Grants for County governments - Arts

The Mississippi Humanities Council offers grants to support projects that engage communities in meaningful dialogue, attract diverse audiences, and are participatory and engaging, applying humanities to everyday life. Grants support public humanities programs, exhibits, planning of larger projects, and the development of original productions in various media. Regular grants : start at $2,500 to $10,000. Regular grants applications are accepted on May 1st and September 1st Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity supports educational institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies in Hawaiʻi to develop projects that boost local business growth, job creation, and sustainability on the island.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) Education Grants program is designed to fund education and outreach activities that benefit the sustainable agriculture community. This grant directly aligns with SSARE's mission to promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. The core objective is to support projects that develop sustainable agriculture systems or move existing systems towards sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are farmers and farming communities, including those involved in indigenous agriculture producing for community food systems. Academic institutions, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators, 1862 land-grant universities, other colleges and universities, and government agencies are eligible to apply, acting as facilitators for these educational initiatives. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and economically viable agricultural sector through knowledge dissemination and practical application. Education Grants prioritize projects that clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom, and how the goals will be accomplished. Focus areas include experiential learning (demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops), integrative approaches (conferences, seminars, course curriculum), and reinforcement methods (fact sheets, bulletins, videos, online technologies). SSARE also encourages proposals on quality of life topics, such as heirs property, farmers’ markets, food hubs, local/regional processing, and urban agriculture systems, emphasizing the social health of farming systems. Expected outcomes include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, enhanced farmer innovation, increased community resilience, improved business success for agricultural enterprises, and greater agricultural diversification. Projects should yield results that are realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to tangible actions and benefits described in the proposal. The grant projects are strictly focused on education and outreach, with no research component, and are paid by reimbursement of allowable expenses. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the grant requirements, which mandate that project outcomes focus on sustainable agriculture systems and clearly demonstrate how education and outreach efforts will be implemented and evaluated. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by providing targeted education and outreach, knowledge and best practices will be transferred to farmers and communities, leading to the development and widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural methods and improved quality of life within farming systems. Project maximums are $50,000, with a duration limited to two years. Applicants from the Southern region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible. Farmers involved in these projects must have farming/ranching as their primary occupation or part-time farming with at least $1,000 of documented annual income from their operation, with exceptions for indigenous agriculture.

The Community Foundation of South Alabama (CFSA) offers competitive program grants to local nonprofits in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Monroe, Conecuh, Choctaw, Clarke, and Washington Counties, Alabama. These grants are funded through the Foundation’s unrestricted and field of interest funds, established by donors to address critical community needs. The program aligns with CFSA's mission to support sustainable initiatives that produce meaningful results on community priorities. For 2024, the Foundation is exclusively awarding one-year program grants, focusing on specific projects that benefit the community and demonstrate potential for efficacy and sustainability. CFSA's grant-making is strategically guided by six key focus areas: Family, Education, Work, Racial Equity, Arts and Culture, and Mental and Behavioral Health, all within its eight-county footprint. For 2024, the Foundation has defined six specific priorities for grant applications. These include promoting parenting education; expanding opportunities for young people to secure well-paying jobs through workforce training; increasing access to preschool education and youth extracurricular activities; advancing racial equity with a focus on underprivileged youth; increasing youth access to equitable, high-quality arts and culture; and providing mental and behavioral supports for individuals and families. The target beneficiaries are individuals and families within the eight-county region, particularly underprivileged youth, who will directly benefit from these programs. The expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the successful implementation of projects that address the stated priorities. CFSA seeks to support programs that can demonstrate a positive impact on community priorities and needs. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed for each priority, the emphasis on "meaningful results" and "efficacy and sustainability" suggests that applicants will need to articulate their intended outcomes and how they will measure success. For instance, programs focusing on workforce training would aim for increased job placement rates, while those on preschool education would look at improved school readiness. The Foundation's theory of change is implicitly rooted in the belief that by funding targeted programs within its six focus areas, it can create a ripple effect of positive change across the eight-county region. By supporting initiatives that promote parenting education, workforce development, early childhood education, youth engagement in arts and culture, racial equity, and mental health, CFSA aims to foster a more resilient, equitable, and thriving community. The preference for programs not exceeding 50% of their total budget also indicates a strategic priority for diversified funding and community buy-in, ensuring broader impact and sustainability beyond CFSA's initial investment. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $15,000, with requests not to exceed $15,000.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for the construction, renovation, or enhancement of arts facilities in Alabama, benefiting local arts organizations and communities.

