Grants for Nonprofits - Arts

The Facility Start-Up/New License Grant, offered by Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) in Maine, aims to support entrepreneurs in establishing new child care facilities or expanding existing ones. This grant provides funding to help new child care businesses cover up to 50% of their start-up costs, with a total award ceiling of $80,000, and a general grant size ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. CEI's mission, though not explicitly detailed in the provided text, can be inferred as supporting economic development and community well-being through strategic investments, particularly in vital services like child care. The target beneficiaries of this grant are individuals and organizations (sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, and employers) interested in starting or expanding child care facilities outside of a home environment. The impact goals are to increase access to quality child care, particularly in specific counties of Maine, and to foster business growth in this essential sector. By providing start-up capital, the program seeks to alleviate financial barriers for new and expanding child care providers, thereby strengthening the child care infrastructure. Priority is given to applications from Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties in Maine, indicating a strategic focus on underserved or high-need areas within the state. Additionally, bonus points are awarded to applicants who commit to providing care for infants and toddlers, serving income-eligible families (those receiving subsidies), and participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. These priorities align with broader goals of supporting vulnerable populations and improving the nutritional well-being of children. The grant funds can be used for a wide range of purposes, including purchasing, renting, or renovating buildings for child care, constructing new facilities, acquiring educational materials, indoor furniture, outdoor learning environments, playground equipment, and health and safety supplies. Importantly, funds can also cover working capital for the first month, including pre-opening payroll and initial food costs. The expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of high-quality child care slots, particularly for infants, toddlers, and income-eligible families, in the designated priority counties. This initiative directly supports community development by addressing critical social and economic needs related to child care accessibility and quality.

The Alachua County Visitors & Convention Bureau is offering Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement Grants. These grants are designed to support and enhance Alachua County as a culturally interesting and vibrant destination by utilizing a portion of the Tourist Development Tax revenue. The core mission of this grant program is to aid in the operations and promotions of arts, cultural, and nature events that primarily aim to attract tourists, thereby aligning with the county's strategic goal of boosting tourism and local economic development through cultural and natural attractions. The target beneficiaries for these grants are legally established arts, nature, or culture organizations whose operations, events, and activities are within Alachua County. This also includes institutions of higher education, with certain request limits. The primary impact goal is to increase tourist attraction to Alachua County, fostering a more vibrant and culturally rich environment for both residents and visitors. The definition of a "tourist" for this grant is a person engaging in trade or recreation outside their county of residence or renting transient accommodations, which directly informs the type of events and promotions that are eligible for funding. The grant program prioritizes events that demonstrably promote activities to tourists, ensuring that the funding directly contributes to the overarching objective of tourism enhancement. Funding levels are determined by the applicant's annual budget, ranging from 10% for budgets over $1,000,000 to 30% for budgets up to $100,000. There is a maximum request of $75,000 for educational agencies, regardless of multiple applications. Special provisions are made for applicants whose primary mission is not audience attraction, requiring a separate event statement with direct expenses and revenues for the program. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of tourists visiting Alachua County, a greater variety and promotion of arts, cultural, and nature events, and enhanced operational capabilities for local organizations. Measurable results would likely involve tracking event attendance by tourists, reported operating revenues, and the extent of promotional activities targeting out-of-county visitors. The program implicitly operates on a theory of change where targeted investment in arts, culture, and nature events, specifically those promoted to tourists, will directly lead to increased tourism revenue and improved local cultural vibrancy, thus benefiting the wider community and economy of Alachua County. The grant period for funded programs and activities is between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Allegheny County to hire consultants for projects that strengthen their capacity and enhance their impact through collaboration.

The City of Rockville in Maryland is offering a grant of over $1 million to local organizations that provide community services and enrichment programs to residents within the city limits, with applications to be submitted by 10/14/2024.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in creating accessible scholarly editions and translations of important humanities texts through collaborative projects.

