Town of Cary Art Daze Grant

The Cary Art Daze Grants program is a community-focused initiative developed by the Cary Art Daze Work Group in partnership with the Town of Cary. Its central mission is to promote and enhance cultural and artistic programming within Cary, North Carolina, and its surrounding areas. This program is designed to reinvest proceeds from local arts festivals directly into the community by supporting nonprofit organizations that deliver enriching arts experiences to Cary residents. Since its establishment, the program has awarded over $950,000 to local nonprofit organizations through funding derived from the annual Spring Daze and Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festivals. In the current cycle, $40,000 is available for distribution, generated from proceeds of the 32nd Spring Daze and the 49th Lazy Daze festivals scheduled for 2025. The maximum individual award is $5,000, and grants are awarded on a competitive basis, evaluated based on proposal quality, alignment with program goals, and potential local impact. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations proposing projects with a defined cultural or artistic focus. Projects must benefit Cary’s residents directly or operate within the town’s geographic or demographic scope. Additionally, the funded projects or programs must be scheduled for implementation between January 1 and December 31, 2026. The application process begins with an online application opening on October 15, 2025, and closes on November 16, 2025. The Cary Art Daze Work Group reviews all submissions during December, and successful applicants will be notified in January. Funding decisions prioritize cultural arts organizations, projects aligned with Town of Cary initiatives, and activities that benefit downtown Cary. Fundraising-focused projects, such as those affiliated with school booster clubs or PTAs, are given lower priority. Following award disbursement, recipients are required to submit a Grant Report Form detailing project outcomes, financial usage, and deliverables. This report must be submitted by October 24, 2026, for the 2026 grant cycle.

Priority is given to arts-focused projects and those aligning with Cary or downtown Cary initiatives. Fundraisers are lower priority.