The Arts Operating Grant provides financial support to arts organizations in Vermont, aimed at those offering year-round, high-quality arts programs and services that align with the mission of advancing arts and creativity throughout the state. This initiative supports Outcome Three of the Arts Council's Strategic Framework, focusing on building vibrant and creative communities through organizations and artists. For FY2025, the grant offers one-year operating funds to eligible organizations demonstrating significant community involvement and partnerships with civic, non-arts, and educational entities to ensure broad access to arts and creativity. Applicants must choose between applying for an Arts Operating Grant or an Arts Project Grant and cannot be current three-year operating grantees. Grant renewed every year.

The 2025 Massachusetts 250 Grant Program, offered by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), is a competitive grant designed to fund programming and interpretation related to the American Revolution in Massachusetts. The program aims to increase tourism and travel within the state by highlighting its pivotal role in the nation's founding. This aligns with a broader mission to promote Massachusetts' historical significance and attract visitors, thereby bolstering the state's economic development through tourism. The grant targets municipalities, public agencies, tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations (501(c)3, 501(c)5, or 501(c)6) operating in Massachusetts. Eligible projects must demonstrate a direct connection to the American Revolution, link to themes of revolution and independence, celebrate significant historical "firsts" in Massachusetts, or offer creative approaches to commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial. The program emphasizes that grant funds can be utilized for both programming and marketing initiatives. The primary priorities and focus areas for this grant include fostering a deeper understanding of the American Revolution's impact in Massachusetts and enhancing the state's appeal as a historical destination. The grant's strategic priorities are centered on supporting projects that interpret and tell these stories effectively, ultimately driving increased tourism. This implicitly supports a theory of change where investments in historical programming and marketing lead to greater engagement, visitor numbers, and economic benefits for the state. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in tourism and travel to and within Massachusetts, successful programming that engages visitors with the American Revolution, and effective marketing campaigns that raise awareness of Massachusetts' historical significance. While specific quantitative metrics are not detailed, the competitive nature of the grant and the emphasis on increasing tourism suggest that successful applicants will demonstrate a clear plan for achieving these outcomes and, presumably, for measuring their impact. The program anticipates awarding up to $1,500,000 in FY25, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. This substantial funding demonstrates the state's commitment to commemorating the American Revolution and leveraging its historical assets for economic growth. Eligibility also requires compliance with regulations such as the MBTA Communities Act for municipal applicants, good standing with the Commonwealth, and current tax payments, ensuring responsible use of public funds.

This program provides financial support for a variety of arts-related projects in Iowa, targeting organizations and initiatives that promote regional and statewide arts events or align with strategic arts goals.

The Arts Grants, offered by the City of Fort Myers, aim to serve and support art installations and advancements within the city. This grant program aligns with the city's broader mission to foster arts and culture, recognizing the valuable contributions of local artists, artist groups, and organizations to the community. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the City Council has allocated $110,000 for these grants, demonstrating a clear commitment to enhancing the cultural landscape of Fort Myers. The primary beneficiaries of this program are artists, artist groups, and organizations located within the City of Fort Myers. The overarching impact goal is to further the reach of arts and culture throughout the community, enriching the lives of its residents. The program specifically prioritizes projects that will have a direct and measurable effect on the City of Fort Myers, ensuring that the allocated funds directly benefit the local community. Projects that primarily impact other municipalities or counties will not be considered, reinforcing the focus on local development. Applications are assessed based on both technical and qualitative criteria. Technical evaluation ensures that applicants complete all required sections, include necessary attachments, and demonstrate community support through letters of support. This ensures a foundational level of project preparedness and community engagement. Qualitative evaluation further assesses the project's necessity, its potential for strong community benefit, clearly defined goals, and a proposed timeline for accomplishment. Applicants must also provide a brief description of services or activities for each budget category, demonstrating reasonable cost-effectiveness. The expected outcome is projects that not only meet artistic goals but also provide a direct and significant benefit to the City of Fort Myers, leading to a more vibrant and culturally rich community.

