Grants for Nonprofits - Local

The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) is currently accepting applications for its 2024-25 Grassroots Arts Program. This grant program is designed to fund quality arts programs and support the operations of arts organizations within Orange County, North Carolina. The OCAC's mission, though not explicitly stated in detail, is clearly aligned with fostering and sustaining a vibrant arts community through financial support. The Grassroots Arts Program serves as a direct mechanism to achieve this by providing essential funding that might otherwise be unavailable to smaller arts initiatives and organizations. The target beneficiaries of this program are nonprofit arts organizations or organizations with a nonprofit sponsor that have been in operation for at least one year and are physically located in Orange County. Individual artists are not eligible. The program aims to impact the arts landscape of Orange County by enabling organizations to conduct diverse arts programs and maintain their operational capacity. This includes supporting both program-related expenses, such as artist fees, marketing, and equipment rental, and operating expenses like salaries, rent, and utilities for qualifying organizations. The program prioritizes both the direct delivery of arts programs and the sustainable operation of arts and cultural organizations. For program-related requests, a maximum limit of $5,000 is set, emphasizing support for specific artistic endeavors. Similarly, operating expense requests also have a maximum limit of $5,000 and are specifically for organizations with an arts-based mission and an annual operating budget of less than $2 million, and who are not already receiving operating support from the N.C. Arts Council or N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This focus ensures that the grant effectively reaches smaller, local organizations that may have limited access to other significant funding sources. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number and quality of arts programs available to the residents of Orange County, as well as the strengthened operational stability of local arts organizations. Measurable results would be evidenced by the successful execution of funded projects between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, and the continued operation of arts organizations that receive support for their operational costs. While a formal "theory of change" is not detailed, the underlying strategy is to provide accessible, targeted financial aid to nurture the arts at a local, grassroots level, thereby enhancing the cultural richness and accessibility of the arts within the community. The grant size, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and a duration of one year, suggests a focus on impactful, yet often smaller-scale, initiatives and operational needs.

This funding program assists nonprofit organizations in Bishop to deliver community services, arts activities, and events that benefit local residents.

The City of Salisbury in North Carolina is inviting eligible non-profit organizations to apply for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service, offering $1,000 to $10,000 to support work benefiting low-moderate income individuals and families in Salisbury, with applications due by October 14, 2024.

This grant provides financial support to arts organizations in California to help them recover from the pandemic while promoting accessibility and engagement in the arts for the Simi Valley community.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) aims to provide financial assistance for major tourism capital projects. Its core mission is to increase patronage of lodging properties and further economic development within Buncombe County. The fund aligns with the broader goal of fostering sustainable growth and enhancing the region as a desirable destination. The target beneficiaries of the TPDF are non-profit organizations and government entities that develop major tourism capital projects. The impact goals are to create jobs, foster entrepreneurial opportunities, provide amenities for both residents and visitors, and ultimately increase overnight lodging stays in Buncombe County. Projects that directly increase lodging stays or support larger initiatives to do so are evaluated equally. The TPDF prioritizes capital investments, focusing on "brick and mortar" projects. Operational expenses are not considered for funding, though design fees already expended can count towards the required 1-to-1 funding match. Projects must be principally located in Buncombe County, demonstrate the ability to increase lodging patronage, and not solely benefit a single lodging owner or property. Applicants must also have legal control of the property and show how they will achieve a minimum 1-to-1 funding match. Expected outcomes include enhanced financial stability for requesting organizations, successful and sustainable project operations, and effective sales and marketing plans that draw visitation. The TPDF also seeks projects that differentiate the destination through brand alignment, uniqueness, and innovation, and those that promote the local creative sector. Measurable results are assessed by the ratio of overnight lodging generated to funding requested, and the project's ability to create new and incremental room nights, not just pull from existing visitors. Furthermore, the TPDF aligns with BCTDA’s strategic imperatives to deliver balanced recovery and sustainable growth by distributing visitors geographically and seasonally. Projects that encourage safe and responsible travel, and those that support engagement with and appeal to more diverse audiences, receive greater consideration. The overarching theory of change is that strategic capital investments in tourism infrastructure will lead to increased visitor numbers, economic benefits, and a more vibrant community, all while ensuring sustainable and equitable development.

