Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Project Support Grants

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC), the largest public funder for arts and culture in Northeast Ohio, is offering its 2026 Project Support (PS) grant program to support nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga County. Established in 2006 through a voter-approved tax to support arts and culture, CAC has since invested over $257 million into more than 500 nonprofit organizations. This initiative strengthens community life by ensuring that residents and visitors alike have access to a diverse range of cultural experiences. The Project Support grant aligns with this mission by funding individual arts and culture projects that have a strong community component. The 2026 Project Support grant is open to 501(c)(3) organizations operating in Cuyahoga County that have produced or presented public arts or culture programming in the last two years. Both organizations with and without a core mission in arts and culture are eligible, though applications must show that proposed projects are explicitly cultural in nature and provide public programming. Projects may consist of single events like festivals or exhibits, or series of events such as workshops, productions, or classes. All funded projects must begin and end between January 1 and December 31, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 PM ET on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Grants may range from $1,000 to $7,500. New applicants and those filing IRS Form 990-N are eligible for up to $5,000, while returning applicants filing IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ may apply for up to $7,500. All grants require a 1:1 funding match, with up to 50% of the match permitted as in-kind contributions. Funds must be used exclusively for direct project expenses that occur within the 2026 calendar year. Expenditures not allowed include general operating support, fundraising, capital improvements, scholarships, and activities located outside Cuyahoga County. Applications are evaluated through a public panel process that scores submissions based on three main criteria: Public Benefit, Artistic and Cultural Vibrancy, and Organizational Capacity. The emphasis is placed on public benefit, ensuring that taxpayer-funded grants support initiatives that meaningfully engage the community. Panelists are arts and culture professionals from outside the region, selected for their experience and diversity. Final grant decisions are made by CAC’s Board of Trustees, with recommended awards announced prior to board approval in November 2025. To apply, organizations must register with CAC’s online grant portal, complete the eligibility check, and submit detailed application materials. These include IRS documentation, evidence of arts programming, a project budget, narrative responses, and support materials such as videos or images. CAC encourages all applicants to attend technical workshops and engage with their grantmaking staff throughout the process. Recipients must also submit final reports by 30 days after project completion, and optional advance payments of up to 60% of the grant may be requested 30 days prior to the start of the project. For questions, applicants may contact CAC at info@cacgrants.org or 216-515-8303. Additional information, including the online application system and workshop dates, is available on the CAC website at cacgrants.org. All materials, including final applications, must be submitted by the July 31, 2025 deadline to be considered for funding.

Attend CAC workshops. Submit early. Provide current, high-quality support materials. Ensure budget and match rules are followed.