Project Support Grants

Overview

Project Support grants are designed to help organizations that produce or present specific arts programs with a strong emphasis on engaging audiences and participants of all ages. Organizations may apply for funding to support exemplary programs across any artistic discipline.

Eligible Programs

• A single exhibition, performance, or two to three related events, such as a reading series
• An annually or regularly recurring event, such as a festival
• A community-based artist residency where the artist is hired to engage audiences
• A summer program where teaching artists lead youth in hands-on arts experiences
• Youth Arts category programs must take place exclusively outside of school hours

Key Dates

• Application opens: January 5, 2026
• Application deadline: March 2, 2026
• Grant period: July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027

Grant Amount

• Range: $5,000 to $15,000
• Organizations with prior-year expenses between $20,000 and $50,000 are eligible to apply for $5,000, the minimum grant award

Eligibility

• Must be a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization
• Must have a track record of producing high-quality programs for at least two years
• Must have prior-year organizational cash operating expenses of at least $20,000
• An applicant that doesn't meet the above criteria may apply with a fiscal agent that does
• Not eligible: Organizations that receive Sustaining Support for Arts Organizations grants or Statewide Service Organizations grants
• Not eligible: Grassroots Arts Partners that receive the Grassroots allocation for their county
• Not eligible: Public, private, and charter schools

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for artist fees, marketing, interpretive materials, contractual fees (including contractual personnel), and other related costs. With the exceptions of colleges, universities, and arts organizations that are a part of another entity, organizations may use up to half of the grant amount for administrative overhead expenses, including salaries directly related to the project.

Matching Requirements

Applicants from Tier 2 and Tier 3 counties may apply for up to two-thirds of the overall project expenses and must provide a cash match for the remaining third. For applicants from economically distressed Tier 1 counties, the matching requirement is waived.

Application Requirements

• Organization profile (EIN, UEI, mission statement, nonprofit documentation)
• User profile for each applicant
• Application narrative describing the artistic project, location(s), date(s), audience price range, selected artists and professionals, demographic attributes, audience/community description, engagement activities, matching funds plan, comparable past projects, and evaluation methods
• Support materials appropriate to the proposal