Support for Regrants and Services Program

The Support for Regrants and Services program is administered by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), a state agency dedicated to fostering and advancing arts, culture, and creativity across New York State. NYSCA works through partnerships with nonprofit organizations to expand access to funding opportunities that are not directly offered by the agency itself. This program specifically supports organizations that can administer regrant programs, provide technical assistance, and deliver targeted services that enhance public engagement and creative activity across all regions of the state. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to extend the reach of NYSCA resources by leveraging qualified intermediary organizations with demonstrated service capacity. These organizations distribute funds to artists, cultural organizations, and communities, particularly in areas where direct funding mechanisms may be limited. The program emphasizes creativity, public service, and strong managerial and financial practices. It also aligns with NYSCA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, encouraging applicants to serve historically underrepresented populations and expand equitable participation in the arts. Funding under this opportunity may be used to support a variety of programmatic and administrative activities related to regranting and service delivery. Eligible expenses include staffing, programmatic costs, marketing, and operational expenses directly tied to New York State-based arts activities. However, administrative costs associated with delivering services should generally not exceed 15 percent of total program costs. Funds are restricted to in-state use and cannot support capital expenses, out-of-state travel, lobbying, entertainment costs, or activities not open to the public. Additionally, organizations must report on the distribution of funds and provide demographic information about recipients. Eligibility for this program is highly selective, as it is offered by invitation only. Organizations must demonstrate a primary mission and track record in arts and cultural programming, fiscal stability, and the capacity to manage regrant programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, state or federally recognized Native American nations, and units of local or federal government operating in New York State. Applicants must also meet minimum financial thresholds, including at least $20,000 in New York State-based arts and culture operating expenses in their most recent fiscal year, and must maintain appropriate governance structures, including qualified staff and an active board of directors. The application process requires organizations to complete prequalification through the New York State Statewide Financial System before submitting an application via the SmartSimple portal. Applicants must provide detailed narrative responses addressing program design, outreach strategies, evaluation methods, staffing, and financial planning. Required supporting materials include beneficiary lists, project budgets, and organizational financial data. Applications are reviewed by advisory panels using a scoring rubric based on creativity, public service, and managerial and financial capacity. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications open on June 2, 2026, and awards are expected to be announced by December 2026. Funded activities generally take place during the 2027 calendar year. The program is part of NYSCA’s recurring annual funding cycle, although applicants must be invited each year to participate. Organizations are encouraged to submit questions in advance, though NYSCA may not be able to respond to all inquiries due to volume. For additional information or assistance, applicants are directed to contact NYSCA program staff aligned with their discipline area. Technical assistance for the application portal is also available via email. Full program guidelines and the application manual are available in the official documentation.

Align proposal clearly with NYSCA mission and evaluation criteria; demonstrate strong outreach to underserved communities; provide clear financial and managerial structure