Grants for County governments - Arts

This grant provides funding to teams of creatives and community members in Massachusetts to explore and develop public art projects that promote spatial and racial justice in their communities.

The Inspire! Grants for Small Museums program, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, supports project-based efforts aimed at helping small museums provide museum services to their communities. The program is a special initiative of the Museums for America program, designed specifically for small museums of all disciplines. Projects funded through this program should align with one of the following objectives: supporting lifelong learning through experiential and cross-disciplinary learning experiences, strengthening institutional capacity, or improving collections stewardship and access. Projects must be tied to a key component of the museum’s strategic plan and generate measurable results to address an identified need or challenge. For fiscal year 2025, IMLS anticipates awarding approximately $3,000,000 in funding across 75 grants. The grant program offers two levels of funding: small projects may request between $5,000 and $25,000, with no cost share required, while large projects may request between $25,001 and $75,000, requiring a one-to-one cost share from non-federal sources. Projects must begin on or after September 1, 2025, and can span a performance period of one to three years. Applications are due by November 15, 2024, and must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Eligible applicants include museums that are nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, or units of state or local government located in the United States or its territories. Museums must operate on a permanent basis, have educational or cultural purposes, exhibit objects to the public regularly, and employ professional staff. Museums located within larger parent organizations, such as universities or cultural centers, may apply independently if they operate as discrete units with their own budgets. Partnerships and collaborations with other entities are encouraged to enhance the project’s scope and impact. Applicants are required to submit a complete application, including a project narrative, budget form, budget justification, project schedule, performance measurement plan, strategic plan summary, and organizational profile. The project narrative, limited to five pages, must address three components: project justification, project work plan, and project results. Applicants must clearly identify the primary audience and beneficiaries, outline specific project activities, and explain how outcomes will be sustained after the project concludes. Supporting documents such as resumes, letters of commitment, and conservation reports may also be submitted as applicable. Applications will be evaluated through a peer review process based on the project’s alignment with program goals, clarity and feasibility of the work plan, qualifications of key personnel, and potential for meaningful and lasting results. The peer review criteria focus on the project’s justification, work plan, and intended outcomes, including the applicant’s ability to achieve and measure success. For collections-related projects, improvements in care, condition, or access to collections will also be evaluated. Award notifications are expected in August 2025. Successful applicants will be required to submit interim and final performance and financial reports through IMLS’s grants management system. The program encourages applicants to contact IMLS program officers for guidance during the application process and to participate in informational webinars. Further resources, including sample applications, can be accessed on the IMLS website.

This grant provides funding to Vermont-based nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities to create accessible arts programs that engage diverse and underrepresented communities.

This program provides funding to various organizations, including telecommunications providers and local governments, to improve broadband access and infrastructure in underserved areas of Utah.

The Community Grants program, offered by the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, invites applications from eligible entities for projects across all counties. This program aligns with the Foundation's mission to support charitable initiatives within the community by providing financial assistance to organizations that are in good standing with the IRS, including 501c(3) charitable entities, educational institutions, churches, and government entities. The grants typically range from $2,500 to $5,000, with a broader size of $1,000 to $10,000 also mentioned, suggesting a flexible approach to funding based on project scope and need. The target beneficiaries for these grants are diverse groups and communities served by eligible organizations. The program aims to achieve significant impact by addressing various community needs as identified by local Community Fund Committees. While some areas like Berthoud have no additional priorities, Estes Valley focuses on Food Security and Music & Arts, Fort Collins prioritizes Water and Workforce, and Loveland emphasizes Community Engagement. These specific priorities indicate the Foundation's strategic approach to addressing localized challenges and fostering community well-being, aiming for measurable results in these key areas. The Foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on supporting established charitable entities and its encouragement of fiscal sponsorship for groups that do not meet the direct eligibility criteria. This demonstrates a commitment to broad community impact while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local organizations to implement projects that directly address identified community needs, thereby creating positive and sustainable change. The expectation is that funded projects will lead to improved food security, enhanced cultural experiences, better water resource management, stronger workforces, and increased community participation, all contributing to a more vibrant Northern Colorado. The Community Grants program is designed to generate expected outcomes such as increased access to essential services, enrichment of local culture, development of critical community infrastructure, and strengthening of civic engagement. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of metrics, the outlined priorities suggest that successful projects would demonstrate tangible improvements in the respective focus areas. For instance, a food security grant would aim for increased access to nutritious food, and a workforce grant would aim for improved job readiness or employment rates. The Foundation's emphasis on eligibility and its clear delineation of what it typically does not fund further refine its strategic priorities, ensuring resources are directed towards impactful charitable work rather than individual ventures, political campaigns, or debt retirement.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and artists in Sullivan County to create structured arts education programs in collaboration with schools or community partners.

Humanities North Dakota offers general grants ranging from $2,001 to $10,000 to support projects centered in the humanities. These projects must explore critical issues, involve humanities scholars, and be designed to attract and engage a public audience. Formats for these projects can vary widely and may include lectures, discussions, exhibits, interpretations of performances, living history presentations, book or film discussions, oral histories, radio, video, and film documentary productions, language preservation projects, and teacher seminars. The goal is to bring the humanities off campuses and into communities, promoting a deeper understanding of human values, cultures, and history. Close Date: Rolling based on project start dates: April 1 projects: March 1 July 1 projects: June 1 November 1 projects: October 1

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and public entities in Indiana that offer services to prevent and treat domestic violence, including emergency shelters, crisis intervention, and victim advocacy.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to California-based nonprofit organizations and local governments to promote and preserve folk and traditional arts by directly funding artists and community projects rooted in cultural heritage.

This funding opportunity supports arts education projects in public schools and community settings within Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties, aimed at enhancing hands-on learning experiences for students through collaborative artistic initiatives.

