Best Grants for the Arts

About Us

Since 1991, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Whitley County, Indiana to make their philanthropic giving as impactful as possible. We are a public charity serving Whitley County citizens who share a common concern—improving the quality of life in Whitley County. To do this, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations have made donations to the Greater Good Fund of Whitley County and instructed the Foundation to direct their gifts wherever the need is the greatest. These funds are invested and twice a year the Foundation’s volunteer Grants Committee reviews applications and makes funding recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Giving is the heart of what we do here at the Community Foundation. Every year, we give over $1 million dollars to non-profits, community entities, and college-bound students here in Whitley County. We fund a variety of causes that promote sustainable impact towards the betterment of Whitley County. Your project may be next!

What We Grant

The Community Foundation’s Greater Good Fund responds to the ever-changing issues facing Whitley County.

Twice a year (April 1 and November 1) the Foundation’s volunteer Grants Committee reviews applications and makes funding recommendations to the Board of Directors. Grants are made possible by donors who have instructed the Foundation to direct their gifts wherever the need is the greatest.

Categories of support include:

• Arts & Culture,
• Health,
• Human Services,
• Recreation,
• Community Development,
• animal welfare, and
• Education.

Impact 100 Perry County Grantmaking Program 

A small group of women came together in December 2016 with one thing in mind – forming a local organization to bring transformational grants to Perry County. The model they have used was established in Cincinnati, Ohio by philanthropist Wendy Steele. Using Wendy’s model, this local group founded Impact 100 Perry County and soon after, adopted the tag line “The Power of Women Giving as One,” which accurately describes our mission. Individually, $500 donations cannot make much of an impact on an organization, but when combined with a group of others, can have a significant impact on a 501(c)3 organization, public school or government entity. 

This year, Impact 100 Perry County will award one lump sum grant to one local non-profit organization in the amount of $16,000. If your organization has a project that could utilize up to that amount, please precisely describe the project and how it could benefit the community.

Communities Foundation of Oklahoma

The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma stems from the vision of Tom McCasland Jr., and Gene Rainbolt. Two decades ago, these gentlemen formed a shared vision to create a single philanthropic organization to serve the charitable needs to rural communities across the great state of Oklahoma. Today, CFO has grown to assist hundreds of efforts in more than 45 counties.

Scholarship Opportunities

CFO offers over 100 diverse scholarship opportunities, empowering students across the state to pursue their educational goals. Each scholarship is tailored to meet unique needs, making higher education more accessible for all.

Ashley Parks Creative Scholarship

Supports continued education in the arts or creative fields for non-traditional students.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation Community Grant Fund, in partnership with the Greater Salina Community Foundation, supports projects across 26 counties in Northwest Kansas. This grant initiative focuses on enhancing education, healthcare, social services, conservation, arts, and community beautification. Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and government organizations, promoting sustainable community development and volunteer involvement, ensuring long-term positive impacts on local quality of life.

The Our Fund Foundation

The Our Fund Foundation was launched in 2010 by a small group of committed activist philanthropists in response to the low ratio of philanthropy directed to LGBTQ organizations in the region, and across the country.

Our Mission: To promote philanthropy, manage enduring investments, and conduct impactful grant-making to improve the lives of LGBTQ people in South Florida.

Our Vision: To make South Florida the most livable and thriving place in the country for LGBTQ people.

LGBTQ Arts & Culture Grant

Our Fund Foundation recognizes the importance of arts and culture to inspire, empower and transform individuals and communities. Grants from this fund promote South Florida artistic expression that amplifies LGBTQ voices and works in the service of preserving, telling and celebrating LGBTQ stories and promoting LGBTQ equality and social justice.

Agencies interested in applying for and receiving grants from the LGBTQ Arts & Culture Fund are encouraged to attend to have questions answered about the application, process, and priorities for the LGBTQ Arts & Culture Fund grants.

Our Story

As a public charity dedicated to serving the needs of our region, everything we do here is about the community.

The notion of a community caring for its own is written in our organizational DNA. Our foundation was created in 1995 with proceeds from the sale of The Venice Hospital, a community hospital that had been founded by local citizens more than four decades earlier. We are a collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families, organizations, and corporations to support their favorite causes in our region and around the world. Over 850 generous philanthropists call Gulf Coast home. Together with our donors, we have invested over $650 million in grants and impact in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment.

GCCF: Catalytic Grants

Supporting bold, collaborative projects that create lasting regional impact. These grants typically exceed $25,000. 

