grant

New Applicants

First-time grant applicants can apply for a Project Support grant to fund an arts and culture nonprofit project.

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Deadline: annual cycle, check dates
Entry fee: Not listed - check the source
Award: $5,000
Location: Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Exhibition window: Jan 1, 2027 → Dec 31, 2027

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About

Overview

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture makes annual Project Support grants to nonprofits for arts and culture projects. First-time grant applicants can apply for funding up to $5,000. After that, you may be eligible for other grant types in future cycles.

Eligibility

To be eligible for CAC Project Support funding you must be a 501(c)(3) organization with a base in Cuyahoga County for at least one year, be incorporated for business in Ohio as verified by the Secretary of State, and have produced or presented arts and/or cultural program(s) in Cuyahoga County that are open to the public within the previous two years.

Key Dates

May – Grant Application Guidelines Released
June – Application Due (June 25, 2026 by 4:30 PM ET)
September – Panel Review
November – Grants Announced
January – Grant Year Begins (2027)

Grant Amounts

First-time applicants can apply for a Project Support grant up to $5,000. Grants may range from $1,000 to $7,500 generally. A 1:1 match is required, with 50% of matching funds able to be in-kind income.

Project Requirements

Proposed projects must be arts or cultural activities with a public programming component. A project is a specific, connected set of activities with a beginning and an end, explicit goals, and a predetermined cost that does not equal the organization's total annual budget. Projects must begin and end between January 1 – December 31, 2027.

Review Process

Each fall, CAC holds a panel where expert arts and cultural professionals evaluate all eligible applications through a written review. Results are posted on the website following the approval of recommended grants. The success of a CAC grant is based on three criteria: public benefit, artistic and cultural vibrancy, and organizational capacity.

How to Succeed

Most eligible CAC grant applicants are successful in securing funding, even in their first year. Understand the funding criteria, connect with the CAC team as your resource throughout the process, and attend upcoming workshops to learn more about the application requirements.

Contact

CAC's team is available to support you throughout the application process. Visit cacgrants.org to learn more about workshop opportunities and sign up for email updates.

Award: Project Support grant funding up to $5,000 for first-time applicants; grants may range from $1,000 to $7,500
Theme: This grant funds arts and culture nonprofit projects that bring creativity to life for local residents and promote public access to arts and cultural programming.
Eligibility: First-time grant applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations based in Cuyahoga County for at least one year, incorporated in Ohio, and have presented arts/cultural programs in Cuyahoga County open to the public within the previous two years.
Audience: Cuyahoga County-based nonprofit organizations

Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.