A4 Arts Fund

The A4 Arts Fund is a national grantmaking initiative administered by the Asian American Arts Alliance, an organization dedicated to advancing the visibility and support of Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and cultural groups across the United States. This funding opportunity is supported by The Wallace Foundation and implemented in partnership with National Arts Regranting Partners. The program is designed in response to persistent disparities in philanthropic funding for AAPI communities, where data shows that only a small fraction of total U.S. arts funding reaches these groups. The fund aims to strengthen the national AAPI arts ecosystem by providing direct financial support to organizations that serve and uplift these communities. The primary purpose of the A4 Arts Fund is to provide unrestricted general operating support to small and mid-sized AAPI arts and cultural organizations. This means awarded funds can be used flexibly to sustain core operations, including staffing, rent, programming, and administrative costs. The fund specifically targets organizations with annual operating budgets under 500000 dollars, recognizing that smaller organizations often face greater financial instability. Funding is structured into two tiers based on organizational budget size, ensuring equitable distribution aligned with operational scale. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations with 501(c)(3) status or fiscally sponsored groups operating under a nonprofit sponsor. Applicants must demonstrate at least three years of arts and cultural programming history, though this does not need to be continuous. Organizations must be based in the United States, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories such as Guam and American Samoa. The program explicitly excludes individuals, for-profit entities, government agencies, educational institutions, and prior recipients of the A4 Arts Fund. The application process requires submission through an online Jotform platform. Applicants must complete narrative and contact sections and upload several required documents, including a 2026 operating budget, the most recent IRS Form 990 or equivalent, and fiscal sponsorship documentation if applicable. Supporting materials such as work samples, testimonials, and optional video content may also be submitted. Applicants are encouraged to prepare responses offline using a provided template before completing the online form. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including organizational mission and impact, leadership and community alignment, programming effectiveness, and alignment between values and proposed use of funds. Reviewers assess the clarity of the organization’s mission, its demonstrated impact on AAPI communities, and the cultural competency of its leadership. Additional emphasis is placed on the organization’s ability to deliver programming that promotes well-being and community engagement. The timeline for the current funding cycle begins with the application opening on May 12, 2026, and closing on July 13, 2026. Applications are reviewed between July 20 and September 9, 2026, with notifications issued on September 15, 2026. The grant period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, followed by a final reporting deadline on November 1, 2027. An informational webinar is offered prior to the deadline to assist applicants, and ongoing support is available via email through the grantmaking manager. This funding opportunity represents the final cycle of the A4 Arts Fund and is part of a broader effort to address systemic inequities in arts funding. While no matching funds are required, recipients must ensure that funds are used in alignment with nonprofit regulations and may not be used for political activities, lobbying, or private benefit. The program emphasizes authenticity in applications and encourages organizations to clearly articulate their impact and community engagement strategies.

Emphasize clear mission alignment with AAPI communities; demonstrate measurable community impact; provide strong documentation of programming history and leadership cultural competency