Local Arts Grants

The Highland County Community Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, is currently requesting grant applications to support projects and programs benefiting residents and communities within Highland County, Ohio. This grant program aligns with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's broader mission to advance opportunities and address pressing needs in the region. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in fostering progress across five key Pillars of Prosperity: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. This framework reflects a theory of change that by investing in these critical areas, the foundation aims to unleash the potential within Highland County and improve the overall well-being of its population. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include individuals of all ages within Highland County who are leading efforts that create opportunities, meet urgent needs, and activate community potential. The program specifically welcomes applications from nonprofits (including 501(c) organizations), schools, and public organizations such as public school districts, higher education institutions, and government subdivisions. Additionally, groups without direct nonprofit or public status are eligible if they are working under the fiscal sponsorship of an eligible nonprofit or public entity, ensuring a broad reach for impactful initiatives. The primary focus of these grants is on supporting initiatives that contribute to the five Pillars of Prosperity. This includes projects that enhance cultural vibrancy, stimulate local economic growth, improve educational access and quality, promote sustainable environmental practices, and strengthen health and human services. Emphasis is placed on projects that demonstrate a clear potential to create meaningful opportunities and address identified needs within Highland County, aligning with the foundation's overarching goals for regional development and community empowerment. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantifiable targets, the expected outcomes are centered around advancing opportunities, meeting pressing needs, and unleashing potential across the five pillar areas. Successful projects are anticipated to contribute to a stronger, more vibrant Highland County by fostering innovation, supporting community-led solutions, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The funding information indicates that requests should generally be between $500 and $5,000, with larger requests considered based on their potential for significant impact, suggesting that projects with demonstrable potential for broad positive change will be prioritized.

The Montgomery County Office of Grants Management is offering its 2025 School-Based Food Assistance Grant Program. This program aims to bolster food security for students and their families by funding initiatives co-located at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) sites. The overarching goal is to address critical gaps in healthy food access for children and families and to foster innovative approaches to integrate food assistance directly within school communities. The program aligns with a strategic priority to support projects that effectively tackle food insecurity and leverage school sites for broader community benefit, demonstrating a theory of change focused on direct, accessible, and community-embedded food support. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are students and families in Montgomery County who rely on school meals or face barriers to food access, such as transportation challenges. The impact goals are to increase nutrition security and provide convenient access to essential food resources. Successful programs are expected to demonstrate past experience in operating school-based food assistance programs with MCPS, propose quickly actionable program models for new schools, and identify potential zip codes, capacity, resource needs, and expansion formats. The program prioritizes projects that address significant needs in healthy food access for children and families and/or offer innovative models for co-locating food assistance at MCPS school sites. The Office of Food and Special Programs (OFSR) is collaborating with MCPS to identify priority school sites based on community need and the anticipated impact of new or expanded programming. This strategic focus ensures that funding is directed where it can have the most profound effect on alleviating food insecurity. The expected outcomes include the establishment or expansion of diverse food assistance models, such as choice pantries offering culturally relevant and healthy foods, pre-packed box/bag distributions with locally sourced produce, medically or preference-tailored prepared meal deliveries, and grocery gift card distributions to address transportation and other barriers. The total grant funding available is $1,250,000, with individual awards ranging from $40,000 to $300,000, and a performance period from approximately August 15, 2024, to June 30, 2025. This financial commitment and flexible programming range are designed to generate measurable results in terms of increased access to nutritious food and improved food security for the target population.