Funding areas include: Arts & Culture, Civic & Economic Development, Education, Environment, and Health & Human Services

Armstrong County Community Foundation

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Susan Falsetti-Burdett Memorial Scholarship Fund for Music

Born in Kittanning in 1957, Susan Burdett was the daughter of Aldo and Dorothy (Trenchik) Falsetti, and was a lifelong resident of our community. Susie was a loving daughter, sister, mother, wife, and friend. She taught music to many over the years, and also taught at Divine Redeemer School. She was caring, compassionate, sharing and understanding. Her charity will live on through this Susan Falsetti-Burdett memorial Scholarship Fund for Music.

Scholarship Details

• Available to High School Seniors
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.

Northern New York Community Foundation

Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.

Potsdam Community Fund

The Potsdam Community Fund is a permanent charitable resource dedicated to enhancing the quality of life throughout the Town and Village of Potsdam. Through annual grantmaking, the fund supports projects and programs that strengthen the community, address emerging needs and opportunities, and improve the lives of local residents. 

Chester County Community Foundation

The Chester County Community Foundation connects people who care with the causes that matter, so their philanthropy makes a difference now and forever.

We are entrusted with 430+ family, individual, community group & nonprofit legacy funds. We are a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.  

Direct Service Programs/General Operations Grant

• Grants focus on Chester County causes & issues; but are not limited to Chester County.
• Charitable nonprofits working in all fields of interest are considered, such as: Arts, Culture, Heritage; Education, Libraries; Environment, Animals; Health; Human Services; Social Justice, Civic Engagement
• General operating grants are encouraged - Clear, succinct, compelling descriptions are appreciated: mission, aims, results & impact. 
• Nonprofits with higher GuideStar ratings receive stronger consideration.  
• Proposals can be submitted anytime all year.
• Grant decisions are made intermittently all year, as Fund Advisors desire.

Community Impact Grants (CIG) -

Community Impact Grants (CIG) are made in the fields of: Arts and Culture, Education, Health and Human Services, Recreation, Youth and Family Services, and Community and Economic Development.

The Foundation focuses on:

• Capital and Equipment Projects, Program Development, Capacity Building, and Operating Support.

Grant requests will be considered based on the applicant’s service area and on grant funds available. Grants typically range from $1,000 – $10,000.

Capital and Equipment Grants

Support the renovation or construction of facilities, purchase of major equipment, major repairs to facilities.

IDEA Collaborative Grants

Ongoing Support for Black-Led Nonprofits in Frederick.

The IDEA Collaborative Grant is a new 12-month funding opportunity designed to support meaningful, outcomes-driven partnerships between Black-led nonprofit organizations addressing a clearly defined community issue. The grant emphasizes capacity building and a growth mindset, encouraging hands-on collaboration specifically among Black-led organizations.

Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend a virtual information session on July 21, 2026, where Foundation staff will provide an overview of the application process and timeline.

Grants will be awarded in November 2026 for programming and collaboration to take place in 2027. Two grants of $40,000-$60,000 each will be awarded to two separate collaborative efforts. Support from a consultant will be available to help shape the collaborative structure during the application process.

Projects must align with AFF’s key focus areas:

• Youth, Children & Families
• Public & Society Benefit
• Health & Human Services
• Arts & Culture

CNYCF: Community Grants Program- Spring Cycle

We support the following types of projects that promote community impact, capacity building and diversity:

Capital Projects: including large scale capital campaigns, repairs and replacements, technology upgrades, and equipment/furnishing purchases.

Capital and programmatic grants $10,000-$150,000 are available through the Dr. Robert J. Vitkus Fund to organizations in Onondaga, Madison, Cortland, Cayuga and Oswego counties that support outdoor parks and recreation areas. Preferences are for parks and recreation areas that provide access for hunting and fishing, naming opportunities, programs that involve youth, and conservation efforts to improve wildlife habitat and forest health. 

Program: support for new and innovative programs, or the expansion of proven existing programs that address our community’s most pressing needs.

Focus Areas

• Arts & culture, environment, animals, civic engagement, education

Cook County Community Fund 

Mission

The Cook County Community Fund supports initiatives that strengthen community connections and respond to local needs across six key areas: arts, education, community development, the environment, human services, and youth.

Funding Priorities

• We prioritize projects that build collaboration, address the root causes of challenges, and bring people together across Cook County.
• Grants often support new or emerging ideas, especially those that can make a meaningful difference with modest funding.
• Applicants are encouraged to seek matching funds, and proposals that leverage additional support are given strong consideration.

