State Arts Grants

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering a grant of over $1 million, with a total funding of $10,000,000, to educational and non-profit organizations in Urbana, Illinois, to promote bioprocessing through infrastructure and capital equipment expansion, increased training opportunities, and short course offerings, with the project having been partially funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program.

The North Dakota Council on the Arts offers the Community Arts Access Tier 1 & 2 grant, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, to support arts activities such as festivals, exhibitions, and performances by eligible North Dakota-based nonprofit and public entities, with the aim of enhancing programming quality, expanding audiences, and promoting arts appreciation within the state.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to innovative technology startups in Minnesota for research, development, and business expenses, helping them grow and succeed in their early years.

This grant provides funding to Maine-based organizations and communities for projects that celebrate and educate about the state's historical contributions in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

This grant provides financial support for North Dakota schools and organizations to collaborate with professional artists, enhancing arts education for pre-K-12 students and teachers.

This program provides funding to expand high-speed internet access in underserved areas of Pennsylvania, targeting households and businesses lacking adequate broadband service.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Washington that create arts programs for military personnel, veterans, and their families.

This program provides financial support to Vermont's agricultural fairs and field days, helping them with infrastructure projects and operational costs to promote local agriculture and community engagement.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is offering a competitive grant of over $1 million for California dairy and livestock operations to implement non-digester manure management practices and technologies that reduce long-term methane emissions and maximize environmental benefits, with applications due by October 18, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Minnesota school districts and organizations to help adults and high school students pursue careers in education, with a focus on increasing diversity and addressing teacher shortages.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health (BWCH) oversees Adolescent Health programming to improve the health and well-being of young people in the state. As of 2005, BWCH has been administering state lottery funds for the prevention of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to the Arizona Vital Statistics, from 2011 to 2021, the teen birth rate for Arizona teenagers ages fifteen through nineteen (15-19) has declined from thirty-six point nine (36.9) to fifteen point three (15.3) per 1,000 females. The repeat birth rates of youth of the same age, who had already had a child decreased from 142.7 in 2011 to 135.8 per 1,000 in 2021. Despite the declines, birth rates for Arizona teens ages fifteen through nineteen (15-19)   exceeds   the   national   rate   of   thirteen   point   nine   (13.9)   in   2021 (https://blogs.cdc.gov/nchs/2023/01/20/7245/). Arizona's racial and ethnic groups exhibit significant disparities in teen pregnancy rates, with Hispanic, American Indian, and African American females aged nineteen (19) or younger experiencing the highest rates. In 2021, American Indian youth had a notably elevated pregnancy rate of sixteen point three (16.3) per 1,000 females, surpassing the state average of ten point six (10.6) per 1,000. Similarly, rates for Hispanic or Latino youth were fourteen point four (14.4) per 1,000, and for Black or African American youth, they were twelve point six (12.6) per 1,000, both above the state average, while rates for White Non-Hispanics six (6) per 1,000 and Asian or Pacific Islanders three point four (3.4) per 1,000 were considerably lower. Teen pregnancy is intricately linked with complex factors such as school failure, behavioral issues, and family challenges, which often hinder youths’ ability to avoid pregnancy. Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs present a promising approach by emphasizing the enhancement of protective factors over merely addressing risk behaviors. These programs have shown efficacy in reducing sexual risk behaviors, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancies. By fostering ongoing development and maturation, PYD programs empower youth to recognize and manage risk-taking behaviors, making them a viable strategy for teen pregnancy prevention (Gavin et al., 2010). According to the 2021 Arizona Surveillance STD case data, forty-nine percent (49%) of STD cases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) in Arizona were among adolescents under the age of twenty-five (25). Since 2019, the rate of chlamydia among teenagers fifteen through nineteen (15-19) years old has been slowly decreasing but still remains high at 2,031 per 100,000 in 2019 to 1,729 per 100,000 in 2021. For gonorrhea, the rate among these teenagers increased from 384 per 100,000 in 2019 to 467 per 100,000 in 2021. As for syphilis, in 2019, twenty-two (22) per 100,000 fifteen through nineteen (15-19) year-old teenagers were reported to have syphilis, increasing to twenty-six (26) per 100,000 in 2021. Regarding STDs/STIs, major disparities between Arizona’s racial and ethnic groups also persist. The Arizona 2021 Annual STD Report indicates that Black (994 per 100,000) and American Indian/Alaska Native (787 per 100,000) populations have consistently higher rates of chlamydia, the Black population (763 per 100,000) continues to have the highest rate of gonorrhea, and the American Indian/Alaska Native (172 per 100,000) and Black (123 per 100,000) populations have the highest rates of syphilis, surpassing their Hispanic, White, and Asian/Pacific Islander counterparts. Financial Notes: Approximately $700,000.00 will be available each Grant year for a five (5) year grant period to provide services to youth for the prevention of teen pregnancies and STIs. Annual funding for services will be provided during the state fiscal year, from July through June; Therefore, the first and last years of funding will be partial funding: first year funded upon award through June 30, 2025; fifth year from July 1, 2029 through September 30, 2029. Budgets will be reviewed annually and may be decreased based on: 1. Changes in state lottery funding allocations. 2. Failure to meet the number of youths proposed to be served; or meet the required program completion by youth for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programming. 3. Failure to comply with Grant requirements. 4. Negative audit findings. 5. Failure to spend budget funds efficiently.

