Best Grants for the Arts in New York

Arts and culture nonprofits in New York City and northern New Jersey can seek funding for operating support and other projects in traditional arts and cultural institutions. Grants from the Achelis and Bodman Foundation also cover related areas like education, youth and families, health, employment, and public policy within these communities.

New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits and accredited educational institutions working in arts and culture can access funding through the Amcor Cares Foundation for community support projects. Grants over More than US $1,000 may also cover hunger and homelessness, disaster relief, STEM education, life skills, health and wellness, and related community programs in eligible New York communities.

The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation offers general grants aimed at promoting arts, education, and environmental initiatives. Currently, they are not accepting applications for 2025 but will reopen in January 2026. Eligible organizations must be IRS-registered 501(c)(3) entities serving specific regions, with a focus on environmental, medical, and veterans initiatives. The foundation prioritizes projects that align with its mission and provides opportunities for quality arts programming.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations developing arts and culture programs in New York can seek project or program support, primarily for performing arts, from the Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation. Grants support specific projects rather than general operations, with most funded organizations based in the U.S., and some programs extending impact internationally.

New York arts and humanities nonprofits, higher education institutions, museums, research libraries, and established performing arts organizations may be eligible for funding supporting scholarship, performances, and cultural heritage projects. The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation backs music, dance, theatre, history, literature, philosophy, and related initiatives, including technology that improves access to humanities and performing arts resources.

New York 501(c)(3) organizations integrating visual or performing arts into education can access funding through the Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust to enhance arts-based learning. Grants up to US $25,000 support programs that revitalize curricula, motivate students, empower educators, and address educational inequities through evidence-based arts instruction and strong community partnerships.

Pincus Family Foundation

PFF is driven by the values that our founders David and Gerry Pincus lived by: “to get involved, not just think about your own life, you are supposed to do things for other people.” Today, the second and third generation of Pincus Family members have added their ethos, while keeping the founders’ legacy alive.

Pincus Family Foundation Grant

Mission Alignment: We support our non-profit partners to develop and enhance programs that improve the lives of children, their families, and their communities.

PFF Funds Projects, Programs, & General Operating Support in Four Priority Areas

Creative & Performing Arts

The Pincus Family Foundation’s Creative and Performing Arts portfolio supports programs where young people use art as a tool to address the structural inequities they face. Five strategic priorities:

• Arts for Social Change Focus – Integrating artistic practice with community organizing, policy advocacy, and/or systemic change efforts
• Hyperlocal Community Integration – Deep community embedment with extensive local partnerships
• Teaching Artist Investment – Commitment to the professional development and well-being of teaching artists
• Cultural Responsiveness – Programming that incorporates community cultural wealth with community input
• Environmental Justice Integration – Authentic integration of environmental themes from community-identified priorities

Target Constituency: Organizations serving preK-12 youth from marginalized communities with arts for social change programming that connects them to the power of art to question and transform systems.

Education

High school readiness for many low-income students, largely is a result of poor preparation in middle school. PFF is funding programs/projects that support middle school engagement and focus on achievement filling a funding gap. 

Target Constituency: We support non-profit organizations serving middle school students who face gaps in comprehensive high school readiness. These organizations implement innovative programming that creates challenging yet nurturing environments—preparing students for achievement while inspiring them to become engaged, confident citizens ready to contribute to their communities.

Health & Wellness

Goal: Advance children’s health and well-being by supporting nonprofits that strengthen social conditions, empower youth, and build healthier environments in marginalized communities.

Target Constituency: Nonprofits whose work strengthens social determinants of health for children in marginalized communities.

Play & Recreation

Goal: Advance children’s social-emotional development and physical well-being by supporting nonprofits that create inclusive play-based programming, competitive sports opportunities, and outdoor recreational experiences in under-resourced communities.

Target Constituency: Non-profits whose work promotes access to quality recreational programming for children ages 6-18 in under-resourced communities.

For all grants, the organization’s mission and scope must align with the Foundation’s mission. For the latter, these grants can be either unrestricted or restricted to a particular program or project. The type of grant and what it is used for will dictate the goals and objectives to be met.

Grants from Sills Family Foundation help New York arts and culture nonprofits provide arts education and creative opportunities for underserved communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in metro New York City can receive US $10,000 - US $25,000, often for general operating support, especially when programs also address poverty, criminal justice impacts, or immigrant and refugee needs.

Food insecurity impacts every town in America — rural, urban, and all the communities on every road in between. It affects all age groups — from children through seniors — including about one-third of college students. It happens for different reasons — a lost job, a natural disaster, a pandemic, and more.

Ann B. Zekauskas saw this food insecurity first-hand while volunteering in New York City soup kitchens, often on Thanksgiving. She knew that people go hungry every day — and that many food-insecure people are prone to obesity. Limited options often lead to food choices that are higher in calories, but lower in nutrition.

Whether it’s to aid a family that has fallen on hard times or to assist a community or a country during a crisis, we support food banks, neighborhood kitchens, and other hunger relief organizations to provide the next healthy meal to those in need.