The U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces the American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP) open competition for one cooperative agreement to support a mentorship residency for music industry professionals from around the world. AMMP is a two-to-three-week U.S.-based mentorship residency for approximately 20 mid-career music industry professionals (mentees) from three to five countries. AMMP is ECAs Global Music Diplomacy Initiatives (GMDI) mentorship program, first announced by U.S. Secretary of State Blinken in September 2023 in response to the PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act. The program seeks to bolster music ecosystems, which play a vital role in fostering diverse and inclusive societies, championing innovation, protecting free expression, promoting economic opportunity, and contributing to the vitality of a civil society. AMMP is facilitated by a partnership between ECA and a private sector partner. With ECA input, the private sector partner will lead the recruitment and selection process and secure American professionals from its membership to serve as mentors, who will volunteer their time. Mentors will be available four days during the in-person program and meet virtually monthly with the mentees for up to a year following the residency. Mentors will provide behind-the-scenes access, bolster the mentees technical skills and build the foundations for lasting professional networks. Mentees will represent careers that support creative talent and build the music industry infrastructure in their home countries and demonstrate English language proficiency. Mentees will be recruited and selected in cooperation with participating U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Areas of specialization, or professional tracks, will be determined each year between the ECA and the private sector partner in cooperation with the award recipient and in line with needs of the participating countries. Mentees will be paired with mentors in the U.S. music industry who are in the same professional track and who bolster mentees professional skills and build networks. Mentees will travel to the United States for a two-to-three-week residency, which will take place in a site(s) that have a music industry presence and/or access to individual experts, from small/niche companies, independent labels, mid-sized companies, and larger industry businesses. During the residency, mentees work with expert workshop facilitators and mentors to receive state-of-the-art-training and industry access. Mentees will participate in professional workshops, small and full group forums, cross-industry collaborations, site visits, and develop post-program action plans. Program activities will provide opportunities for professional networking, career planning, and skills-building that create a holistic professional experience through a robust exchange of ideas and training by utilizing in-person and virtual approaches. Mentors and mentees will meet virtually monthly for approximately one year to develop mentee career plans and ensure sustainable effects of the program. Some of these sessions may occur prior to the in-person residency, but the majority should take place after the mentees have returned to their home countries. The recipient will coordinate and track the virtual component throughout the course of the year-long mentorship. The recipient must manage complex logistics, meet strict timelines, manage the needs of private sector partners and mentors, and promote the program through media and social media and develop a plan to share progress, status, updates and outcomes of program components with relevant stakeholders. Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant. Please see full announcement for additional information.

The various grant programs are structured to address systemic community challenges, reflecting a core alignment with the foundations’ missions to drive change, promote equity, and foster vibrant communities. The Community Foundation (Des Moines) offers three key competitive grants: Leadership, Capacity Building, and Strategic Alignment, all rooted in community plan alignment and focused on inclusive engagement and impact. Leadership Grants are designed to catalyze systems change by investing in solutions that challenge existing systems and address root causes, not just projects. Similarly, the San Antonio Area Foundation employs trust-based philanthropic principles, offering general operating and multi-year support to help non-profits focus on their missions and achieve stability as a direct means to closing opportunity gaps. The grant-making strategies are defined by specific priorities that target key community issues, often reflecting a multi-sectoral and cross-cutting approach. The Minneapolis Foundation’s grants, for instance, focus on priorities like creating an equitable education system (Reimagine Education) and being nimble in response to emerging community needs (OneMPLS), previously addressing issues like affordable housing and pandemic relief. The San Antonio Area Foundation structures its work around four pillars: Cultural Vibrancy, Livable and Resilient Communities, Aging Adults Success, and Youth Success, with activities like building capacity for under-resourced arts groups or supporting programs to strengthen safety nets for older adults. This demonstrates a comprehensive approach where investments aim to address a diverse range of interconnected human, animal, and environmental health issues. Target beneficiaries and high-level impact goals are diverse yet universally focused on empowering vulnerable populations and transforming systems. Beneficiaries include schools, students, small businesses, older adults, youth, and non-profits across various sectors. For instance, the ACDP in Liberia aims to meet the real needs of the most vulnerable rural populations, reducing poverty while strengthening human capital and resilience. Its specific goal is to significantly improve conditions for residents of targeted rural and urban communities through environmentally sustainable and equitable access to basic services by 2025. Other goals include advancing criminal justice reform through the Fund for Safe Communities, and promoting conservation education for K-12 students via specialty grants like the Explore the Ozarks Fund. A strong emphasis is placed on generating clear, measurable results that align with the strategic theory of change—that focused investments lead to demonstrable community benefits. Outcomes are expected to be specific and measurable, often guided by the SMART mnemonic (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound). These expected outcomes describe the consequences and results of the work, detailing the change in participants or the programmatic/operational level. For example, expected results include achieving greater stability for non-profit partners through multi-year support, or, in the public health sphere, strengthening the institutionalization of a functional One Health approach in Liberia to address Public Health events and develop joint policy guidance on prevention, detection, response, and recovery.

