Best Grants for the Arts in Nevada

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Grants & Fellowships

Catalyst Grant

Early-stage funding for bold ideas that deserve a chance to move forward. Open to anyone, from any background, with an idea worth exploring.

Details

Giving Ideas a First Chance

$10,000 in annual funding helps promising ideas take their next step.

The Catalyst Grant supports early-stage ideas that demonstrate originality and the potential for meaningful impact.

Funding may support one project or be shared among several, depending on the applications received and where funding can make the greatest difference.

Ideas can come from any discipline or background. They may grow from lived experience, independent inquiry, academic research, creative work, or connections between fields.

Funded projects should broadly align with the Mensa Foundation’s mission to unleash intelligence for the benefit of humanity.

The James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation offers Smaller Grants of $10,000 or less to support initiatives in Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement, Education, Health, and Human Services. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and comply with eligibility criteria, including a one-year waiting period for reapplications. The foundation aims to have a significant impact on communities, especially in West Texas, while avoiding funding for specific exclusions such as endowments and fundraising events.

The Joan M. Wismer Foundation, established in 2001, honors the legacy of Joan Marilynn Wismer, who was dedicated to charitable work and community service. The foundation focuses on improving lives through education, youth development, safety, humanitarian services, and medical research. It primarily supports IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and churches, while emphasizing the importance of sustainable funding and effective financial management in its grant-making process.

The Art Bridges Cohort Program aims to enhance access to American art by fostering multi-year partnerships among museums across the U.S. This initiative creates sustainable art-sharing ecosystems that promote collaboration and community engagement. The program supports museums through funding for various phases, including research, small art shares, and large art shares, ensuring resources for travel, exhibition design, and educational opportunities. Eligibility includes a strong commitment to community engagement and existing art collections.

The Yéigo Action Grant, provided by the First Peoples Fund, offers financial support ranging from $100 to $2,500 for Native artists and culture bearers facing hardships that affect their creative practices. This grant aims to assist artists with specific professional opportunities, such as workshops or emergencies. By honoring the spirit of encouragement embodied in the Diné word 'yéigo', the grant helps ensure that artists can continue their vital work within their communities.

The Artist in Business Leadership (ABL) Fellowship supports Native artists in building sustainable art-centered businesses. This yearlong program provides $10,000 in funding along with professional development and networking opportunities. Eligible applicants must be 18 years or older, reside in the U.S., and be enrolled in or have lineage from a federally recognized tribe. The fellowship aims to empower artists to thrive within their communities while honoring their cultural heritage.

The United States Adult Cystic Fibrosis Association (USACFA) offers the Scholarship for the Arts, providing $5,000 to two students pursuing degrees in creative fields. Open to applicants from associate to doctoral levels, candidates must demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0 and submit proof of enrollment for the academic year. This scholarship honors Helen, a passionate artist and dedicated mother, whose life exemplified resilience and creativity, inspiring future generations in the arts.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials.

IBMA  Foundation Project Grants

The IBMA Foundation awards project grants each year, usually in amounts between $1,000 and $2,500. The deadline to apply is December 2. Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission in one of the following areas

• Arts & culture
• Education
• Literary or academic programs
• History preservation

The Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation, established in 1951 in Oklahoma, aims to support charitable organizations across the U.S., with a focus on education and local initiatives. Grants are awarded to qualified 501(C)(3) organizations, prioritizing projects that align with the foundation's mission in areas such as education, health, arts, and literacy. Interested applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry before applying for funding, ensuring alignment with the foundation's priorities.

The ENF Community Investments Program offers Gratitude Grants between $3,000 and $5,000 to Elks Lodges that have met the GER’s per-member-giving goal. These grants empower Lodges to enhance community service and foster local engagement, supporting initiatives that promote health, education, and welfare. The program exemplifies the Elks' commitment to charity and community improvement, showcasing their dedication to building stronger neighborhoods and helping those in need.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) offers Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) to support diverse arts initiatives that enhance public engagement and education. These grants aim to improve community well-being through the arts and are open to all organizations, regardless of size or location. Applicants are encouraged to align their projects with NEA funding priorities, fostering creativity across various disciplines such as music, theater, and visual arts.

The Willson Center Research Seminar Program at the University of Georgia provides $2,000 for faculty-led interdisciplinary discussion groups on specific research topics. This grant is aimed at tenured or tenure-track faculty and is intended to facilitate the visit of external scholars to the campus. Applications are open for the upcoming academic year, focusing on fostering collaborative research initiatives among faculty.

