Private Arts Grants

This funding initiative provides $5,000 to support independent animation worker cooperatives in California that focus on creating inclusive stories and promoting equity in the creative industry.

The Bothin Foundation Grant Program is designed to support direct service organizations in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, and San Mateo counties. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by its grant priorities and eligibility criteria, is to enhance the well-being of disadvantaged children and youth, low-income families with children, and people with disabilities. The program focuses on capital projects, aligning with a strategic priority to make durable, long-lasting investments that directly benefit program participants and improve the infrastructure of critical direct service organizations. The grant program targets organizations serving a significant number of residents in the specified counties, with a particular emphasis on those serving at least 50% disadvantaged children and youth, low-income families, and/or people with disabilities. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by funding capital projects—such as building renovations, equipment purchases, technology upgrades, and vehicle acquisitions—it can enhance the capacity of direct service organizations to deliver effective services, thereby achieving a positive and lasting impact on their beneficiaries. Key priorities for funding include building construction and renovation (for contracted labor directly associated with the project), equipment and furnishing (especially items used by or benefiting program participants), technology, and vehicles that transport participants. The foundation explicitly states what it does not fund, such as planning for capital projects, staff time for project management, insurance for vehicles, or general operating expenses, which further refines its strategic focus on tangible capital improvements. Successful applications are those that propose capital projects that can be completed within 12 months, represent durable capital investments, and are submitted by direct service organizations meeting the beneficiary criteria. The grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with a maximum grant size of $50,000. Expected outcomes include improved facilities, enhanced program delivery through new equipment and technology, and better access to services through reliable transportation, all contributing to the foundation’s overarching goal of supporting vulnerable populations in its target regions. The foundation’s strategic priorities are clearly centered on strengthening the physical and operational assets of organizations directly serving those in need.

This grant provides funding for innovative projects that improve dental care access for residents in Massachusetts, prioritizing community support and measurable outcomes.

The AARP Foundation is offering capacity building grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for a period of 2 years to organizations that aim to enhance their resources and services to better connect adults aged 50 and above to health essentials programs, with a preference for projects serving communities facing systemic barriers and economic instability.

The Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust offers grants to organizations that develop programs centered around arts, music, crafts, conservation, wildlife, and history preservation. The trust's mission is aligned with supporting initiatives that enrich communities through cultural, environmental, and historical engagement. The grants are intended to confer a benefit upon the citizens, particularly children and adults, in the towns of Westport and Dartmouth, and the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The primary target beneficiaries are children and adults residing in Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford, MA, who will participate in educational or cultural experiences. The impact goals include fostering appreciation and understanding of the arts, music, crafts, conservation, wildlife, and local history within these communities, thereby enhancing the quality of life and cultural enrichment for residents. The trust's priorities and focuses are clearly defined: programs must relate to conservation, wildlife, history of the area, and/or the promotion of music, the arts, and crafts. While open to all counties, there is a strong preference for programs that directly benefit Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford. Furthermore, proposals of equal merit will be prioritized if submitted by organizations located within the Town of Westport, MA, highlighting a strategic focus on local community development. Expected outcomes include increased participation in cultural and educational programs, greater awareness of local history and environmental issues, and the promotion of artistic and musical expression among the target populations. Measurable results could include attendance numbers at events, participant feedback, and the successful execution of conservation or preservation projects. The foundation's strategic priority is to support programs that align with its core thematic areas and demonstrate a direct benefit to the specified Massachusetts communities.

This grant provides funding to local nonprofits in Indian River County, Florida, to support impactful projects that enhance community well-being in areas such as arts, education, health, and the environment.

The Colorado Gives Foundation is offering the Convenient Neighborhoods Grant Program, a funding opportunity designed to bolster community spaces in Jefferson County, Colorado. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance the health and well-being of all Jefferson County residents by ensuring easy access to essential amenities. These amenities include parks, transportation hubs, farmers markets, and recreation centers, with a particular emphasis on fostering easy and safe access to public transportation, bike-friendly routes, and accessible paths. The foundation's strategic priority is to help Jefferson County thrive by supporting organizations committed to serving its residents and demonstrating measurable impact within the county. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Jefferson County, with a focus on increasing their access to public transportation, improving neighborhood mobility, and expanding outdoor green spaces. The program aims to achieve several impact goals: increasing access and enrollment in public transportation benefits, advocating for policies that facilitate public transportation access and neighborhood mobility, and developing and preserving outdoor green spaces and community gathering places. These goals reflect the foundation's theory of change, which posits that improved access to these resources will lead to better overall health and well-being for the community. The grant program prioritizes organizations that are advancing work in specific areas. These include supporting efforts to increase access and enrollment in public transportation benefits, advocating for policies to enhance public transportation access, improve neighborhood mobility, and increase outdoor green spaces. Additionally, the program supports initiatives to develop and preserve outdoor green spaces, such as parks and open areas, and community gathering places like integrated community hubs and recreation centers. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number of Jefferson County residents served, a higher percentage of organizational budget applied to Jeffco-specific programs, and the implementation of concrete programs directly focused on Jeffco populations. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or operating under fiscal sponsorship and must demonstrate a clear commitment to serving Jefferson County residents. The grant offers typical funding between $5,000 and $25,000 per year, for a project period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026, with a grant duration of two years.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for the construction and renovation of child care and early learning facilities in King County, prioritizing projects that serve low-income, BIPOC, and underserved communities.