The Chester County Community Foundation's Fund for ChesCo Capacity Building Grants program is designed to strengthen the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) serving the Chester County region. This aligns directly with the foundation's mission to support and enhance the community by empowering the organizations that work within it. The grants aim to help NPOs achieve a higher level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, enabling them to fulfill their missions more effectively and efficiently. The target beneficiaries for this program are NPOs located in and serving Chester County, specifically those with budgets of $500,000 or less. The impact goal is to enhance the overall effectiveness and sustainability of these organizations. By building their capacity, the program seeks to ensure that essential services and programs continue to be delivered to the community, ultimately leading to a stronger, more resilient Chester County. The program prioritizes several key areas for capacity building, including Mission, Vision & Strategy; Governance & Leadership; Partnerships & Collaborations; Operations & Technology; and Fundraising, Development & Marketing. Within these broad categories, specific focuses include organizational assessments, strategic planning, board development, executive transition planning, coalition building, financial management, technology improvements, and various resource development campaigns. Expected outcomes include improved organizational assessment and strategic planning, more effective governance and leadership structures, enhanced collaborative efforts among NPOs, more robust operational and technological infrastructure, and stronger fundraising and marketing capabilities. Measurable results could include documented strategic plans, increased board engagement, new or strengthened partnerships, implemented technology solutions, and successful development campaigns. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly rooted in a theory of change that posits that by investing in the foundational strength and operational capabilities of NPOs, the overall health and well-being of the Chester County community will improve. This approach recognizes that effective nonprofits are crucial drivers of positive social change, and by strengthening them, the foundation can achieve a broader and more sustainable impact across various sectors.

The Monmouth County Community Grant, supported by the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ), welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations addressing a diverse array of community needs. While the CFNJ's broader mission likely encompasses fostering philanthropy and addressing critical issues within New Jersey, this specific grant program aligns with a commitment to supporting local initiatives in Monmouth County. The grant program seeks to empower organizations that demonstrate a dedication to improving the lives of residents and strengthening the community as a whole. This grant primarily targets underserved populations within Monmouth County, aiming to benefit them directly through programs and services in critical areas such as education, healthcare, housing, food security, employment, and youth development. The expected outcomes include tangible improvements in these areas, leading to enhanced well-being, increased opportunities, and a more equitable community for these beneficiaries. A key priority for funding consideration is a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), evident in both the leadership and service delivery of applicant organizations. Furthermore, the grant emphasizes collaborative partnerships between nonprofit organizations, community groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders. This focus on collaboration aims to maximize impact and address systemic issues affecting underserved populations more effectively, reflecting a strategic approach to problem-solving. The program also offers general operating support, recognizing the importance of sustained funding for nonprofits to continue their vital missions. The grant amount is up to $10,000 per organization, with eligibility primarily extended to nonprofit organizations with less than a $1,000,000 operating budget serving Monmouth County. This demonstrates a strategic priority to support smaller to medium-sized local organizations, enabling them to achieve measurable results and contribute to the overall health and vitality of the community.

The Little Haiti Revitalization Trust is launching the Small Business Grant Program to support economic growth and revitalization in Little Haiti, Miami. The Trust will oversee and facilitate the city's revitalization efforts in line with the Five-Year Consolidated Plan. The program aims to stimulate employment, business growth, and investment within the Little Haiti boundaries. Eligible businesses can receive up to $20,000 for commercial improvements or $10,000 for innovation improvements, with a match option available. Funding can be used for various commercial improvements such as lighting, roofing, signage, ADA compliance, landscaping, and more. To qualify for funding, businesses must meet specific criteria including registration with the State of Florida before January 1, 2021; possession of a City of Miami-issued Certificate of Use; current status with Business Tax Receipt payments; operation within Little Haiti boundaries; and compliance with financial obligations to the City of Miami. Preference will be given to businesses that align best with the grant program's objectives, legacy businesses operating for 7 or more years within Little Haiti boundaries, and those located in the downtown corridor on NE 2nd Ave between 54th – 71st street within Little Haiti boundaries. For more information and application details, visit Little Haiti Revitalization Trust website.