‍Other Considersations

While the Fund does not typically support capital projects or ongoing program costs, we may offer short-term or multi-year funding to help launch promising new efforts—so long as there’s a plan for sustaining the work after our grant ends.

Award Range

• $1,000 to $5,000

Grant Cycle

• Spring

The James & Ursula Williams Teacher Grants Program : Academics, Arts and Culture Grants:

As a born native of Vallejo, James was generationally admired for his enduring work ethic and was lovingly embraced for his dedication and support to family, friends, and community. Ursula’s self-motivation, persistence, and quest for excellence brought her professional recognition. As a community activist, she shared her leadership organizational skills as a member of community and political organizations who made positive contributions to the community.

In life, they created and took advantage of all opportunities presented to them. Both recognized the important role that education made in creating healthy, happy, and productive lives for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren. The Williams Family hopes to continue their legacy through The James & Ursula Williams Family Fund.

Academics, Arts and Culture Grants:

Grants of up to $500 are available to enhance your classroom curriculum in subjects like history, geography, and literature; and in arts programs such as music, theater, dance, and visual arts. This grant can be used to purchase classroom materials related to these areas of study. Examples: Golden State Biography books, painting supplies, paying for a visiting artist to come to the classroom, etc.

North Dakota Council on the Arts

North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) is a service and program agency of the state, established in 1967 by State Legislature “to ensure that the role of the arts in the life of our communities will continue to grow and will play an evermore significant part in the welfare and educational experience of our citizens.” Our purpose is to bring that commitment to life. NDCA operates with an annual budget of over $2 million through the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and an appropriation from the North Dakota State Legislature. The majority of NDCA’s budget is awarded to organizations and individuals through various grant programs.

We strengthen the creative capacity of North Dakota for all who live and visit here, honoring our cultural traditions, empowering excellence and innovation, inspiring arts and culture opportunities for all.

Institutional Support Grant Program

Institutional Support (IS) is a three-year grant program that provides general operating support for arts nonprofits with an established record of high-quality programmatic service and administrative stability. This includes arts organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art, artist service organizations, art councils, and community art schools, as well as cultural arts organizations.

About

A History Of Making Waves

Carnival Foundation oversees the many philanthropic endeavors of Carnival Corporation as well as its employee-driven service group, the “Friends Uniting Neighbors” (F.U.N.) Team.

Carnival Foundation’s contributions are widespread, touching the communities where the brands visit and operate. From the cities where our brands are headquartered to ports we visit around the world, we endeavor to make a difference to the lives of many.

Through monetary and in-kind donations, innovative philanthropic programs, employee fundraisers and hands-on volunteer initiatives, Carnival Foundation and the brands of Carnival Corporation support a variety of organizations. Whether it’s providing meals to the homeless and abuse prevention or working toward medical advancement and educating youth, Carnival Foundation’s reach is communitywide.

In-Kind Donations

To apply for an in-kind donation from Carnival Foundation, submit an online application complete with the following information:

• A letter of request with a brief description of the organization including its legal name, history, activities, purpose and governing board
• Contact name and information, including phone number and address for the individual who is organizing the event
• Name and date of the event
• Average amount of funds raised from the auction in previous years and estimated number and demographics of the event audience
• Description of how funds raised from the donation will be used within the organization
• List of other cruise suppliers, if any, participating in the event
• An outline with details of Carnival’s publicity/promotional opportunities associated with the event
• Copy of Internal Revenue Service determination letter indicating 501© (3) tax-exempt status as an organization that is not a private foundation.
• Copy of organization’s most recent 990 filed with the Internal Revenue Service
• Geographical area(s) served

TOT Grant Program

The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Grant was established in 2017. It is a project/program based award providing support to non-profit organizations located in Sacramento County that carry out community-based programs and/or services in the areas of arts and culture, community development and services, economic or workforce development​ and health and human services. Once awarded, grant funds are administered on a reimbursement basis upon review and approval of an invoice submission with supporting documentation.

The TOT Grant funding support is designed for, but not limited to:

• Training, development, and education; 
• Programs, projects and events that support tourism;  
• Projects that address a community issue or problem; and/or
• Projects that extend the reach of services to underserved populations.

Annually the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors dedicates $1,000,000 of the County's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue to be allocated to the TOT Grant Program through a competitive application process. Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 is the tenth TOT Grant funding cycle which will be approved during the June Recommended Budget hearings on June 2026.  

