Cultural Facilities Grant Program

The Cultural Facilities Grant is administered by the Florida Department of State's Division of Arts and Culture to support the acquisition, renovation, or construction of cultural facilities across Florida. Established under Section 265.701 of the Florida Statutes and governed by Rule 1T-1.039 of the Florida Administrative Code, the grant program aims to fund projects that provide venues for the programming, production, exhibition, and presentation of arts and culture. Eligible disciplines include music, dance, theatre, literature, visual and media arts, and museum programming. This grant does not support non-cultural community organizations such as schools, libraries, and parks unless their mission explicitly centers on arts and culture. Funding levels differ based on facility use: purpose-built or single-use facilities primarily used for arts and culture (85% or more of the time) may request up to $500,000, while multi-purpose facilities (used for arts and culture less than 85% of the time) may request up to $200,000. The program does not fund commercial ventures, landscaping, parking facilities, or projects where those features represent the full scope of work. Matching funds are required and must meet specific ratios based on the applicant’s annual support and revenue, with reduced requirements available for REDI-designated areas. Applicants must be Florida-based public entities or nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations. They must own or lease the property in question, have unrestricted use for at least ten years, and demonstrate arts programming that aligns with the facility’s intended use. All applicants must be registered with the Florida Division of Corporations and possess a valid IRS tax-exempt determination letter. Extensive documentation is required at the time of submission, including architectural plans, support letters, financial statements, matching fund proof, and evidence of project-specific community backing. Applications are due by June 1 at 5:00 p.m. ET, with the submission window opening on April 1 each year. Applications must be submitted through the DOS Grants System at dosgrants.com. Award notifications begin July 1 of the award year, and the grant period lasts for 23 months. Quarterly reporting is mandatory, and final reports are due by July 15 following the end of the grant period. A structured evaluation system includes technical review, panel scoring based on need, scope, and budget, and submission of a ranked list to the Secretary of State and the Florida Legislature. Application components include a detailed project description, budget, documented match, architectural plans or contractor proposals, community support letters, and compliance with historical preservation requirements if applicable. Applications scoring 80 or above will be recommended for funding. Applicants not funded in a given year may roll over their applications once, provided there are no changes to scope or eligibility. Technical assistance is available from program staff, and full contact listings can be found on the Division’s website.