The Nonprofit Capacity Building Capital Support grant program, funded by ARPA, is designed to strengthen nonprofits by addressing their capital needs, thereby improving core operations and infrastructure. This initiative by Gwinnett County aims to assist local nonprofits in more effectively carrying out their missions, both now and in the future, by providing capital support. The program's core aligns with a strategic objective to enhance the capacity and sustainability of organizations serving the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant are private nonprofit organizations registered as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) that have been in operation for at least 12 months. These organizations must demonstrate a history of serving Gwinnett County residents and have experienced negative economic impacts due to COVID-19. The program specifically seeks to identify nonprofits with limited capacity but impactful activities for Gwinnett County residents most in need, with the overarching impact goal of increasing their effectiveness and ability to meet community needs. The program's priorities and focuses include providing capital support for items such as equipment, software solutions, and vehicles. A key focus is to fund as many organizations as possible within the available funding to increase the overall effectiveness of local nonprofits. This reflects a strategic priority to support organizational capacity building that will sustain or enhance the ability of these nonprofits to address community needs, particularly those aligning with existing recommendations from the Human Services Strategic Plan. Expected outcomes include enhanced organizational capacity, improved infrastructure, and more effective service delivery by Gwinnett County nonprofits. Measurable results will be reflected in the number of organizations receiving awards, with individual capital support awards ranging from $3,000 to $100,000. The county anticipates awarding up to $4,550,000 for these projects, with each award having a duration of 12 months, allowing for concrete project implementation and assessment of capacity improvements.

The Arlington County Department of Human Services is offering a grant funding opportunity to support its Food Security Strategic Plan. This initiative aligns with the department's mission to address food insecurity and improve nutrition equity within Arlington County. The grant aims to support projects that enhance food access, promote outreach and education, build capacity among food assistance providers, and facilitate informed decision-making through data collection. The maximum grant award for a single project is $25,000, with funds to be spent by June 30, 2025. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are Arlington County residents experiencing food insecurity. The program targets various populations through strategies such as enhancing school-based supplemental food offerings, establishing new charitable food distributions in underserved neighborhoods, and increasing nutrition education opportunities for residents of all ages. The overarching impact goal is to eliminate, reduce, and prevent disparities in food security, ensuring that all those in need receive adequate support. The grant prioritizes projects that address at least one of five key strategies outlined in the Strategic Plan: Systemic Change, Food Access, Outreach & Education, Capacity Building, and Informed Decision Making. Specific focuses include improving nutrition equity, increasing food rescue and redistribution, promoting food assistance resources like SNAP, developing training materials for staff and volunteers, and collecting data on usage trends and services. Eligible organizations include IRS-designated 501c3 nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and public schools or universities that serve Arlington residents. Expected outcomes include improved access to nutritious food for Arlington residents, increased awareness and enrollment in food assistance programs, enhanced operational capacity for food pantries and meal programs, and better-informed decision-making based on collected data. Measurable results could include an increase in the number of residents served, the quantity of food distributed, the number of individuals participating in nutrition education, and the implementation of new or improved food security policies and practices. The grant period is from October 2024 through June 30, 2025, with funding awards announced in September 2024.

This program empowers high school students in Black Hawk County to distribute funds to nonprofit organizations, fostering youth philanthropy and community engagement.

The Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley (WFGV) is offering an Immersive Grant Writing Program designed to empower women of color in the fundraising sector. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support and enhance the talents of women of color, recognizing a historical disparity where organizations led by people of color are often underfunded and mistrusted with grant funds. By building capacity in grant writing, WFGV aims to address systemic inequities and foster greater financial stability for these organizations. The target beneficiaries for this program are non-profit leaders of color (women) within Monroe County, NY. While not exclusively for Executive Directors, participants' career paths should be focused on fundraising, and each organization is permitted to bring one additional person to the program. The impact goals are to strengthen the fundraising capabilities of these organizations, thereby increasing their access to critical funding and enabling them to expand their reach and effectiveness within the community. The program's primary focus is on capacity building in grant writing, providing the necessary tools and knowledge for women of color to excel in this area. This emphasis reflects WFGV's strategic priority to invest in leadership development and provide practical skills that lead to tangible improvements for non-profit organizations. The underlying theory of change posits that by equipping women of color with advanced grant writing skills, WFGV can directly contribute to greater equity in philanthropic funding and empower these leaders to make a more significant difference in their communities. Expected outcomes include each participating organization being awarded $1,000 towards their first grant-finding activity upon completion of the program. The program itself spans six months and includes ten sessions, offered both in-person and online, indicating a commitment to flexible and accessible learning. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of grant applications submitted, the success rate of these applications, and the overall increase in funding secured by participant organizations following the program. This structured approach ensures that the program's effectiveness can be monitored and evaluated against its stated goals.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Washington, DC's Chinatown that enhance the area's cultural identity and economic vitality through long-term commercial leases.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County to help them address community needs and enhance their impact on local residents.