The goal of the Façade Improvement Grant Program (FIGP) is to be a catalyst for improving the exterior of business-use properties that result in quality improvements and enhancements that benefit the business and the City. The improvements must enhance the appearance of the property and the environment in which the property is located. The FIGP has been established as a one-time program to provide grant funding for business owners and/or property owners of retail, commercial, industrial and office properties in the focus area to complete exterior improvements to business-use properties. The grant is not intended for new “ground up construction” but for improvement of existing large scale commercial buildings and the property around them. Funding Information The City anticipates awarding funds to 4-6 projects. Any awarded funding $100,000 and over will require a 10% match in private investment and a public hearing before the City Council. For example, if an applicant is awarded a grant for $150,000 in eligible improvements, the applicant is required to match $15,000 (10% of $150,000). In this example, a business or property owner can realize a total of $165,000 in improvements with a $15,000 investment. Private investment may exceed the matching grant portion of the project if, for example, interior improvements are included in the scope of work even though they are not eligible for the grant.  Purchase of the materials and services shall be funded in whole or in part by a grant from the U.S. Treasury and as such the recipient shall be required to abide by certain Federal provisions and requirements. The procurement regulations and guidelines require that all agreements with sub-recipients for projects using these funds adhere to all applicable requirements relating but not limited to non-discrimination, equal employment opportunity, training and business opportunity, and non-segregated facilities. Eligible Activities  The purpose of the FIGP is for significant and impactful façade improvements and renovations that includes improvements or renovations of existing buildings. For example, a cumulative number of eligible activities that may include a combination of several of the following: structural façade improvements, paint, awnings, signs, addition of architectural detail to façade, façade tile or stone accents, decorative entry walkway area, outside dining with decorative features, irrigated landscape/flower planters or pots, outside decorative lighting, and/or new windows. Eligible Applicants  Small Business – has no more than 500 employees or, if applicable, the size standard in number of employees established by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration for the industry in which the business concern or organization operates; and (2) Is a small business concern as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632). Non-profit – a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.  Impacted Industry – an industry or businesses within an “impacted” industry that experienced a negative economic impact during the pandemic including tourism, travel, and hospitality. If the industry is outside of travel, tourism or hospitality sectors, the industry is impacted if: 1) The industry experienced at least 8 percent employment loss from pre-pandemic levels, or 2) The industry is experiencing comparable or worse economic impacts as the tourism, travel and hospitality industries as of the date the ARPA Final Rule (published 12/6/2022).

The City of Columbus is offering the New American Civic Integration Seed Fund, a new initiative under its New American Program. This grant program aims to increase funding access for organizations serving New Americans, fostering community building, youth engagement, and strengthening their capacity to effectively serve new arrivals. The program aligns with the city's mission to support and assist the unique and emerging needs of the growing immigrant and refugee community in Columbus, providing supportive services that meet their cultural and linguistic requirements. Funding is provided through the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods' New American Program. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are New Americans, immigrants, and refugees residing in the city of Columbus. The program's impact goals include creating access to funding, fostering community building, promoting youth engagement, and strengthening organizations to better serve newly arrived residents. It also seeks to support and assist with the unique and emerging needs of this community and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate supportive services. The grant prioritizes new and existing projects or programs, as well as services that support integration, civic participation, and the pursuit of the citizenship process. Special interest is given to newer organizations focusing on communities not fully represented and in urgent need of community programming. Key focuses include capacity building, civic integration, youth and civic engagement, and emergency situations. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity of New American serving organizations, increased civic participation among new arrivals, and improved integration into the Columbus community. Measurable results could include the number of organizations supported, the number of New Americans served, the types of programs implemented, and progress in civic engagement and citizenship processes. Applicants can request up to $10,000.00. The City of Columbus's strategic priorities for this fund revolve around fostering an inclusive environment for its diverse population. The theory of change suggests that by providing targeted financial support to organizations that directly serve New Americans, the city can facilitate greater integration, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being for this demographic. This, in turn, contributes to a more vibrant and equitable community for all Columbus residents. Eligibility criteria stipulate that applying organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, serve New Americans, immigrants, and refugees, and primarily serve city of Columbus residents.

