Cultural Sustainability: Community Roots - Mid Atlantic Arts
Arts and culture organizations serving BIPOC communities should apply for unrestricted operational funding to support their practices and community work.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- annual cycle, check dates
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $46,000
- Location
- Mid Atlantic Arts region: DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, PR, USVI, VA, WV
- Exhibition window
- May 1, 2025 → Jun 30, 2026
About
Overview
Cultural Sustainability: Community Roots, offered by Mid Atlantic Arts in partnership with The Wallace Foundation, provides unrestricted operational funding to arts organizations founded by, with, and for communities of color. The program supports organizations with annual operating expenses under $500,000 serving BIPOC communities across the Mid Atlantic region and helps them sustain and expand their practices while fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
Key Dates
- Guidelines available: Thursday, October 24, 2024
- Informational Webinar: Thursday, October 31, 2024, 3:00pm–4:00pm ET
- Application Opens: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
- Drop-In Sessions (English): Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 3:00pm–5:00pm ET
- Drop-In Sessions (Spanish): Thursday, November 14, 2024, 3:00pm–5:00pm ET
- Application Closes: Friday, January 10, 2025, 12:00pm EST
- Program Period: May 2025–June 2026
Eligibility
Your organization must have an operating budget under $500,000 (excluding emergency funding), at least three years of arts and cultural programming (not necessarily consecutive), and a mission prioritizing service to communities of color. Leadership must be closely connected to communities served, and the organization must demonstrate commitment to addressing systemic inequities. Your organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, for-profit entity (LLC, S-corp), or artist collective with tax ID or fiscal sponsor. You cannot have received ArtsHERE funding from Mid Atlantic Arts.
Geographic Focus
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- US Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Award
- Up to 10 organizations with operating expenses $0–$249,999 will receive general operating grants up to $46,000 (one per state/territory)
- Up to 10 organizations with operating expenses $250,000–$499,999 will receive general operating grants up to $66,000 (one per state/territory)
Required Application Materials
- Proof of community engagement (letter of recommendation, partnership letter, program description, or letter of support from artist or community leader)
- Evidence of operational budget for last three years or evidence of expenses for last three years
- Work samples (optional but highly encouraged)
How to Apply
Register and apply through the SmartSimple grants portal at 9am ET on November 12, 2024. Create a new login (or use existing account), select your organization type, and complete your application. Save your progress with 'Save Draft' but submit before the deadline.
Support & Questions
- Sarah Branch, Program Director, Creativity in Community: [email protected]
- Sarah Theune, Program Associate, Performing Arts and Creativity in Community: [email protected]
- Award
- General operating grants up to $46,000 for organizations with budgets $0-$249,999; up to $66,000 for organizations with budgets $250,000-$499,999
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- This program supports arts organizations founded by, with, and for communities of color, providing operational funding to help them sustain and expand their practices while advancing equity and well-being in the arts ecosystem.
- Eligibility
- Arts and culture organizations serving BIPOC communities with operating budgets under $500,000, at least three years of programming, mission prioritizing communities of color, and leadership connected to those communities; must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit, for-profit entity, or artist collective; cannot have previously received ArtsHERE funding.
- Audience
- Arts and culture organizations founded by, with, and for communities of color with annual operating expenses under $500,000 and at least three years of programming
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.