a financial statement for their most recent fiscal year. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of four to six experts, including at least two BIPOC/ALAANA members, selected based on their familiarity with arts organizations of similar size and scope. Applications will be grouped by organizational budget size, and funding decisions will be based on a combination of panel scores and a funding formula. Three main evaluation criteria guide the panel’s review: Artistic Vibrancy and Relevancy (50 points), Organizational Resilience and Ingenuity (40 points), and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (10 points). The criteria assess the organization’s connection to its community, commitment to its mission through programming, financial and strategic planning, and inclusive practices across staff, board, and programming. Final grant notifications are expected in late June or early July 2026. Organizations with questions regarding eligibility or the application process are encouraged to contact Sinjin Jones, SVCREATES Program Director, at [email protected] or by phone at (408) 998-2787 x204. The grant program explicitly supports small, community-based organizations and aims to advance cultural equity and sustainability in the arts throughout Santa Clara County.

Tailor responses to panel criteria: highlight artistic quality, organizational planning, and community impact.