This program provides a no-cost, 20-week development opportunity for small business owners in Massachusetts, Maine, or Rhode Island to receive mentorship and resources to grow their businesses and positively impact their communities.

This grant provides funding to K–12 public schools and nonprofit arts organizations in North Carolina to deliver high-quality arts performances and residencies that promote student resilience and emotional well-being.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is offering grants under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. This program aims to transform the food system by increasing options, improving access, and creating new and better markets for small and mid-size producers. The core mission is to build a more diversified, distributed, and local food system to enhance its resilience and benefit consumers, producers, and rural communities. The RFSI program targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including agricultural producers and processors (or groups thereof), nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, local government entities, tribal governments, and institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals. The primary impact goal is to strengthen the middle of the food supply chain in Pennsylvania. Expected outcomes include increased production capacities for food processors, improved storage for produce and grains, and enhanced aggregation points like food hubs and farmer cooperatives. Funding priorities are aligned with addressing critical gaps in Pennsylvania's middle food supply chain. Specifically, the program prioritizes projects that establish or enhance aggregation points, improve food processing infrastructure (including equipment upgrades and moves to licensed spaces), and expand storage facilities, particularly cold storage in urban areas and storage for identity-preserved grains and dry beans. The USDA also encourages projects that benefit underserved farmers and ranchers, new and beginning farmers, veteran producers, and businesses owned by socially disadvantaged individuals. The grant program offers Simplified Equipment-Only Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, which do not require cost sharing or matching. These are fixed-price grants solely for equipment purchases, with funds to be awarded no earlier than July 1, 2024, and projects completed by June 30, 2026. This focused approach on equipment aims to directly support tangible improvements in the food system's infrastructure, enabling producers and processors to expand and diversify their operations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for the construction, renovation, or enhancement of arts facilities in Alabama, benefiting local arts organizations and communities.

The 2025 Massachusetts 250 Grant Program, offered by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), is a competitive grant designed to fund programming and interpretation related to the American Revolution in Massachusetts. The program aims to increase tourism and travel within the state by highlighting its pivotal role in the nation's founding. This aligns with a broader mission to promote Massachusetts' historical significance and attract visitors, thereby bolstering the state's economic development through tourism. The grant targets municipalities, public agencies, tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations (501(c)3, 501(c)5, or 501(c)6) operating in Massachusetts. Eligible projects must demonstrate a direct connection to the American Revolution, link to themes of revolution and independence, celebrate significant historical "firsts" in Massachusetts, or offer creative approaches to commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial. The program emphasizes that grant funds can be utilized for both programming and marketing initiatives. The primary priorities and focus areas for this grant include fostering a deeper understanding of the American Revolution's impact in Massachusetts and enhancing the state's appeal as a historical destination. The grant's strategic priorities are centered on supporting projects that interpret and tell these stories effectively, ultimately driving increased tourism. This implicitly supports a theory of change where investments in historical programming and marketing lead to greater engagement, visitor numbers, and economic benefits for the state. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in tourism and travel to and within Massachusetts, successful programming that engages visitors with the American Revolution, and effective marketing campaigns that raise awareness of Massachusetts' historical significance. While specific quantitative metrics are not detailed, the competitive nature of the grant and the emphasis on increasing tourism suggest that successful applicants will demonstrate a clear plan for achieving these outcomes and, presumably, for measuring their impact. The program anticipates awarding up to $1,500,000 in FY25, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. This substantial funding demonstrates the state's commitment to commemorating the American Revolution and leveraging its historical assets for economic growth. Eligibility also requires compliance with regulations such as the MBTA Communities Act for municipal applicants, good standing with the Commonwealth, and current tax payments, ensuring responsible use of public funds.