The 2025 Mobility and Transportation Innovation (MTI) Grant Program, offered by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, is designed to foster innovative strategies and projects aimed at improving mobility and access for transit-dependent Vermonters, while simultaneously working to reduce the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The program aligns with a broader mission to create more sustainable and accessible transportation options within the state. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are transit-dependent Vermonters, along with employers and employees seeking to adopt Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures. The grant's impact goals are clearly defined, focusing on enhancing mobility and access for these transit-dependent individuals, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing the overall use of single-occupancy vehicles. These goals are also intended to complement existing mobility investments within Vermont. The MTI Grant Program prioritizes several key focal areas. These include the extension and creation of new TDM programs, the development and marketing of TDM resources, the expansion of first-mile/last-mile programs, and providing support for employers and employees to adopt TDM measures. Furthermore, it encourages the implementation of planned TDM programs such as bike share, car share, and microtransit initiatives. Funds can be utilized for various purposes, including matching funds for other TDM grant awards, covering TDM program delivery costs, microtransit planning and implementation, and both capital and operational expenses. The program categorizes grants into Small (around $10,000), Medium (around $50,000), and Large (around $100,000+) to accommodate diverse project scopes. Expected outcomes and measurable results are directly tied to the performance metrics, which emphasize improved mobility and access, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a decrease in single-occupancy vehicle use. While the "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed as a separate foundation, the Vermont Agency of Transportation's initiative implicitly operates on the theory that strategic investment in innovative transportation solutions and TDM will lead to measurable improvements in public mobility, environmental sustainability, and overall community well-being by empowering transit-dependent populations and fostering more sustainable travel behaviors.

Texas Pride Impact Funds (TPIF) has opened applications for its 2024 Community Grants, designed to strengthen the capacity and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities across the state of Texas. The program reflects TPIF’s mission to advance equity and justice for LGBTQ+ individuals through strategic investments in community-driven initiatives. By focusing its funding on historically marginalized and underserved populations, TPIF aims to foster sustainable progress on both immediate needs and systemic barriers impacting LGBTQ+ people, particularly those facing multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination. The Community Grants program provides flexible general operating support to nonprofit organizations, empowering them to deploy resources where they are most needed to drive transformational change. The grant program is guided by a deliberate focus on key communities and populations. TPIF places strong emphasis on supporting the safety, health, and rights of people of transgender experience, recognizing that this group faces disproportionate discrimination, violence, and systemic exclusion. Additionally, TPIF seeks to strengthen organizations serving LGBTQ+ individuals in under-resourced geographic areas, including rural regions, border communities, small towns, and underserved urban neighborhoods. This intentional geographic targeting ensures that funding reaches communities often left out of mainstream philanthropy, thereby addressing gaps in access to resources, advocacy, and essential services. The program’s target beneficiaries also include LGBTQ+ communities of color, such as Black and African American, Native and Indigenous Peoples, Hispanic/Latinx, and APIDA communities. TPIF’s theory of change acknowledges that race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation intersect to create compounded barriers to equity. By channeling resources to organizations led by and serving these communities, TPIF aims to correct historical underinvestment and support culturally grounded solutions. The grant program further recognizes specific age-related challenges, supporting both LGBTQ+ seniors and elderly people as well as youth and young adults facing homelessness, family rejection, or other forms of displacement. Strategically, TPIF’s funding priorities are centered on equity, inclusion, and systemic transformation. Beyond supporting identity-based communities, the foundation also emphasizes the needs of displaced LGBTQ+ people—including immigrants, refugees, undocumented individuals, formerly incarcerated persons, and homeless youth. TPIF also prioritizes organizations working with people living with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS, as well as people with disabilities. By integrating these focus areas, TPIF aims to fund programs that not only provide direct services but also challenge structural inequities through advocacy, empowerment, and community capacity-building. The expected outcomes of the Community Grants program are both immediate and long-term. In the short term, TPIF anticipates increased organizational capacity, expanded access to services, and improved well-being for LGBTQ+ individuals across Texas. Over the long term, TPIF envisions a stronger, more equitable LGBTQ+ movement that includes rural, border, and BIPOC communities as central actors in shaping social change. Success metrics may include the number of organizations strengthened, the reach of community services provided, improved safety and health indicators, and the advancement of inclusive policies and practices. TPIF’s strategic priorities and theory of change emphasize that sustainable equity is achieved when those most affected by inequities lead the solutions. By providing unrestricted general operating support, TPIF removes barriers that often limit the flexibility of community organizations, allowing them to respond nimbly to evolving community needs. In doing so, the foundation is not merely funding programs—it is investing in the infrastructure of justice and the leadership of communities that have historically been underfunded, ensuring that progress for LGBTQ+ Texans is both inclusive and enduring.