The Granville Community Foundation in Ohio is offering grants to non-profit organizations and public agencies for projects that enrich the lives of Granville residents, with a focus on arts, culture, education, and social services, and prioritizes initiatives that enhance quality of life, cultural opportunities, historical preservation, social support, public spaces, and youth experiences.

The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville's Education Fund is designed to invest in the future of the community by supporting crucial areas within education. These include early childhood development, student achievement, college and career readiness, and the overall success of the educational system. This aligns with the foundation's mission to foster community well-being through strategic investments, recognizing education as a cornerstone of future prosperity. The grant program seeks to address systemic educational needs within the Greater Huntsville area. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are students across various educational stages, from early childhood to college. The impact goals are clearly defined by the focus areas: kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading proficiency, eighth-grade math proficiency, career readiness, college readiness, and college graduation. By supporting these specific areas, the foundation aims to create a pipeline of well-prepared and successful individuals, ultimately strengthening the local workforce and civic engagement. Funding priorities emphasize projects that demonstrate high impact, reaching a broad number of students. Projects must strategically address one or more of the stated focus areas and provide clear and measurable outcomes. This highlights the foundation's strategic approach to philanthropy, where investments are expected to yield tangible and demonstrable results. The foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that targeted interventions in critical educational junctures will lead to improved academic performance and life outcomes for students. Eligible expenses for the grant include program costs for both new and existing initiatives, reasonable staff time, and training and support for volunteers. The geographic focus is specifically on Greater Huntsville, Alabama, encompassing Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties. The foundation ensures that grants are made to qualified 501(c)3 public charities, schools, religious institutions, or government agencies, reinforcing its commitment to supporting established and impactful organizations within the region. The grant amounts range from $2,500 to $5,000, indicating a focus on funding specific projects with clear objectives rather than large-scale, overarching initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides $10,000 per year for two years to organizations in New Jersey that create free arts-based learning experiences for older adults aged 55 and over, promoting creativity and engagement in the community.

This grant provides financial support to New Jersey companies for hiring Ph.D. candidates and graduates to conduct technological research and foster innovation in the state.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering a $10 million grant to tribal nations and local governmental units in Minnesota for projects aimed at preparing local wastewater infrastructure for climate change impacts, with a focus on protecting water quality, increasing resilience, and promoting energy and water efficiency.

This funding opportunity supports Nevada-based nonprofit organizations and public institutions in executing arts and cultural projects that benefit local communities.

The Essex Community Fund (ECF) at Adirondack Foundation invites local nonprofits, schools, churches, and municipalities to apply for grant funding. Eligible projects must serve town of Essex residents through community services, beautification, historic preservation, culture, the arts, education, or programs for youth and senior citizens. The deadline to apply is May 24. ECF gives strong preference to capacity building grants or modest one-time capital projects. It does not award grants for ongoing operating expenses. While grants typically range from $250 to $2,000, the maximum a potential grantee can request is $5,000. After reviewing applications, the ECF committee anticipates making grant recommendations in June with funding available as early as July. Applications must be submitted online through Adirondack Foundation’s Online Grants Manager: adirondackfoundation.org/granting/online-grants-manager For more information about ECF grants, please call Colleen Van Hoven at (518) 569-3141 or email colleenvanhoven@gmail.com or email leslee.mounger@adkfoundation.org. To learn more about community funds at Adirondack Foundation, visit adirondackfoundation.org. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: May

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations, and county directors of veteran affairs in Pennsylvania to enhance programs and services for veterans, focusing on outreach, health, transportation, and employment initiatives.

Support for presenting touring performing artists and groups for events and festivals in communities across the state, including in rural counties. This grant category supports Tennessee presenters by providing grant funds up to $5,000 to offset the costs of professional artist fees for performing artists and groups that present to the public and offer an educational component with their engagement. Any eligible organization may apply for up to $3,000 of the agreed upon artist’s fees. If an organization or touring artist being presented meets one of the following criteria, the organization may request up to $5,000 of the agreed upon artist’s fees.

INcommon Grants, provided by Indiana Humanities, offer funding to tax-exempt organizations for public programs that utilize the humanities to explore subjects related to race and ethnicity. This aligns with Indiana Humanities' mission to foster dialogue and understanding on these complex topics, believing the humanities can create a space for learning, considering different viewpoints, respectful disagreement, and discovering shared values. The grant program seeks to support diverse projects across Indiana that address various themes and use a variety of public humanities formats, such as reading series, civic reflection discussions, public lectures, film screenings, exhibits, web projects, podcasts, walking tours, or documentary films. The target beneficiaries are tax-exempt organizations, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, public libraries, churches, and government entities, all of which are eligible to apply. The impact goal is to encourage programs that contribute to a deeper understanding of issues like immigration, gentrification, assimilation, incarceration, policing, institutional racism, and the legacies of segregation in housing and education. By fostering community discussion and conversation, the program aims to promote shared values and bridge divides within Indiana communities. High priority is given to projects that include community discussion and conversation, demonstrating Indiana Humanities' focus on interactive and participatory engagement. Successful proposals are expected to incorporate input from humanities scholars, serving as advisers or facilitators, ensuring the intellectual rigor and depth of the programs. Projects must have a strong focus on the humanities, adhering to guidelines from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and be intended for a public audience with accessible presentation sites. Expected outcomes include the development and implementation of impactful public humanities programs that increase public understanding and dialogue on race and ethnicity. Measurable results could include the number of programs delivered, audience participation, and qualitative assessments of the discussions fostered. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on using the humanities as a tool for civic engagement and promoting understanding around critical societal issues, with a theory of change that posits that through guided discussions and public programming, communities can build bridges and address challenging topics constructively.