City of Seattle Centering Art & Racial Equity Grant

The Centering Art & Racial Equity (CARE) Grant 2026, administered by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, is a funding initiative designed to support arts, culture, heritage, and arts service organizations in Seattle. The program emphasizes a commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist values, aiming to bolster organizations that contribute to a vibrant and equitable cultural ecosystem within the city. The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, through this grant, seeks to align its investments with its vision of a city where creative professionals from all backgrounds can thrive and have their stories and contributions recognized. The primary objective of this grant is to strengthen the cultural fabric of Seattle by providing operational support to organizations that offer public programming with a significant arts and cultural component. To be eligible, applicants must have at least a three-year history of serving the public through arts and culture initiatives, maintain a physical presence within Seattle city limits, and demonstrate a commitment to anti-racist practices through an intersectional lens. Religious institutions, educational institutions operating as part of standard curricular or extracurricular activities, and entities primarily operating outside Seattle are excluded from eligibility. Funding amounts range between $500 and $18,000 annually, though the total number of awards and the specific amount awarded to each applicant depend on various factors including City budget considerations, admissions tax revenues, and scoring from a community-based evaluation panel. Funding decisions are expected to be announced by March 31, 2026. Successful applicants must comply with certain conditions, including securing a Seattle business license and Washington State UBI number, and demonstrating a public benefit in exchange for funding. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis and require submission of a final report and promotional materials. Applications open on May 20, 2025, and must be submitted by August 5, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Applicants can use the City of Seattle’s FLUXX grant portal to apply. The same application can be used for both the CARE Grant and the Cultural Facilities Fund, if an organization chooses to apply to both. Several virtual workshops are scheduled to support prospective applicants, including an ASL-interpreted session. Workshops will be held on May 29, June 2, June 24, and July 9, 2025. The evaluation process for applications runs from August 2025 through March 2026 and includes independent reviews by a diverse panel of cultural professionals and community members. Evaluation criteria cover accessibility and community involvement, alignment with the organization’s artistic mission, commitment to anti-racist values, and organizational resilience. Applicants are encouraged to attend information sessions, begin preparations early, and consult with program staff for support and guidance. Kathy Hsieh is the designated contact for this program and can provide assistance related to eligibility, application preparation, and technical issues. She can be reached via email at kathy.hsieh@seattle.gov or by phone at 206-733-9926. Additional support, including interpretation services, is available to ensure accessibility for all applicants.