City of Berkeley General Operating Support Grant 2026-2027

The General Operating Support Grant is a funding program offered by the City of Berkeley’s Civic Arts Program to support the operational expenses of nonprofit arts organizations within Berkeley. The grant aims to enhance the stability and growth of the local arts community while fostering equitable representation of historically and systemically marginalized organizations. This program operates on a two-year funding cycle, reducing the administrative burden on applicants. The purpose of the grant is to provide financial support for the ongoing operational needs of arts organizations rather than funding specific projects. Funds can be used for expenses such as artist and contractor stipends, equipment rentals, professional development, program supplies, staff salaries, rent and utilities, venue and permit fees. However, grant funds cannot be used for in-school activities, university programs, capital improvements, deficit reduction, fundraising, political advocacy, religious projects, or start-up costs. Eligible applicants must be arts organizations based in Berkeley, California, and must either be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or an organization using a fiscal sponsor that holds 501(c)(3) status. Fiscal sponsors must also be registered with the California Secretary of State. Individual artists, for-profit businesses, school districts, and non-arts nonprofits are not eligible. Organizations representing marginalized identities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled individuals, low-income groups, and other underrepresented communities, are strongly encouraged to apply. The 2025-2027 grant cycle follows a structured timeline: Applications Open: January 6, 2025 Application Deadline: March 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Grant Review Panel Meeting: May 2025 Grants Subcommittee Funding Recommendations: June 6, 2025 Civic Arts Commission Approval: June 25, 2025 Grant Activity Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027 Progress Report Due: July 30, 2026 Final Report Due: July 30, 2027 Grant awards will be determined based on application scores, the number of applications received, and available funding. Applicants may request up to $10,000 per year (totaling $20,000 over two years). A total of $450,000 is allocated for FY26 and FY27 each. Funding decisions are subject to approval by the Civic Arts Commission and the Berkeley City Council’s budget adoption. Applications will be evaluated on four key criteria: artistic and cultural programming (25%), organizational leadership (25%), community engagement and impact (25%), and cultural equity (25%). The grant review panel, composed of arts professionals from the Bay Area, will assess applications, and recommendations will be approved by the Civic Arts Commission. Applicants who believe there was a misconduct or technical error in the review process may submit an appeal, but dissatisfaction with scores is not grounds for appeal. Grantees must comply with reporting requirements, including progress and final reports, and must acknowledge City funding in promotional materials. If grant funds are not used within the grant period, they must be returned. For further information, applicants can contact Hilary Amnah, Grants Program Lead, or visit the Civic Arts grants webpage.