The Centre Foundation's Field-of-Interest grant program, open to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental units in Centre County, Pennsylvania, offers $162,914 in funding for projects focusing on education, health, social services, arts, and youth development, to be used within a year starting from December 2024.

This grant provides funding to professional artists in Sullivan County to support their creative work and encourage community engagement through public exhibitions or performances.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in nine Pennsylvania counties that offer programs and services for young children affected by abuse, focusing on creating safe and joyful environments.

This grant provides financial support and resources to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that are developing innovative solutions to improve healthcare access for underserved communities.

The GrowBoston grant program offers a total of $15,000 to nonprofit organizations to support outreach and community-building events related to urban agriculture. The primary goal of this grant is to engage Boston residents more deeply in existing urban agricultural resources and broader urban agriculture activities. These events must be open to the public and focus on activities such as gardening, farming, food forest stewardship, beekeeping, henkeeping, and the consumption of locally-produced food. This initiative aligns with a mission to foster community engagement and education around sustainable food practices within urban environments, directly contributing to local food production and awareness. The target beneficiaries are Boston residents, with a particular focus on engaging them in various aspects of urban food production. The impact goals include increasing public participation in urban agriculture, enhancing community connection to local food systems, and promoting a greater understanding of sustainable living practices. The program prioritizes events that are planned for spring or summer 2024 and are specifically focused on Boston-based food production or urban agriculture. Examples of eligible events include garden-opening events, farm or food forest "open houses," and farmers market opening days, as long as they highlight urban agriculture. The expected outcomes of this grant program are a more engaged and informed Boston populace regarding urban agriculture. Measurable results could include the number of events hosted, the total attendance at these events, and the diversity of urban agriculture topics covered. While educational components are not mandatory, their inclusion would further support the program's objectives. The overarching strategic priority is to strengthen Boston's urban food ecosystem by encouraging community participation and utilizing existing resources effectively. The theory of change behind this grant program is that by funding accessible, public events focused on urban agriculture, GrowBoston can increase residents' engagement and knowledge, leading to a more robust and sustainable local food system. By supporting community-building initiatives, the program aims to cultivate a sense of collective responsibility and participation in urban food production. Allowable uses of funding include event supplies, food, non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment, and outreach materials, with up to 10% for indirect/administrative costs. This ensures that the grants directly facilitate event execution and community outreach, reinforcing the program's core objectives.

South Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, offers small Micro Accessibility Grants designed to supplement existing efforts by arts organizations to engage audiences and artists with disabilities. This initiative aligns with South Arts' core belief that "the arts are for everyone" and that "the arts enrich the lives of people of all abilities and backgrounds." By providing micro-funding, South Arts aims to amplify the success of the Southeast's arts ecology, ensuring broader access and participation. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are arts organizations located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Specifically, South Arts seeks to support organizations with a primary mission focused on the arts, those serving as primary arts providers in their communities, or those committed to projects connecting the arts to persons with disabilities. A key impact goal is to encourage arts organizations to hire artistic personnel of all abilities, with a particular emphasis on working directly with artists who identify as disabled, thereby fostering a more inclusive and diverse artistic landscape. South Arts prioritizes applications from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying organizations, as well as organizations led by persons with disabilities or those providing significant programming to artists or audiences with disabilities. Furthermore, there is a strong commitment to funding arts organizations in rural communities with populations under 50,000. These strategic priorities underscore South Arts' theory of change, which posits that by supporting diverse leadership and inclusive programming, they can foster a more equitable and accessible arts environment across the Southeast. Applicants can request funding of $500-$2,500 for eligible projects, with a requirement for a 1:1 funding match, where 50% must be a cash match. Expected outcomes include increased participation of artists and audiences with disabilities in arts programming and a strengthening of arts organizations' capacity to serve these communities. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the focus on direct engagement with disabled artists and audiences suggests that success will be gauged by the reach and inclusivity of funded projects within the South Arts service region.

This funding initiative provides financial support to individual artists and cultural professionals in Pennsylvania who have experienced economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This program seeks passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds to become community facilitators, leading workshops on early childhood development and equity for families with children from prenatal to age 5 in Washington.

Travel Paso is accepting applications for its 2025 Community Event Marketing Grant, aimed at supporting local events that align with its mission to promote Paso Robles, with a focus on collaboration, diversity, variety, and sustainability, and encourages applicants to outline their marketing strategies, event timing, measurement of overnight stays, and potential for partnership with Travel Paso.

