Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant

The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is an initiative under the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), managed in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Civic Arts, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, and Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA). This program began in 2012 to improve the health and quality of life for military service members, veterans, and their families through both clinical and non-clinical creative arts engagement. It specifically supports community-based projects that address trauma-related challenges experienced by military-connected individuals, fostering social connections, creative expression, and smoother transitions to civilian life. The grant supports non-clinical arts engagement initiatives in healthcare, community, or virtual settings, through projects that may include classes, performances, exhibitions, residencies, and support services for caregivers and families. Applicants may submit under one of two tiers: emerging (up to $10,000 for new or small-scale projects) or advanced (up to $25,000 for established programs). A 1:1 matching requirement applies for all funding tiers. Each project must actively involve military-connected populations in its design and execution and be delivered in accessible formats and spaces. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, and federally recognized tribal governments, provided they have at least three years of relevant programming experience. Fiscal sponsorships are not allowed, and applicants must be based in the U.S. and comply with federal regulations regarding accessibility and compensation for professional artists. Applications open November 12, 2025, and close January 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Projects must start on or after July 1, 2026, and conclude by June 30, 2027. Awards will be announced in Spring 2026 and publicly acknowledged in Summer 2026. Evaluation will be conducted based on artistic merit, project design, military cultural competency, organizational capacity, and community impact. Advanced-tier grantees must submit a logic model at project end. Applications must be submitted via the Creative Forces Grant Application Portal. Required elements include narratives outlining project design and goals, partner roles, and military engagement; budget details including match; and evaluation plans. Additional assistance is available for applicants needing accessibility accommodations. Questions may be directed to Matt Aelmore, Grant Programs Coordinator, at creativeforces@maaa.org. The program supports ongoing national learning via annual convenings and peer networking opportunities.

Clearly demonstrate military cultural competency; align activities with participant outcomes; justify artistic merit and community impact; ensure accessibility.