The Community Foundation of White County's 2024 Community Cares Grant program aims to support eligible nonprofits serving White County, Indiana, with a total allocation of $45,000 for Round Two. This grant aligns with the Foundation's mission to address community problems, maximize unexpected opportunities, and foster collaboration among agencies. By offering funding for innovative projects, the Foundation seeks to strengthen the White County community and improve the long-term ability of local organizations to provide essential services. The target beneficiaries of this grant are organizations with 501c3 status, including units of government, school corporations, and religious organizations that serve the White County community. The impact goals are broad, focusing on solving community problems, supporting projects with collaborative efforts, and enabling organizations to secure matching funds. The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that reach a wide range of people and enhance an organization's capacity to serve the community over time. The grant prioritizes several types of projects, including start-up costs for new or expanded initiatives with a plan for future support, one-time projects addressing critical needs, and capital improvement projects that are beyond an applicant's current financial means. A significant focus is also placed on projects where the CFWC's support can leverage additional funding from other sources, thereby maximizing the overall impact. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of innovative solutions to community problems, increased collaboration among local agencies, and an improved ability of organizations to serve the White County community over the long term. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the overall impact, the emphasis on reaching as many people as possible and enhancing organizational capacity implies a desire for broad and sustainable positive change within the community. The Foundation's strategic priority is to invest in initiatives that demonstrate long-term viability and significant community benefit, reflecting a theory of change that by supporting critical projects and fostering collaboration, the overall well-being and resilience of White County will be enhanced.

Art Project Program Grant Application Program Overview: The Art Project program provides funding of up to $5,000 to support relevant, meaningful arts activities with value to the community your organization serves. Support may be used to create, perform, exhibit, or publish artistic works; or to present arts events by contracting the services of other organizations or individuals. Important Dates for FY24: Open: April 1, 2024 Deadline: Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Project Start Date: July 1, 2024 Deadlines are firm, applicants are encouraged to finish in advance of the deadline. Assistance is available during normal business hours via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include: State-registered and federally recognized non-profit, tax-exempt organizations Accredited schools Tribal governments Units of government Eligibility Criteria: Organization must be primarily based (permanent address) in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis County (outside Duluth) or of the four Tribal Nations within our region: Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, or Leech Lake (within Itasca County) for at least six months. All Duluth organizations are eligible regardless of budget size. Organizations outside of Duluth with minimum prior year arts operating expenses of $40,000 are eligible. No outstanding or overdue final reports from past funding. Applicants may apply only once per grant round and cannot receive funding from the same grant program twice in a fiscal year. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed for groups without non-profit, tax-exempt status. What Can I Fund? Art supplies Volunteer and administrative costs Advertising, marketing, and promotional materials Equipment or technology purchases (integral to the artistic project, <25% of total request) How Do I Apply? Applications must be completed using the ARAC Grant Portal. Submissions in any other format will not be accepted. Instructions for navigating the online system can be found by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button on our website. Ensure your application includes all required materials. Contact Us: For assistance or inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] during normal business hours. Grant renewed every year.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit initiatives in Houston that enhance health, education, community development, and LGBTQ+ support, particularly for marginalized populations.

This grant provides funding for arts education projects in Warren and Washington Counties, NY, aimed at K-12 schools and community groups to promote hands-on artistic experiences.

The U.S. Mission to NATO is inviting proposals for programs and initiatives that promote an increased understanding of NATO's role in regional peace and security, as well as the rules-based international order. All programs must have a direct tie to the United States, which could involve American experts, organizations, or institutions. The grant aims to support various activities, including academic lectures, cultural workshops, professional exchanges, and digital engagements. The deadline for applications is August 26, 2024, and the expected number of awards is one. The award amounts range from $20,000 to $50,000, making it accessible for various organizations to apply. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities that can contribute to the goals of the program.

The Audience Access (AUD) Grant Program, administered by Francine Andersen, is a grant opportunity provided by the Miami-Dade County government. The program aims to fund arts program-related technology and services that ensure ADA compliance and programmatic access for audiences of all abilities. Examples of eligible services include American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, captioning, audio description, Braille materials, ADA/access training, and other similar services. It is important to note that this grant program does not support entire projects/productions or major capital/facilities projects or improvements such as construction or renovation. The maximum grant request is $5,000, and funded projects will be paid on a reimbursement basis upon project completion and submission of a correct and complete final report with all required documentation. Applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the project/event start date, and applicants may apply once per fiscal year. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information on eligibility requirements and guidelines, please refer to the AUD Grant program guidelines provided on their website.

