The San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture, along with its Arts Commission, has announced the 2025 Grants Program aimed at providing general support funding for eligible arts and culture nonprofit organizations. This program is designed to assist organizations located in or serving San Mateo County, allowing them the flexibility to utilize the funds in ways that best support their individual needs and enhance their overall organizational health and sustainability. The initiative emphasizes the importance of collaboration in fostering a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem that contributes to a creative and healthy community.
The primary purpose of the grant is to offer financial support that can be used for various organizational needs, including overhead costs, salaries, and other operational expenses. The program seeks to maintain equitable and trust-based grantmaking practices by fostering respectful relationships between the Office of Arts and Culture, the Arts Commission, and the grantees. This includes engaging diverse perspectives and community voices, ensuring clarity and transparency in communications, and providing a streamlined online application and reporting system that is accessible and user-friendly.
Eligible applicants must be arts or cultural organizations that are either located in or serve residents of San Mateo County. They must be recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a fiscally sponsored organization in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service, or they may be a local public agency or entity. Additionally, organizations must have been in operation for at least one year and have an annual budget of less than one million dollars.
The grant period for the 2025 program will run from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The application process will involve a review by an expert panel of peer readers who represent the diversity of the county, alongside staff from the Office of Arts and Culture. This panel will evaluate applications based on established funding priorities and make recommendations to the Arts Commissioners.
Submission requirements and specific application questions have not been detailed in the provided information. However, interested organizations are encouraged to visit the County of San Mateo's website for further details and updates regarding the application process. The deadline for submitting applications is set for October 30, 2024.
The program is part of a broader commitment to support the arts and culture sector within San Mateo County, with a focus on enhancing community engagement and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Organizations that align with these values and meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for this grant opportunity. For additional inquiries, potential applicants can reach out to Mara Grimes via email or phone for more information.