The City of Naperville in Illinois is offering a Social Service Grant ranging from $500,000 to $1 million for a duration of one year, aimed at financially assisting non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services such as emergency assistance, senior care, self-sufficiency programs, support for special populations, and youth programs to benefit the Naperville community.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and local government entities in Ransom County to enhance community projects and improve the quality of life for residents, with a focus on initiatives in Lisbon.

The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Sustainability Commission are offering the Neighborhood Sustainability Grants (NSG) Program. This program aims to provide funding for innovative projects that improve community sustainability and promote healthy lifestyles through collaborative community partnerships. While specific foundation mission alignment, strategic priorities, or theory of change are not explicitly stated as coming from a "foundation," the program's goals directly align with the broader mission of urban sustainability and community well-being as typically pursued by municipal sustainability offices and commissions. The NSG Program targets a broad range of beneficiaries including individuals, groups of individuals, community groups, educational groups, nonprofit organizations, churches, and locally owned businesses. These applicants must be undertaking projects within the Flagstaff city limits. The impact goals are to enhance community sustainability, promote healthy lifestyles, meaningfully involve underserved communities, diverse groups, or vulnerable populations, build community partnerships, and facilitate volunteer engagement or management. The program prioritizes projects that align with at least one of its three core goals: involving underserved communities, building partnerships, or facilitating volunteer engagement. Additionally, projects must fall into one of the following categories: Building Energy, Climate Action, Food, Public Health, Resilience, Transportation, or Waste. These categories represent the key focuses for achieving Flagstaff's sustainability objectives. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of creative community projects that address sustainability challenges. Measurable results would be evidenced by the number of projects funded, the reach of those projects within the community, the level of community engagement and partnerships fostered, and tangible improvements in the designated sustainability categories. The program anticipates awarding a total of $75,000 in 2024, with individual grants capped at $7,500, indicating a focus on supporting multiple, smaller-scale community-led initiatives rather than a few large projects.

This program provides operational funding to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Phoenix that engage the community through diverse programming and demonstrate strong governance and financial stability.

This funding opportunity provides neighborhood associations in South Bend with financial support for innovative, resident-led projects that improve community engagement and enhance local quality of life.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in San Mateo County that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them cover operating expenses and recover from revenue losses.

The City of Athens is offering the 2025 Tourism Development Grant, a program specifically designed to promote tourism and attract overnight visitors to Athens. The primary mission of this grant aligns directly with the city's strategic priority to enhance and grow its tourism, convention, and hotel industry. The program is open to eligible organizations or events located within the Athens city limits, with a core focus on projects that are demonstrably effective in drawing visitors from outside the city. This initiative reflects the City of Athens' theory of change, which posits that targeted financial support for tourism-enhancing projects will lead to increased economic activity and the overall development of the local hospitality sector. The target beneficiaries of this grant are organizations and events that contribute to the tourism ecosystem within Athens, ultimately aiming to benefit local hotels, businesses, and the general economy through increased visitor traffic. The impact goal is to substantially increase the number of overnight visitors and, consequently, boost economic activity in Athens. This is achieved by ensuring that funded projects directly enhance and promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry. The grant has specific priorities, including advertising, promotion of the arts (with a cap of 15% of annual Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax revenues), sporting event promotion, tourist transportation systems, and signage directing tourists to local attractions. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in hotel occupancy rates, greater attendance at local events, and an overall rise in tourist-related spending within the city. The program emphasizes that projects must be specifically designed to attract overnight visitors, ensuring that the allocated funds directly contribute to this key objective. While the City of Athens is not obligated to allocate collected Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues unless a funding contract is in place, the council's final decision on fund allocation ensures that projects are vetted for their potential impact and alignment with strategic goals. To ensure accountability and effective use of public funds, applicants must meet several eligibility requirements. These include demonstrating good financial standing and having safeguards in place to protect public funds. Applicants must also be legal entities capable of entering into contracts, governed by a board of directors or similar structure, and demonstrate public accessibility for their programs or events. The focus on direct benefit, where funds must enhance tourism by attracting visitors from outside Athens, serves as a measurable result, ensuring that the grant achieves its core objective of promoting the city as a desirable tourist destination.

