General Operating Support

The General Operating Support Program, funded by Onondaga County and administered by CNY Arts, provides annual grant funding to support the core missions and operations of select arts and cultural organizations located in Onondaga County, New York. This funding opportunity is available by invitation only to cultural institutions that have been historically supported by the County since 2011. The intent of the program is to strengthen established organizations that contribute significantly to the region’s cultural landscape, support local economic development, and enhance quality of life for both residents and visitors. Grants provided under this program support the general operations of eligible organizations, including programming, administration, and other critical functions. These awards reflect the County’s investment in the long-term sustainability and success of its arts and cultural sector. The program is open only to organizations that are designated as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, have their principal office in Onondaga County, and conduct the majority of their activities within New York State. Organizations must also demonstrate the capacity to report on financial and programmatic outcomes, operate in accordance with local and state nonprofit guidelines, and maintain a non-discrimination policy. Eligibility is further stratified into tiers. Tier One is designed for larger cultural institutions with annual budgets of $800,000 or more, full-time directors, and year-round operations. These organizations are required to submit independent CPA audits, demonstrate financial stability, and maintain a physical venue. Tier One agencies must match County funds through private donations and earned revenue; government funds do not qualify as matching contributions. Tier Two agencies represent mid-sized organizations with budgets between $250,000 and $799,999 and must also have a board of directors, year-round operation, and historical funding by the County. Tier Three organizations, including smaller and newer groups, are not eligible for General Operating Support and may instead apply for other County-administered programs when available. The application window for the 2026 cycle opens on August 20, 2025, and closes on October 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. All applications must be submitted via the CNY Arts Submittable platform. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Award notifications will be issued on or before November 21, 2025. Funded activities must take place between January 1 and December 31, 2026, and recipients must comply with all reporting requirements, including quarterly reports, annual audits, and data submissions such as zip code analyses. The evaluation process includes a competitive panel review composed of arts and business professionals selected by the CNY Arts Board of Directors. Proposals are scored on creativity, public service, and managerial/financial strength, with up to 12 total points possible including an independent CPA financial review. Applicants must also submit extensive documentation such as strategic plans, financial reports, personnel rosters, bylaws, and more. Funded organizations are obligated to adhere to County branding and acknowledgement standards, submit all programming to the CNY Arts event calendar, and maintain current profiles in the CNY Arts Directory. Insurance compliance and accurate, timely reporting are also required. Failure to meet these obligations may affect eligibility for future funding cycles.

Ensure all financial documents are signed and board-approved. Applications must be submitted through Submittable by the exact deadline—no late submissions will be accepted.