StartUp Program Grants

The Delaware Division of the Arts StartUp Program is a statewide grant initiative designed to strengthen the organizational and management capacity of emerging nonprofit arts organizations in Delaware while providing modest operational funding support. Administered by the Delaware Division of the Arts, the program serves as the required entry point for newly formed arts organizations, organizations applying to the Division for the first time, and organizations that have experienced a lapse in General Operating Support funding. Completion of the StartUp Program is required before organizations may apply for the Division’s General Operating Support, Education Resource, or Arts Stabilization Fund programs. The initiative is intended to help arts organizations establish sustainable governance, sound operational practices, and stronger administrative systems while preparing them for long-term participation in Delaware’s public arts funding infrastructure. The StartUp Program combines direct operating support funding with structured technical assistance and nonprofit management training. Organizations accepted into the program may receive operating support grants of up to $2,500. In addition to financial support, participants are paired with a Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant through the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement. The consulting and training process is customized to each organization’s needs and may include guidance related to mission development, strategic planning, leadership, board governance, volunteer management, legal compliance, ethics, finance and operations, fundraising, advocacy, public engagement, and evaluation practices. The program emphasizes organizational growth and sustainability by helping participating organizations adopt nationally recognized nonprofit management standards and practices. To qualify for funding, applicants must be nonprofit arts organizations based and chartered in Delaware. Eligible organizations must have the promotion, presentation, production, or teaching of the arts as their primary mission as documented in their charter, bylaws, incorporation papers, and Internal Revenue Service determination letter. Organizations must be federally tax exempt under Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and eligible to receive charitable contributions under Section 170(c). Additional eligibility requirements include maintaining a stable and functioning board of directors that meets at least quarterly, providing continuous public arts programming for at least two years prior to application, and demonstrating total operating income exceeding $16,000 during the most recently completed fiscal year. The program does not permit the use of fiscal agents or fiscal sponsorship arrangements. Organizations are also expected to review the StartUp Program guidelines during a board meeting and submit board minutes documenting an affirmative vote approving participation in the program. The Fiscal Year 2028 StartUp Program cycle requires applicants to complete a two-step submission process through the smARTDE online grants portal. Organizations must first submit a mandatory Letter of Intent no later than January 15, 2027. Only applicants whose Letters of Intent are reviewed and approved will be invited to submit a full application. Full applications are due March 1, 2027 by 4:30 PM Eastern Time, and late applications are not accepted. Application materials include an organizational profile, narrative responses related to programming and management, board and staff lists, a two-year side-by-side budget comparison, financial reports for the most recently completed fiscal year, board minutes approving participation, and up to three support materials. The Delaware Division of the Arts advises applicants to redact confidential information because submitted materials may be subject to public inspection under Delaware Freedom of Information Act requirements. Grant funds may be used to support most annual operating expenses associated with arts programming and organizational administration. Eligible uses include artist fees, personnel costs, administrative expenses, marketing, contractual services, utilities, routine facility maintenance, professional development, supplies, technical costs, and domestic travel necessary for arts programming. However, the program prohibits the use of grant funds for activities outside Delaware, building construction or renovation, fundraising campaigns, lobbying, meals and refreshments, private entertainment, bad debt, investments, scholarships, sectarian activities, and capital expenditures exceeding $3,000. StartUp Program grants require a one-to-one cash match. Matching funds may not originate from the National Endowment for the Arts, although other federal funding sources may be allowable if authorized by law. Funding awarded in the Fiscal Year 2028 grant cycle must support activities occurring between September 1, 2027 and August 31, 2028. Applications are reviewed through a public panel process using evaluation criteria similar to those used for established arts organizations. Artistic Quality accounts for 40 percent of the review score and includes evaluation of artistic programming, educational activities, relevance, ingenuity, and program evaluation methods. Availability of the Arts and Service to the Community accounts for 30 percent of the score and examines audience development, community impact, outreach, collaboration, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Management represents the remaining 30 percent and evaluates board and staff qualifications, governance practices, fiscal responsibility, and operational effectiveness. Following panel review, the Delaware State Arts Council makes funding recommendations to the Division Director during the June 2027 Council meeting. Applicants are notified of final funding decisions after July 1, 2027 following passage of the Delaware state budget. Organizations receiving funding through the StartUp Program must comply with a variety of reporting and grant administration requirements. Final reports must be submitted through smARTDE by September 30, 2028, and failure to submit required reports may result in forfeiture of final payments or reduced eligibility for future funding. Grantees must also complete a Cultural Data Profile through the SMU DataArts portal and comply with the Delaware Division of the Arts Statement of Assurances. Grant recipients are required to properly credit the Delaware Division of the Arts in promotional materials, maintain current event listings on DelawareScene.com, notify the Division of major organizational or programmatic changes, comply with accessibility requirements, and provide complimentary tickets for evaluators if applicable. Questions regarding the StartUp Program may be directed to the Delaware Division of the Arts at 302-577-8278.

Emphasize strong artistic quality community engagement and sound organizational management in narrative responses. Demonstrate active board governance diversity equity and inclusion efforts audience development and fiscal responsibility. Include clear evidence of public programming history and organizational readiness for future General Operating Support funding.