The Ann B. Zekauskas Family Foundation is committed to supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that align with our mission and values. We welcome grant requests from nonprofit organizations seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities in the areas of nutritional education, food access, or the advancement of cuilnary arts careers. 

New York 501(c)(3) public charities working in arts and culture can apply for funding to support creative community programs. Investors Foundation provides New York nonprofits with grants for initiatives in the arts, education, health and human services, youth programs, and affordable housing, primarily serving New York City and Long Island communities once every 12 months.

Focused on capacity building, Booth Ferris Foundation invites New York 501(c)(3) public charities with $1M+ budgets to seek short-term support for strengthening infrastructure and long-term sustainability. Eligible NYC organizations include those advancing equity, community development, advocacy, or nonprofit sector support, which may include arts and culture nonprofits serving underserved communities.

The Peckham Family Foundation offers Basic Support Grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life in local communities in New York and New England. The foundation supports various programs focusing on education, arts, and civic engagement. Organizations seeking funding must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and demonstrate a commitment to community improvement. The Grants Committee, composed of local non-management members, evaluates applications to ensure alignment with the foundation's mission and values.

Focused on arts and culture, Cowles Charitable Trust invites New York 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for funding up to US $10,000. Nonprofits in downstate New York working in the arts, education, social justice, health, or ethical journalism may request program or general operating support, ideally alongside other funding partners.

With a mission to address education, human services, and healthcare, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund provides New York 501(c)(3) organizations with program or operating support. Eligible nonprofits in Monroe, Yates, Steuben, or Ontario counties working on education, housing stability, food security, or healthcare may benefit, including those offering art education components.

New York City 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups providing human services like prevention, social change, and education programs can access funding through Lily Auchincloss Foundation. Support may cover general operations or specific programs that improve quality of life for residents, which can include community-based arts and cultural initiatives in the city’s five boroughs.

New York arts and culture nonprofits with budgets under $3,000,000 can access funding through David & Minnie Berk Foundation for projects and pilot programs. 501(c)(3) organizations, or those with fiscal sponsors, in the greater New York metro area may receive up to US $10,000 for arts, education, social services, and related community initiatives.

New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits running behavioral health or substance use disorder programs can seek funding to expand treatment, prevention, and early-intervention services. Focused on behavioral health, Elevance Health Foundation invites applications for scalable national or local initiatives that increase treatment access, reduce risks and harms, and lessen loneliness among people with mental health or substance use challenges.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities in New York seeking capital support for arts, culture, or humanities facilities and equipment can apply for Hyde and Watson Foundation grants of US $5,000 - US $20,000. With a mission to fund one-time capital needs, the foundation also supports renovations and furnishings for eligible organizations in New York City and nearby New Jersey counties.

New York 501(c)(3) organizations running arts education, cultural programs, or related youth initiatives can seek US $5,000 - US $20,000 from the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust. Focused on education with additional support for arts and culture, community initiatives, and youth programs, this national funder prioritizes new or enhanced programs and short-term project support.

New York 501(c)(3) nonprofits running arts and culture programs, including art education and creative initiatives for underserved communities, can apply for Venable Foundation grants; awards are approximately US $10,000 for projects or general operations. Organizations must be based in or serving New York City’s five boroughs and advancing opportunities for economically disadvantaged people.

New York 501(c)(3) organizations planning environmental, educational, arts, or cultural projects can seek funding to improve quality of life for humans and animals. The Robert F. Schumann Foundation prioritizes environmental sustainability, land and habitat conservation, and ornithology, with special consideration for projects in the Northeast and East Coast that might not proceed without its support.

New York City and Northeastern New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits piloting or expanding youth, education, social welfare, or health programs can access funding through Frances & Edwin Cummings Memorial. Grants support new program development, staffing, capacity building, and consulting, which may benefit organizations whose arts-related work also advances youth development or community services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with local youth education, storytelling, or community engagement programs can seek funding to expand arts and culture initiatives in New York and other eligible markets. With a mission to strengthen diverse communities, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation provides support to nonprofits using STEM/STEAM, media, or volunteer-driven programs to create positive local impact.

Focused on capital projects in education and health, the Gladys Brooks Foundation invites New York 501(c)(3) libraries, schools, hospitals, and clinics to apply for US $50,000 - US $150,000. Funding supports endowments, buildings, additions, and capital equipment, which may benefit arts-related facilities and programs housed within these institutions.

Focused on arts and culture, Harry Sudakoff Foundation invites New York 501(c)(3) organizations to request US $5,000 - US $40,000 for programmatic projects. Nonprofits working in arts, community services, education, environment, science, or human services may be eligible, with preference given to organizations in Sarasota County, Florida.

New York City 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups working in arts and culture, education, or human services can apply for Ford Foundation’s Good Neighbor Committee grants, awarding US $30,000 - US $100,000 in unrestricted support. Local nonprofits deeply connected to and accountable to NYC communities may benefit from this flexible funding.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running projects in education, science, the arts, or Jewish life can apply for the Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation’s program-specific funding. Awards support projects rather than general operating expenses, and New York arts organizations with eligible initiatives may benefit from this national opportunity.