Propeller’s Impact Accelerator is a 5-month program designed to support mission-driven entrepreneurs in growing their businesses through coaching, community building, curriculum, and technical assistance. The program aims to catalyze transformational growth by connecting entrepreneurs with contract opportunities, markets, and customers. It is sponsored by the Clif Family Foundation, Capital One, Nasdaq, RosaMary Foundation, WK Kellogg Foundation, and Baptist Community Ministries, aligning with their missions to foster economic development, education, and community well-being by empowering local businesses. The Impact Accelerator targets growth-stage entrepreneurs in five key areas: community economic development, education, food, health, and water. Specifically, it supports BIPOC entrepreneurs operating brick-and-mortar establishments in underserved New Orleans corridors for economic development; early childhood education and care providers for education; CPG brands emphasizing sustainable, healthy, and affordable products for food; direct health and wellness service providers, especially those serving BIPOC clients, for health; and entrepreneurs in green infrastructure, stormwater management, native plant cultivation, and coastal restoration for water. The program's overarching impact goal is to facilitate the scaling of revenues and teams, while also embedding racial equity, social, and environmental impact goals into business operations. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly delineated within each sector. For community economic development, the focus is on Black-owned brick-and-mortar storefronts in specific New Orleans neighborhoods, aiming for job creation and community ties. In education, the priority is on increasing enrollment, growing staff, and expanding business locations for early childhood education providers. For food, the emphasis is on CPG brands that are environmentally sound, locally sourced, healthy, or have compelling social/environmental impacts, with a prioritization of BIPOC-led companies. Health focuses on direct clinical care and services impacting social and physical determinants of health, especially for BIPOC client bases, striving for increased accessibility and staff growth. The water sector prioritizes green infrastructure, urban stormwater management, native plants, and coastal restoration, seeking to increase the supply of native plants for green infrastructure. Expected outcomes and measurable results include participants setting ambitious yet achievable goals for growth and long-term sustainability, an increase in business revenues and staff, and the successful attainment of social/environmental impact goals. Entrepreneurs receive over 16 hours of lead mentor office hours for goal setting, 12+ hours of business development curriculum during meetups, and 20+ hours with subject matter experts for project assistance. Additional benefits include a detailed work plan, coaching on racial equity and impact goals, introductions to stakeholders, free coworking space, and membership in a network of over 250 alumni. These structured interventions are designed to remove growth barriers and accelerate the development of entrepreneurial ventures, leading to tangible economic and social improvements within the targeted communities and sectors.

This grant provides funding to Colorado artists, activists, and organizations to implement projects that use the arts to promote social justice and improve community welfare.