The Amy Clampitt Poet Residency Program, established by The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, offers a six-month residency for poets at Amy Clampitt's former home in Lenox, Massachusetts. This program aims to foster the study and promotion of poetry, providing a peaceful retreat for a poet to focus on their craft. Selected poets receive a monthly stipend of $4,000 and are encouraged to make their creative work a priority during their stay.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Mary E. Berger Scholarship Fund

The Mary E. Berger Scholarship was established with a gift from Mary E. Berger and a future gift by the estate of Mary E. Berger to assist high school students who wish to attend college or university or professional school to pursue studies in art, music, history, political science, English, journalism and related liberal arts subject.

Students in Nevada and across the U.S. pursuing arts-focused study who were diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before age 21 can receive the Rosalie Out of the Ordinary Scholarship, a US $1,000 award. Grants from Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation help eligible high school seniors and older attend two-year, four-year, graduate, or technical schools in the arts.

Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations. 

Each year, Cumberland Community Foundation announces more than $1,000,000 in college scholarships to students from southeastern North Carolina.

Beth Bryan Creative Arts Fund Scholarship

Graduating senior from any high school in Cumberland County.

Steven Thayer Hopi Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Steven Thayer to provide scholarship funding for young Hopi artists to develop their talents and artistic skill.

Our Mission

Empower donors to fulfill their passions and dreams by establishing charitable vehicles designed to create a positive and enduring impact on Jewish Buffalo, Western New York and the World.

Golden Goldman Fund

The Golden Goldman Philanthropic Fund’s mission is to maximize local impact in support of: Women’s issues including reproduction and choice; Arts and Culture; Literacy; Reducing Income Inequality; and Judaism.

Funding will be awarded based on your proposal's potential impact. We will be looking at the applying organizations' fiscal viability and their ability to reach out to underserved individuals as part of our evaluation process. We do not usually provide funding for ongoing, existing programs.

The Standard's Corporate Giving Program emphasizes community support and employee engagement, reflecting its foundational mission to enhance financial well-being. Established in 1906, the program focuses on Healthy Communities, Disability and Empowerment, Cultural Development, and Education. With a funding range of $500 to $25,000, it aims to make a substantial impact in the lives of individuals and families facing challenges. The Standard Charitable Foundation, launched in 2006, further extends this commitment by supporting organizations that align with its philanthropic goals.

The A. O. Smith Foundation, established in 1955, provides grants to support charitable, educational, and human services organizations primarily in communities where A. O. Smith Corporation operates. With a mission focused on enhancing community well-being, the Foundation promotes education, arts, culture, and health initiatives. It encourages employees to engage in volunteerism, fostering a culture of community involvement. Notably, the Foundation does not fund politically active organizations or those primarily aiming to influence legislation.

The Ted & Shannon Skokos Foundation Grant, established in 2008, supports nonprofit organizations in arts, education, humanity, and faith. It prioritizes visionary leadership, community impact, sustainability, organizational strength, and collaboration. The foundation seeks to fund eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits that align with its mission and positively influence communities, particularly in Dallas, Texas, and Arkansas, where the founders have personal connections.

The DEW Foundation Grant supports tax-exempt charitable organizations globally, aiming to promote the common good through financial contributions and personal involvement. The foundation prioritizes charities where family members are actively involved and focuses on ministries, health, education, and community service. While it may fund its own projects, it typically does not exceed 10% of an organization's operating budget and avoids supporting politically affiliated causes or normal church operations. Innovative and effective organizations are especially welcome.

The BNSF Railway Foundation provides grants to enhance community quality of life across 28 states, focusing on educational, cultural, and social service initiatives. With over $150 million contributed since 2000, the foundation emphasizes projects with strong local engagement and BNSF employee involvement. Eligible organizations include public charities, local governments, and tribal governments, while ineligible entities encompass religious organizations and those with discriminatory practices. Priority is given to environmental, health, and cultural projects.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

The United Company Foundation, established in 1986, provides grants to support charitable organizations in Bristol, VA, Bristol, TN, and Southwest Virginia. This private non-profit focuses on areas such as food, shelter, education, the arts, health, and youth services, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and innovative approaches. By prioritizing accountability and measurable outcomes, the Foundation aims to foster long-term improvements in the community it serves.

The Teichert Foundation Grant supports organizations in California that enhance community welfare through civic improvement, culture, education, and environmental sustainability. Established by Teichert Construction, the foundation aims to foster a healthier, educated, and more equitable society. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and public agencies in specified counties. The foundation prioritizes projects that address community needs and demonstrate fiscal responsibility, ultimately striving to create lasting impact and better health for all.

The Holthouse Foundation for Kids supports organizations that empower at-risk youth through character education, life skills, and entrepreneurship. They provide grants to non-profit entities recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, focusing on community enrichment in Houston and beyond. While inquiry letters are accepted year-round, they do not guarantee funding, and applicants must understand that proposals are not a promise of financial support.