Background & Purpose

The California Arts Council (CAC) is a statewide agency committed to serving California artists, arts organizations, and communities of all sizes and needs. Guided by racial equity principles, the CAC continuously evaluates its grantmaking practices to ensure fair and inclusive funding opportunities that sustain a vibrant, safe, and resilient creative ecosystem across the state.

Through regionally based Administering Organizations (AOs), the Individual Artists Fellowship (IAF) program uplifts and celebrates California artists across all disciplines and traditions, highlights their excellence and acknowledges their leadership in shaping traditional and contemporary cultures. The program includes three fellowship tiers with a different award amount:

CAC Emerging Artist Fellows – $5,000

Emerging artists are those in the beginning stages of making their work public and engaging the larger community in their practice.

CAC Established Artist Fellows – $10,000

Artists in the Established tier regularly make their work public and engage the larger community in their practice.

CAC Legacy Artist Fellows – $50,000

Artists in the Legacy tier can point to a significant body of work, produced over a substantial period of time, that has engaged their communities and that has made significant social impact.

The CAC approved eight regional AOs for the fellowship in September 2025. Each of the AOs has information and  details regarding their Individual Artists Fellowship programs, including application deadlines. If you are an individual artist, apply to the statewide fellowship program through the Regional AO listed below that serves your county. Please note: Individual artists must live in the region they are applying to and may submit an application to only one region.

• Bay Area (Kala Art Institute) - Counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma

• Central Valley & Sierra (Kern Dance Alliance) - Counties: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne

• Inland Empire & South Coast (ArtsOC) - Counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange

• Far South (Commission for Arts and Culture / Cultural Affairs) - Counties: Imperial, San Diego

• Central Coast (Arts Council Santa Cruz County) - Counties: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura

• Capital (Teatro Nagual) - Counties: Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, El Dorado, Alpine

• Upstate (Nevada County Arts Council (NCArts)) - Counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Mendocino, Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Lake, Glenn, Sierra, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Placer

• South (Los Angeles Performance Practice) - County: Los Angeles

Region 5: Central Coast Administered by Arts Council Santa Cruz County

The City of San Diego invites applications from eligible individual artists for the Individual Artist Fellowship (IAF), which provides unrestricted awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. The California Arts Council (CAC) has selected the City as an Administering Organization for this statewide initiative, supporting a two-year fellowship program for individual artists and culture bearers across all disciplines.

The Individual Artist Fellowship for Region 8 serves San Diego and Imperial Counties, an area spanning 9,008 square miles and home to 3.48 million residents. The program strengthens the regional arts workforce by investing directly in artists whose work contributes to the cultural vitality of their communities.

Aastha Horizons Grant

The Aastha Horizons Grant seeks to support organizations dedicated to enhancing Lancaster County. Applications from initiatives addressing a wide range of topics, including but not limited to education, healthcare, social services, environmental conservation, arts and culture, community development, and youth empowerment are welcome. This grant will provide resources for projects that demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact in our community, whether by addressing immediate needs or fostering long-term sustainability. 

About

The New Mexico Arts Commission is the advisory body for New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. The Commission has 15 members appointed by the governor. Commissioners serve three-year terms.

Arts & The Military Mini Grant Program

The Arts and the Military program of New Mexico Arts coordinates and promotes New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ (NMDCA) participation in the national Blue Star Museums program offering free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve. The Blue Star Museums program is a way for the Department of Cultural Affairs to thank our military families for their service and share with them New Mexico’s cultural treasures.   

Mini Grants Opportunities

The $2,500 Mini Grants program assists organizations creating and expanding arts programming for military connected participants via a streamlined granting process. Mini Grants can also be used to build organizational capacity towards the goal of creating and expanding opportunities for veterans and active-duty service members to engage in the arts. Non-Arts organizations and organizations receiving New Mexico Arts funding in other grant programs can also apply for this New Mexico Arts and the Military Grant opportunity.

About

Each year, the Wyoming Arts Council (WAC) awards nearly 150 grants and fellowships, serving every county and reaching more than one million people across the state. This includes approximately 1.1 million adults, 200,000 youth, and 10,000 artists who benefit from arts funding in their communities. From local murals and school arts programs to community theater productions, WAC-supported projects help make Wyoming a vibrant place to live, work, and create.