The Arts in Society Grant, funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), aims to leverage the arts to address civic and social challenges within Colorado communities. This program aligns with a broader mission of fostering community development and social justice through creative engagement, recognizing the arts as a powerful tool for societal change and problem-solving. The grant offers both financial and organizational support, indicating a commitment to not only fund projects but also to nurture the growth and impact of participating artists and organizations. The target beneficiaries for this grant are broad, encompassing Colorado artists, activists, nonprofit organizations, universities and schools, government agencies, human service groups, neighborhood organizations, and healthcare organizations. The program particularly encourages applications from individual artists and non-arts organizations, emphasizing inclusivity and a cross-sector approach. The impact goals are centered on empowering these diverse groups to collaborate on projects where artists, organizations, and a target community work together to address specific social issues, ultimately leading to positive community transformation. The program's priorities and focuses include fostering collaboration, building support networks, and illustrating the impact of arts in cross-sector projects. Grantees are expected to attend learning community meetings to build support and share resources, underscoring a strategic priority of community building and knowledge exchange among participants. Another key focus is the promotion of grantee work through various marketing channels, highlighting the program's commitment to showcasing successful initiatives and advocating for the value of arts in society. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful completion of projects within 24 months, with an emphasis on projects that demonstrably engage a social issue and involve collaborative efforts. The mini-documentary highlighting grantee work and participation in evaluation processes are crucial mechanisms for measuring and illustrating the impacts of the arts in these cross-sector endeavors. This suggests a strategic priority of OEDIT to document and disseminate the effectiveness of arts-based solutions to civic and social challenges, thereby validating and expanding the theory of change that art can be a catalyst for tangible societal improvement.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering the Fiscal Year 2025 Soil Health Financial Assistance Program, a grant designed to support healthy soil management practices across Minnesota. This program, funded by the 2023 and 2024 Legislative Sessions, aims to enhance agricultural sustainability and environmental health by promoting the adoption of soil health farming practices. The MDA, through its Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division, administers this competitive grant, aligning with its mission to protect and enhance Minnesota's agricultural resources. The program's primary beneficiaries are owners and lessees of farmland in Minnesota, as well as Local Government Units (LGUs) such including cities, towns, counties, soil and water conservation districts, Tribal Nations, and joint powers boards. LGUs that receive grants for equipment purchases are required to make this equipment available for public use, broadening the program's impact. The overarching impact goal is to establish, improve, or accelerate soil health practices statewide, contributing to long-term agricultural resilience and environmental benefits. The core priority of this grant is to provide financial assistance for purchasing and retrofitting equipment essential for implementing soil health farming practices. This includes both new and used equipment, as well as parts and materials for retrofitting existing machinery. By focusing on equipment acquisition, the program directly addresses a common barrier to adopting soil health practices, thereby facilitating their widespread implementation across various farming operations. The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $2.375 million in FY 2025. Applicants can request up to 50% of their project's total cost, with individual grant awards ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $45,000. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of farms utilizing soil-healthy practices and the availability of specialized equipment for public use through LGUs. The measurable results will be tied to the successful acquisition and deployment of equipment, leading to improved soil health metrics on participating lands, although specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information.

The Roundhouse Foundation's Open Call Grants aim to support organizations that contribute to the thriving of rural Oregon communities, including Tribal communities. These grants prioritize proposals that span 12-18 months, with funding amounts not exceeding $50,000; however, the median award is approximately $20,000. Preferred projects are innovative, collaborative, and align with the foundation's focus areas: Arts & Culture, Environmental Stewardship, Social Services, and Education. Proposals should demonstrate a commitment to rural Oregon, support sustainable practices, and foster economic resilience. Capital requests for facility development are not funded, but program-aligned infrastructure enhancements are considered. Grant renewed every year. 2 cycles per year

This funding opportunity is designed to assist cultural organizations in Louisiana in strengthening their emergency preparedness and response strategies to better withstand the impacts of natural disasters.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Illinois working to improve broadband access, digital literacy, and inclusion for underserved communities, helping bridge the digital divide and promote economic development.

This grant provides funding to organizations and initiatives focused on improving access to newborn hearing screening and services in Minnesota.

This program provides funding to expand high-speed internet access across Pennsylvania, targeting underserved communities and ensuring equitable broadband deployment.