Fleishhacker Foundation Small Arts Grants

The Fleishhacker Foundation's Small Arts Grants Program aims to support arts and culture nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups with annual budgets between $100,000 and $749,999, as well as film projects directed by filmmakers, all residing or primarily operating in San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to foster artistic expression and cultural vitality within the Bay Area by providing flexible general support grants. These grants can be used for a wide array of operational, administrative, program, or production costs, including staffing, facilities, health and safety compliance, and artists' compensation, enabling grantees to address their most pressing needs and sustain their artistic endeavors. The program primarily targets arts and culture organizations incorporated as 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored groups, with a particular focus on those that have demonstrated an artistic presence in the Bay Area for at least three years. Additionally, it supports filmmakers residing in the specified counties. The impact goals are centered on strengthening the artistic ecosystem of the Bay Area by ensuring that small to mid-sized arts organizations and local filmmakers have the resources to produce and present new work by Bay Area artists. The program aims to cultivate a vibrant cultural landscape by supporting a diverse range of artistic disciplines including dance, music, theater, visual arts, interdisciplinary arts, and film. Key priorities and focuses include organizations planning to produce and present new work between May 15, 2024, and April 15, 2025, and those that financially compensate artists for their work. The foundation also prioritizes organizations that demonstrate strong community and board support. Excluded are organizations that applied in the fall 2023 cycle, those primarily acting as venues or presenters without producing their own work, groups with more than 50% of their budgets directed toward educational programs or youth-focused activities, and those whose main purpose is to present historical works or is rooted in social services. This selective approach ensures that funding is directed towards organizations actively contributing to contemporary artistic creation and presentation. Expected outcomes include the successful creation and presentation of new artistic works by Bay Area artists, increased operational stability for eligible arts organizations, and enhanced compensation for artists. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the grant ranges, the program's intent is to measure success through the sustained activity and output of the funded organizations and filmmakers. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $10,000, usually closer to $5,000, providing crucial financial assistance that can significantly impact the capacity of smaller arts groups and individual projects. The Fleishhacker Foundation's strategic priorities are to empower local arts communities and artists in the Bay Area, fostering a dynamic and innovative cultural environment. Their theory of change posits that by providing flexible financial support to eligible arts organizations and filmmakers, they enable sustained artistic production and presentation, ultimately enriching the cultural fabric of San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties. This targeted support aims to ensure that smaller arts entities, which often face significant funding challenges, can continue to thrive, innovate, and contribute to the region's artistic heritage, thereby ensuring a robust and diverse artistic landscape for the community.