This funding opportunity supports educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in Hawaiʻi to implement projects that improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy, and enhance access to clean energy, particularly for disadvantaged communities.

The Local Arts Program (LAP) Grant, administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission (SCC&HC), aims to support local arts development within Somerset County, New Jersey. This program is an initiative of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) and is designed to channel funds to officially designated county arts agencies, with the SCC&HC serving as that agency for Somerset County. The grant's mission aligns with fostering public participation in the arts and increasing accessibility to artistic programs and services for Somerset County residents. The target beneficiaries are Somerset County-based non-profit organizations incorporated in New Jersey and designated tax-exempt (501(c)3 or (c)4), as well as Somerset County-based governmental agencies or commissions under a municipality or township. The primary impact goal is to enhance the local arts landscape by enabling organizations to offer programs that benefit residents and to improve the management of local arts organizations. The program prioritizes organizations that provide programs or services that increase access to the Arts, expand upon creative placemaking initiatives, or seek to improve the management of local arts organizations. Eligibility also requires that the proposed arts program or project takes place within Somerset County and directly benefits its residents. Programs within educational or religious institutions are generally ineligible unless they are after-school programs that are broadly advertised, open, and welcoming to the general public. Expected outcomes include a more vibrant and accessible arts community in Somerset County, increased public participation in various artistic endeavors, and strengthened local arts organizations through improved management and program delivery. Grant applications are evaluated by an independent peer panel, ensuring a competitive and merit-based selection process. Recommendations for funding are then submitted to the SCC&HC for final approval, with grants authorized by resolution with the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, reinforcing accountability and local oversight.

This grant provides funding to public and nonprofit-private accredited Pre-K through grade 12 schools in Anne Arundel County to support arts integration into their educational programs through performances, assemblies, and artist residencies.

This program provides funding and support to develop affordable housing with services for Hennepin County's most vulnerable residents, including those experiencing homelessness, severe health issues, or complex needs.

This program provides financial assistance to farmers in Orange County, North Carolina, to support innovative agricultural projects that enhance income and market access.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government-related entities in Worcester County, Maryland, to enhance cultural access and artistic projects within the community.

The Springfield Foundation's Competitive Grant Program aims to support the entire Clark County community through six focus areas: Arts & Culture, Civic Affairs, Education, Environment, Conservation & Animal Welfare, Health, and Human Services. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's mission to foster a community with strong cultural vitality, engaged citizens, improved environmental awareness, quality education, better health outcomes, and a strong safety net for human needs. The foundation emphasizes a holistic approach, addressing various facets of community well-being and growth. The program targets a wide range of beneficiaries, including individuals of all ages experiencing art and culture, Clark County citizens for civic engagement, residents for environmental appreciation, children for early education and college readiness, individuals at risk of unintended pregnancies and STIs, those with mental health issues or chronic diseases, and families/individuals needing human services. The impact goals are to increase diversity and attendance at arts and culture events, improve civic knowledge and participation, increase environmental awareness and pet welfare, boost kindergarten readiness and college/career preparedness, improve reproductive and mental health, better manage chronic diseases, and achieve financial stability and positive outcomes for all people, especially youth and seniors. The foundation prioritizes increasing opportunities for artists and audiences, educating and engaging active citizens, fostering environmental appreciation and reducing homeless pets, increasing enrollment in early childhood programs and post-secondary preparation, impacting community health by addressing unintended pregnancies and STIs, improving mental health and chronic disease management, and assisting families and individuals with emergency needs, family breakdown prevention, economic self-sufficiency, and independent living. A key strategic priority is also promoting positive outcomes for all people, with specific attention to youth and seniors. The expected outcomes and measurable results include increased diversity and attendance at arts and culture events, improved civic knowledge and participation, increased citizen participation in environmental activities, a decrease in homeless pets, more children enrolling in early childhood programs, increased parental involvement in education, more students in post-secondary preparation, improved mental health outcomes, decreased incidence of unintended pregnancies and STIs, better management of chronic diseases, and increased financial independence and overall quality of life for individuals and families. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by investing in these diverse focus areas, they can create a more vibrant, engaged, educated, healthy, and supportive community for all residents of Clark County.

