Ohio Arts Council Capacity Building Grants

The Capacity Building program offered by the Ohio Arts Council supports organizations in engaging outside expertise to improve internal practices, develop new skills, or enhance knowledge that advances their mission. Eligible activities include professional development, strategic planning, program evaluation, and consultant-led projects that strengthen organizational capacity. Funds may also support registration costs, travel, and lodging for staff attending professional development conferences. The program is designed to help arts providers in Ohio modernize their practices, address new challenges, and improve their ability to serve their communities. Applicants can request up to $5,000, with awards covering up to half of the costs of eligible outside fees. A one-to-one cash match is required. Eligible applicants include nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, government entities, social service agencies, and educational institutions from pre-kindergarten through university level. Proposed projects must focus on a single area of organizational development and may not include activities such as general fee-for-service projects, ongoing or unrelated activities, or tasks that do not directly build organizational capacity. Applications must include documentation from the expertise provider detailing the scope of activities, timeline, and costs. Examples include consultant proposals, conference schedules, and training quotes. All applications are evaluated by Ohio Arts Council staff based on criteria including the impact of the project on the organization’s mission, responsiveness to organizational needs, the qualifications of the consultants or trainers, and the appropriateness of the budget. Only those projects with a meaningful potential for organizational improvement are recommended for funding. Applications are accepted twice annually, with deadlines of May 1 for activities beginning in July and November 1 for activities starting in January. Grants are announced approximately two months after each deadline. Grantees may request partial payment of 50 percent of the grant after completing initial activities and incurring expenses, with the final payment issued upon submission and approval of a final report. All applications must be submitted through the ARTIE system, and applicants are encouraged to contact their regional program coordinator for assistance. Guidelines, eligibility details, and submission instructions are available on the Ohio Arts Council website. This program represents an opportunity for organizations to strategically invest in building internal capacity to enhance their operations and service delivery.