Special Project Grant

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) Special Project Grants are part of the city’s FY2026–2027 funding opportunities designed to support targeted, short-term artistic initiatives that align with San Francisco’s cultural equity goals. Funded through the Arts Impact Endowment, which draws resources from the city’s Hotel Tax Fund, these grants are intended to promote creative, responsive, and community-driven arts projects that reflect the city's diverse cultural landscape. The Special Project Grant is one of several grant categories administered annually by SFAC under the broader umbrella of its Community Investments program. For the FY2026–2027 grant cycle, SFAC is offering Special Project Grant funding as a competitive opportunity for individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations based in San Francisco. The goal is to fund culturally meaningful projects that can be completed within the grant period and demonstrate clear benefit to San Francisco communities. All projects must be aligned with the goals of the Arts Impact Endowment, with particular attention to cultural equity and public impact. The application for Special Project Grants must be submitted by October 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM (noon) Pacific Time. SFAC requires applicants to complete the application in English and submit through the designated online system. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. A variety of technical assistance workshops and webinars have been offered to help applicants prepare competitive proposals, including general grant seeker sessions and workshops specific to the Arts Impact Endowment. Required components typically include project narratives, budgets, work samples, and organizational or fiscal sponsor documentation, as applicable. To be eligible, applicants must reside or be headquartered in San Francisco and demonstrate the cultural relevance and public benefit of their proposed project. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed for individual artists or groups not incorporated as 501(c)(3) organizations, provided the sponsor meets SFAC’s eligibility and financial management requirements. Projects may be presented in any artistic discipline but must occur within the City and County of San Francisco and be accessible to the general public. All funded activities must comply with city contracting policies and advance SFAC’s goals of cultural equity and community representation. Applicants are advised to review the Special Project Grant guidelines and participate in a grant information session to understand the selection criteria. SFAC assesses applications based on artistic strength, alignment with cultural equity goals, impact, feasibility, and organizational capacity. The agency also emphasizes transparency and equity in its panel review processes. SFAC encourages early planning and communication with its staff for applicants with access needs or questions related to ADA accommodations. No deadline extensions will be granted. All questions regarding the FY2026–2027 Special Project Grant must be directed to SFAC’s Community Investments team at sfac.grants@sfgov.org. Updated FAQ documents are available through SFAC’s website, and applicants are encouraged to consult these resources before contacting staff. For detailed information about eligibility, required documents, or funding criteria, the Advance Payment Policy and Frequently Asked Questions PDFs can also be referenced online.

Attend an SFAC information session; review Advance Payment Policy and FAQ PDFs before submission.