The Arts Council is funded by a combination of State of Wyoming General Funds, National Endowment for the Arts federal funds, endowments, private donations, and revenue generated through sponsorships and registration for events like the annual Governor’s Arts Awards.

Creative Aging Project Grant

The Creative Aging Project Grant funds arts programs for Wyoming adults 55+, promoting connection, learning, and expression through sequential, skills-based creative instruction.

The Creative Aging Project Grant is open to non-profit organizations and to individual teaching artists to develop Creative Aging programming in Wyoming communities. This is a competitive grant. Grants will be awarded to organizations and/or individual teaching artists in order to develop and implement between one and four separate 8-week creative aging programs. Grants will be awarded in increments of $2,500 for each 8 week creative aging program ($2,500 for one program, $5,000 for two programs, $7,500 for three programs, $10,000 for four programs).

For individual teaching artists this can be a useful professional development opportunity. Professional development in the arts is the purposeful process of continuous learning, growth and refinement of skills and knowledge. It includes the pursuit of opportunities that strengthen one’s craft and career. It allows artists and arts professionals to enhance their own portfolio or practice and/or develop career readiness skills.

The Creative Aging Project Grant distributes financial support based on scores assigned by a panel of experts and arts professionals.

No cash match is required, and In-kind contributions will be reported on the final report.

Proposed projects should accomplish the following:

• Primarily serve older adults (55+). 
• Programs that are working with a residential aging community (residential nursing home, etc) should be open and advertised to the general public for attendance. 
• Programs should utilize the Lifetime Arts Model of Creative Aging programming of an 8 week long sequential skills-building program followed by a public culminating event. Similar, alternative models that prioritize social engagement and sequential learning will also be considered.

About

Mission

The Montana Arts Council is the agency of state government established to develop the creative potential of all Montanans, advance education, spur economic vibrancy and revitalize communities through involvement in the arts.

Vision

Montana will be known far and wide as "The Land of Creativity," where the arts are essential to the creativity, imagination and entrepreneurship that make Big Sky Country the very best place on earth to live, learn, work and play.

Statewide Service Organization (SSO) Grants

Statewide Arts Service Organizations (SSO) provide operating support.

A Statewide Arts Service Organization (SSO) is defined as an organization with a statewide membership and statewide board of directors. Its primary function is to provide member organizations and artists with programs and services more efficiently and cost-effectively than if those members had to acquire them individually.

The program recognizes strong operations, stable management, ongoing engagement, and high-quality services.

Successful applicants will expand opportunities for all Montanans to create, participate in, and appreciate Montana’s wide range of cultural resources. Applicants may be prioritized to equalize awards across geographic area and disciplines.

The Public Value Partnerships (PVP) Program, initiated by the Montana Arts Council, aims to enhance the artistic and educational operations of Montana's non-profit arts organizations. By fostering community engagement and providing operating support, the program encourages strong management practices and high-quality programming. It emphasizes the importance of building relationships with various stakeholders to ensure that the arts continue to thrive in Montana, promoting creativity and vitality across the state.

In 1975, the Montana Legislature set aside a percentage of the Coal Tax to restore murals in the Capitol and support other cultural and aesthetic projects. Applications must be for cultural and aesthetic projects including, but not limited to: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts, Media Arts, History, Archaeology, Folklore, Archives, Collections, Research, Historic Preservation and Construction and Renovation of Cultural Facilities. 

The NEA Arts and Artifacts International Indemnity Program, administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, provides financial protection for museums exhibiting significant art and artifacts. Launched in 1975, it minimizes insurance costs for international exhibitions. The program allows U.S. entities to receive indemnity for works of art while on display in the U.S. Applications are assessed by expert panels, ensuring a thorough review process before approvals or conditional notices are issued.

The NEA Arts and Artifacts International Indemnity Program, established in 1975, supports the exhibition of significant art and artifacts by minimizing insurance costs for international exhibitions. Administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, it covers U.S. owned art during exhibitions in the country. The program evaluates applications through advisory panels and the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities, ensuring that vital cultural works are accessible while providing necessary financial protections.

The NEA Arts and Artifacts Domestic Indemnity Program, administered by the National Endowment for the Arts, ensures that U.S. museums can exhibit significant art and artifacts without the burden of high insurance costs. Established in 1975, it provides indemnity against loss or damage, promoting access to cultural heritage. The program evaluates applications through expert advisory panels and typically meets three to six months after deadlines to decide on indemnity requests, thereby supporting the arts and enriching public engagement.