The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) offers Support for Targeted Opportunities, a grant program designed to enhance artistic diversity across New York State by valuing artists and creative expression. This aligns with NYSCA's mission to provide support that strengthens the arts and cultural sector within the state. The program focuses on creative performance residencies, subsidized rehearsal spaces for all performing art forms, and folk arts apprenticeships, reflecting a commitment to fostering a wide range of artistic endeavors. The target beneficiaries of this program are nonprofit organizations, State- or Federally-recognized Native American nations, or units of local or federal government in New York State. The program aims to support organizations that provide opportunities for artists and promote diverse artistic expressions. The impact goals include increasing access to resources for performing artists and folk artists, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of New York State. Key priorities and focuses for FY2025 include Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, Rehearsal and Studio Space for Performing Arts, and Performing Arts Residencies. These specific opportunities demonstrate NYSCA's strategic approach to addressing critical needs within the arts community, ensuring that artists have the necessary support to develop and present their work. The emphasis on these areas suggests a theory of change that by providing foundational support, artistic innovation and accessibility will flourish. The expected outcomes include a greater number of creative performances, increased availability of affordable rehearsal spaces, and the preservation and transmission of folk and traditional arts through apprenticeships. Measurable results for this program are indicated by the award amount of $10,000 for each successful application, providing a tangible measure of the support extended to eligible organizations. The program’s focus on fostering artistic diversity and supporting various art forms underscores NYSCA's broader strategic priorities in cultural development and community engagement.

This program provides financial support for a variety of arts-related projects in Iowa, targeting organizations and initiatives that promote regional and statewide arts events or align with strategic arts goals.

The 2025 Mobility and Transportation Innovation (MTI) Grant Program, offered by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, is designed to foster innovative strategies and projects aimed at improving mobility and access for transit-dependent Vermonters, while simultaneously working to reduce the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The program aligns with a broader mission to create more sustainable and accessible transportation options within the state. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are transit-dependent Vermonters, along with employers and employees seeking to adopt Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures. The grant's impact goals are clearly defined, focusing on enhancing mobility and access for these transit-dependent individuals, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing the overall use of single-occupancy vehicles. These goals are also intended to complement existing mobility investments within Vermont. The MTI Grant Program prioritizes several key focal areas. These include the extension and creation of new TDM programs, the development and marketing of TDM resources, the expansion of first-mile/last-mile programs, and providing support for employers and employees to adopt TDM measures. Furthermore, it encourages the implementation of planned TDM programs such as bike share, car share, and microtransit initiatives. Funds can be utilized for various purposes, including matching funds for other TDM grant awards, covering TDM program delivery costs, microtransit planning and implementation, and both capital and operational expenses. The program categorizes grants into Small (around $10,000), Medium (around $50,000), and Large (around $100,000+) to accommodate diverse project scopes. Expected outcomes and measurable results are directly tied to the performance metrics, which emphasize improved mobility and access, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a decrease in single-occupancy vehicle use. While the "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed as a separate foundation, the Vermont Agency of Transportation's initiative implicitly operates on the theory that strategic investment in innovative transportation solutions and TDM will lead to measurable improvements in public mobility, environmental sustainability, and overall community well-being by empowering transit-dependent populations and fostering more sustainable travel behaviors.

This grant provides funding to Delaware-based nonprofit organizations and government entities for community-focused arts projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.