The Art Committee Grant Program, established by the City of Gastonia, aims to foster public access to quality arts programs, promote diversity in the arts, and stimulate economic development and tourism within the city. This initiative is rooted in North Carolina General Statute, which empowers local governments to establish and support arts programs and facilities through appropriations to governmental agencies, public or nonprofit private associations, corporations, or organizations. The program aligns with the city's broader mission to enrich the cultural landscape for its citizens and drive local economic growth through artistic endeavors. The program primarily targets eligible nonprofit arts organizations with 501(c)(3) status that maintain a permanent office, practice/performance space, or physical address within Gastonia's municipal boundaries. The impact goals include expanding the reach of arts programs, increasing the diversity of artistic expressions available to the public, and ultimately contributing to the city's economic vitality and attractiveness as a tourist destination. By supporting these organizations, the program seeks to strengthen the local arts ecosystem. The core priorities and focus areas of this grant program revolve around supporting qualifying arts programs. The definition of "arts" is broad, encompassing performing arts, visual arts, and literary arts, including dance, drama, music, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, crafts, photography, film, video, architecture, design, and literature, when part of a performing, visual, or literary arts program. This wide scope ensures a diverse array of artistic expressions can receive funding, promoting comprehensive cultural development. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in public engagement with the arts, a broader representation of diverse artistic forms and cultures, and a positive economic impact through tourism and local spending generated by arts events. While specific metrics are not detailed, the underlying theory of change suggests that by providing financial support to local arts organizations, the City of Gastonia can directly enhance cultural accessibility and diversity, thereby creating a more vibrant community and stimulating economic benefits. The grant awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 per recipient. This funding mechanism is a direct implementation of the City Council's authority under Section 160A-488 of the North Carolina General Statute, reflecting a strategic priority to leverage local government capabilities for community enrichment. The program's design emphasizes support for organizations that are firmly rooted in the Gastonia community, ensuring that the investments directly benefit the city and its residents.

The Grants for the Arts Arts Programming grant supports arts and culture organizations in San Francisco. This program is designed to foster economic investment in the city through robust and diverse programming, demonstrating a commitment to artistic quality and community engagement. The overarching goal is to deliberately improve San Francisco by integrating arts and culture with communities to understand needs and cultivate lasting, equitable change. This aligns with a strategic priority to leverage arts for social good and community development, serving as a catalyst for positive transformation within the city. Target beneficiaries for this grant are arts and culture organizations, specifically those that are nonprofit 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) entities, or those using a fiscal sponsor. The impact goals are broad, focusing on economic investment, professional employment within the arts, high artistic quality, and deep community engagement. Expected outcomes include well-attended events, a demonstrated commitment to improving San Francisco through arts, and evidence of responsible operational and fiscal management from grantee organizations. These outcomes contribute to a theory of change where a vibrant arts sector directly enhances community well-being and economic stability. The program prioritizes organizations that demonstrate economic investment through diverse programming and well-attended events, employ professionals for high artistic quality, and utilize arts and culture to deliberately improve San Francisco through deep community engagement. There is also a focus on organizations with a strong track record of responsible operational and fiscal management. This ensures that the grants support sustainable and impactful initiatives that can effectively deliver on their promises to the community. Funding amounts vary based on the organization's budget size, ranging from $10,000 for first-time grantees or those with previous low-scoring applications, up to $265,000 for "Mega" organizations with budgets exceeding $15 million. The grant duration is two years, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026. Eligibility also requires the applicant organization to be San Francisco-based, with non-fiscally sponsored organizations needing to demonstrate a San Francisco corporate address through verifiable documentation. This local focus underscores the foundation's strategic priority to directly benefit its immediate community and strengthen the local arts ecosystem.