The Town of Flower Mound's Community Support program offers annual funding to non-profit organizations. This program aims to support activities, programs, and services that directly benefit Flower Mound residents. The Town's mission, though not explicitly detailed as a "foundation mission," aligns with fostering community well-being by empowering local organizations to address social services and cultural arts needs within its jurisdiction. This grant mechanism serves as a strategic priority to leverage community partnerships for local development and resident support, embodying a theory of change that by funding local initiatives, the overall quality of life for its citizens will improve. Target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Flower Mound, who will receive direct services through the funded organizations. The impact goals include enhancing social services and cultural arts offerings within the community. The program prioritizes organizations that can demonstrate a clear benefit to the Town, aiming to improve various aspects of community life. For example, social service programs could lead to improved access to essential resources, while cultural arts initiatives could enrich community engagement and appreciation for the arts. The program focuses on organizations that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities, have been in operation for at least three years, and meet specific financial criteria, including not relying on the Town's funding for more than 25% of their operating budget and generally having no more than six months of operating expenses in reserve. These requirements ensure that funding goes to stable and well-managed organizations capable of delivering sustained impact. Exceptions for reserve requirements are considered with a clear explanation, demonstrating the Town's flexibility while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Expected outcomes and measurable results are tied to the information required in the application. Applicants must specify the funding amount requested, anticipated benefits to the Town, and statistics on service levels (both actual and as a percentage of total services). They also need to describe the intended use of funds, provide an organizational overview, detail goals from the most recent fiscal year, set goals and objectives for the proposed year, and explain any funding request increases. These requirements ensure accountability and allow the Town to assess the tangible benefits and reach of the funded programs, demonstrating a commitment to data-driven decision-making and measurable impact.

The United Engineering Foundation provides grants to advance engineering arts and sciences for the welfare of humanity. The foundation prioritizes programs in diversity, emerging technologies, engineering ethics, safety, security and leadership, and kindergarten through grade 12 education. Preference is given to innovative, broad based, interdisciplinary programs that integrate multiple engineering fields, include community outreach, and are collaborative across organizations. Projects outside an organization’s routine operations are preferred. Multiple year proposals are welcome, but funding is awarded one year at a time, and projects must be performed between January and December of the grant year. Proposals specifying that funds will not offset existing staff salaries are preferred. Eligible applicants are U.S. based organizations classified as 501(c)(3). Technical research proposals and proposals by individuals are seldom accepted. Proposals must meet submission deadlines and page limitations established by the foundation. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the foundation’s process. Grant size and duration are not stated. Additional information is available from the United Engineering Foundation.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in the Charlottesville area to create innovative projects that combine environmental education with the visual and performing arts for children who have limited access to these experiences.

This funding opportunity supports projects that empower young Rwandans through education, cultural exchange, and economic development, focusing on areas like STEM, media literacy, and sports diplomacy.

This grant provides funding to registered non-profit organizations in Washington for specific projects that promote financial literacy, support low-income community members, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The LA County Department of Arts and Culture is offering a two-year Organizational Grant Program for Los Angeles County nonprofit arts organizations to fund projects that increase accessibility, sustainability, and capacity in arts programming, with eligibility criteria including tax-exempt status, a primary mission in arts programming, and a minimum of two years of programming history in the county.

The Creative Economy Fund, formerly known as the Creative Industries Incentive Fund, is an initiative by the City of San José Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI). CCI is a nonprofit intermediary dedicated to the economic security of individuals in the arts. The fund awards project grants to arts, cultural, and creative-based commercial businesses located within the City of San José. These businesses can be involved in the production or distribution of the arts, encompassing manufacturers, service providers, presenters, and designers. The program's mission is aligned with enhancing San José’s creative economy and bolstering the growth and financial resilience of small arts, cultural, and creative-based businesses, as well as providing financial support to artists and creative entrepreneurs across all disciplines, both non-commercial and commercial. The primary target beneficiaries of the Creative Economy Fund are commercial enterprises, including small businesses (defined as those with 35 employees or less by the City of San José) and sole proprietorships. These businesses must be based in San José and primarily provide a cultural, creative, or arts-related service or product. They must also be in good standing with the City of San José, holding an active business tax certificate. The fund explicitly supports projects and activities aimed at building successful arts, cultural, and creative-based small businesses, fostering economic stability and growth within the creative sector. For the 2024 grantmaking round, a total of $40,000 is available, with grants of up to $8,000 awarded through a competitive application process. The program prioritizes applicants who contribute to the city’s cultural vibrancy, demonstrate readiness for project implementation, and show potential for growth and greater financial resilience. A key focus is on demonstrating economic impact, such as attracting visitors, generating sales tax, and creating jobs within San José. Competitive applicants are also expected to reflect the City’s diverse cultural communities and creative-based commercial landscape, ensuring equitable and inclusive support for the creative sector. The expected outcomes and measurable results include enhancing the creative economy, increasing the growth and financial resilience of small arts, cultural, and creative-based businesses, and providing financial support to artists and creative entrepreneurs. The period of support for projects is from September 2024 to September 2025. The fund's strategic priorities are to strengthen the economic foundation of San José's creative sector, facilitate business development, and promote cultural vibrancy. The theory of change posits that by providing targeted financial support and capacity building to creative businesses and entrepreneurs, the fund will stimulate local economic activity, create jobs, and enrich the cultural landscape of San José, ultimately leading to a more robust and resilient creative economy.