The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation at the University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Paul Robeson House & Museum (PRHM), has launched the West Philadelphia Creative Grants, a funding opportunity designed to bolster the creative community within West Philadelphia. This initiative aligns with the broader mission of supporting artistic and cultural endeavors that directly benefit the local community. The program offers two distinct grant types: Project Grants, which fund art projects and cultural activities up to $5,000, and General Operating Grants, which provide ongoing operational support for artists and organizations, up to $2,500. This multi-faceted approach demonstrates a commitment to fostering both specific creative projects and the sustained health of the artistic ecosystem. The primary target beneficiaries of these grants are individual artists and community and civic groups residing in or with significant ties to West Philadelphia. A crucial eligibility criterion is that applicants must be at least 18 years of age and identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) or as a BIPOC-led group or organization. This focus on BIPOC artists and organizations highlights a strategic priority to address historical inequities and empower underrepresented voices within the West Philadelphia creative landscape. The program encourages applications from a wide array of groups, including community centers, educators, collectives, and artists of all types, from emerging to career professionals. The impact goals of the West Philadelphia Creative Grants are clear: to support creative projects and cultural activities that directly benefit the West Philadelphia community, while also providing essential general operating support for artists and organizations. By investing in both project-specific initiatives and organizational stability, the program aims to cultivate a vibrant and sustainable creative environment. The expected outcomes include a greater number of culturally enriching activities, enhanced artistic output, and increased capacity for local artists and organizations to continue their work within the community. While the description does not explicitly detail the foundation's strategic priorities or a formal theory of change, the program's structure and eligibility criteria strongly suggest an underlying strategy. The emphasis on West Philadelphia and BIPOC leadership indicates a commitment to community-centric development and social equity through the arts. The provision of both project and general operating support reflects an understanding that a holistic approach is necessary for fostering long-term impact and measurable results within the creative sector. The successful execution of these grants is expected to demonstrate a tangible positive influence on the cultural vitality and community well-being of West Philadelphia.

The Zoo Labs: FUND, administered in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), is a funding and investment initiative designed to support Bay Area entrepreneurs who are launching or growing businesses centered around music. With a strong emphasis on culturally-rooted artist teams, the program offers unrestricted funding to music ventures that align with values of cultural preservation, innovation, economic empowerment, and community enrichment. In 2025, the FUND will distribute a total of $230,000 in grants, prioritizing artist teams that face barriers to accessing capital and are committed to contributing to the Bay Area's creative ecosystem. Zoo Labs: FUND provides grants in four tiers: $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, and $50,000, with award size contingent upon the team’s business development stage. Eligibility requires applicant teams of at least two individuals, including one culturally-rooted artist, who all reside full-time in specified Bay Area counties. Teams may include various roles such as content creators, producers, engineers, and advisors, and must be operating a music-centered business, whether as a nonprofit, sole proprietorship, or for-profit organization. Prior grantees may reapply if they meet reporting and mentorship obligations from previous awards. Applicants must complete an online submission through CCI’s Submittable platform between May 19 and July 7, 2025. Required materials include a team pitch video, business matrix, one work sample, and a budget with notes. Applications are assessed based on the strength of the team, artistry and craft, entrepreneurship, and internal and external community impact. An independent panel reflecting diverse backgrounds will review the materials and recommend grantees. The notification of awards is scheduled for September 8, 2025. In addition to receiving financial support, awardees gain access to mentorship opportunities through Zoo Labs: LEARN. These include on-demand courses, virtual networking sessions, and for higher-tier recipients, a strategy session with Zoo Labs Co-Founder Vinitha Watson. All grantees must attend a virtual orientation on October 15, 2025, and participate in at least one one-on-one business mentorship session. Recipients of $25,000 or $50,000 grants are also invited to serve as voluntary mentors to future applicants. The grant supports activities from September 2025 through September 2026. For assistance, applicants can contact CCI via email at [email protected] or phone at 415.288.0530. Additional technical support is available through Submittable. Information sessions and office hours are scheduled throughout June and early July to assist prospective applicants in preparing strong submissions. All applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines, FAQs, and application preview before seeking support. The Zoo Labs: FUND is made possible with support from Vinitha and David Watson and individual donors. Contributions are welcomed to expand the program’s reach. The FUND continues to invest in artistic legacies that reflect the diversity, resilience, and creativity of Bay Area communities.

The Eric A. Baade and Mary C. Baade Charitable Purposes Trust, managed by Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services, focuses on supporting a diverse range of charitable activities primarily within Allen County, Indiana. The trust emphasizes grants in the areas of arts, culture, and humanities, including libraries, museums, and historical societies, as well as education, environmental quality, protection, beautification, health, animal-related programs, and human services. Although there are no geographic restrictions within Indiana, preference is given to organizations in Allen County. Eligible applicants must be exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Award consideration at the annual grant meeting in June. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: May 1st