Operating Support Grant for Organizations in Arizona

The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Tucson, and Pima County, is offering operating support grants for arts and culture organizations. These grants are part of a 3-year initiative designed to equitably rebuild arts economies in the borderlands and strengthen civic participation. The foundation's mission aligns with this program by stewarding local, regional, and federal funds to achieve these goals, thereby investing in the Southern Arizona arts economy. The target beneficiaries for this program are arts and culture organizations that are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) or charitable arts organizations in good standing with the IRS, or federally recognized Indian tribal governments. Pima County arts organizations may also apply with a fiscal sponsor. Beneficiaries must reside and provide services in counties and regions south of the Gila River, including Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise, and southern portions of Pinal, Yuma, Greenlee, Graham, and Maricopa counties, and/or Native Sovereign Nations. The primary mission of these organizations must explicitly be to produce, present, teach, serve, or preserve through arts and culture, with over 51% of their programming and budget dedicated to the arts. The program focuses on two key impact goals: restoring/creating jobs and incentivizing arts & civic engagement. To achieve this, the grants will invest in Southern Arizona’s arts economy. Eligible expenses for Pima County Arts Organizations include operational expenses, while Southern Arizona 501(c)3 Arts Organizations can request funds for artist fees, contracts, or employment. The grant size ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, with specific funding information indicating $5,000 to $10,000 for eligible expenses, and a funding period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the creation and restoration of jobs within the arts sector and an increase in arts and civic engagement across Southern Arizona. Grantees are required to submit a final report 30 days after the end of the funding period, documenting expenses and providing a brief description of programming. They must also comply with all National Policies, including a Section 504 Self-Assessment, and appoint a Section 504 staff coordinator, ensuring accountability and adherence to program objectives.