The ArtsFairfax Project Support Grants program is designed to encourage the development and advancement of the arts in Fairfax County, Virginia, and to serve the artistic and cultural needs of its residents. ArtsFairfax, the donor, aligns its mission with these grants by providing funding to both arts organizations and individual artists for projects that engage the community. This program supports established and developing arts organizations, promotes opportunities for individual artists, and aims to be a catalyst for increased private sector support for the arts through leveraged public funding. The target beneficiaries of these grants include eligible nonprofit arts organizations, both established and developing, as well as individual artists and non-501(c)(3) arts groups through partnerships. The program specifically aims to engage new audiences in the arts and contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in Fairfax County. Impact goals include fostering artistic development and recognition, strengthening arts engagement, and ensuring diverse cultural programming is available to all residents, including underserved and economically disadvantaged communities. The program prioritizes activities that are not part of an organization's usual activities, such as designing and implementing new class offerings, bringing in guest artists who might normally be financially out of reach, or enhancing and expanding existing program offerings. The four grant subcategories—Arts in Education, Opportunity, Partnerships with Individual Artists, Artist Teams/Cooperatives, non-501(c)(3) Arts Groups, and Arts Access—each focus on specific areas of artistic engagement and development. Arts in Education projects provide high-impact art experiences, Opportunity projects enable organizations to take advantage of atypical opportunities, Partnerships support collaborations, and Arts Access projects strengthen engagement in underserved communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased participation in the arts, the creation and presentation of new artistic endeavors, enhanced scope of program offerings, and reduced barriers to high-quality arts experiences in communities with limited access. The grants range from $1,000 to $30,000, with a grant period of two years. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed as numerical targets, the emphasis on engaging new audiences, supporting diverse programming, and strengthening arts engagement suggests that successful outcomes would be demonstrated through increased attendance, participation, and the development of new artistic initiatives within Fairfax County.

This funding opportunity supports community-led initiatives in Philadelphia that aim to reduce violence and enhance neighborhood safety, particularly for young Black and brown men, through various programs like job training, educational outreach, and trauma-informed care.

This grant provides funding to support projects that enhance public spaces and engage the community in transforming Downtown Clearwater into a vibrant and creative destination.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations in Loudoun County, Virginia, to implement projects focused on environmental conservation and historic preservation.

The Arts Council of Moore County (ACMC) offers a grant program aimed at supporting arts projects within Moore County, North Carolina. This grant seeks to provide funds for both new arts initiatives and general operating expenses for eligible organizations. The ACMC's mission aligns with fostering artistic endeavors and cultural enrichment by empowering local groups to implement diverse arts programs that benefit the community. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are nonprofit organizations with 501(c)3 status, or those utilizing a fiscal agent, as well as schools within Moore County. While individual artists are not directly eligible for these Grassroots Arts funds, they may apply for an Artists Support Grant. The impact goal is to strengthen the arts infrastructure in Moore County by supporting a variety of artistic expressions and making them accessible to the community. The grant prioritizes projects in focus areas such as performances, festivals, art exhibitions, after-school arts programs, arts camps, artist residencies, and artist fees for classes and workshops. It also supports marketing expenses, royalties, props, sets, costumes, and equipment rental for theatre performances. These focuses are designed to ensure a broad spectrum of artistic activities are supported, reflecting a strategic priority to cultivate a vibrant and diverse arts scene. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number and quality of arts events and programs in Moore County, greater community engagement with the arts, and enhanced support for local artists and arts organizations. Measurable results could include the number of performances held, participants in workshops, and attendance at festivals and exhibitions. The ACMC's theory of change posits that by providing financial support for these initiatives, it can directly contribute to the cultural vitality and educational enrichment of Moore County.

This program provides funding to support innovative arts projects in Racine County, Wisconsin, encouraging collaboration among local artists, schools, and nonprofit organizations.