Local Arts Grant Program 2026

The Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA), offers the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Local Arts Program (LAP) Grant to support community-based arts organizations and initiatives within Mercer County, New Jersey. This grant program is part of a three-year block grant from the NJSCA to county-level agencies and is administered by the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage. The goal of the LAP Grant is to broaden the reach and impact of the arts in the county by supporting both general operations of arts-centric nonprofits and specific arts-related projects by a wide array of community institutions. The FY26 LAP Grant funds are available to eligible nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, libraries, and now once again, K–12 schools, school districts, and local government units within Mercer County. Eligible applicants must have been providing or presenting arts programming for at least two years. Organizations must be incorporated in New Jersey and possess IRS 501(c)(3) or (c)(4) tax-exempt status. Applicants without a finalized IRS status may still apply if partnered with a qualified fiscal agent and provide appropriate documentation. Two types of funding are available under this program: General Operating Support (GOS) and Special Project Support (SP). GOS grants, capped at $7,000, are reserved for nonprofit organizations whose missions are primarily dedicated to arts education or public arts presentation. The maximum allowable GOS request is 30% of the applicant's average operating income from the previous and current year. SP grants, also capped at $7,000, can cover up to 50% of the budget for a standalone arts project and may include in-kind contributions for up to half the required match. Examples of eligible special projects include concerts, exhibitions, performances, workshops, or festivals that are open to the public and occur within the calendar year and within Mercer County. Applications must be submitted by August 29, 2025, with the grant cycle running from January 1 to December 31, 2026. The application process involves a digital submission that includes answers to detailed narrative questions, budget documentation, ADA compliance plans, long-range planning statements, and support materials such as brochures, resumes, and past event samples. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their materials at least two weeks in advance for a preliminary completeness review. Grant awards are made following a two-tiered evaluation process, first by a peer review panel and then by the Cultural & Heritage Commission, with final decisions made by Mercer County administrators. Notifications are expected in December 2025. Grantees must comply with program requirements, including providing progress documentation and final reports. Seventy-five percent of the award is disbursed upon contract signing, and the remaining twenty-five percent is paid following approval of the final report submitted by January 2027. Applicants must also comply with ADA accessibility guidelines and are encouraged to attend an ADA technical workshop. Support from the Division includes grant-writing and ADA workshops and individualized staff consultations. All grantee events must be promoted through the County’s outreach platforms, including the “Going Places” newsletter and social media pages. Contact information for assistance includes Chief Idamis Pérez-Margicin at imargicin@mercercounty.org, Administrative Secretary Lisa Tramo at ltramo@mercercounty.org, and general office phone at (609) 278-2712. The grant opens on June 16, 2025, and applications must be submitted by August 29, 2025. Funding decisions will be based on program quality, alignment with County objectives, administrative capability, fiscal health, and commitment to accessibility and cultural equity.

Submit early for pre-review, attend workshops, retain full documentation of matching and in-kind, ensure Mercer County location and public access.