Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) Grants

Designated County Partners (DCPs) must meet the following standards  to maintain their designated status:

• Provide support for high-quality programming in the performing, visual, literary, and traditional arts. Programming choices are responsive to community needs and demonstrate improvement and innovation. Programming choices also engage constituents across geographic, cultural, social, and economic strata.
• Foster collaborative relationships with and provide services and support to county arts organizations and other arts resources.
• Support individual artists in the county through services and opportunities, and compensate artists appropriately for their work. Promote and participate in the Artist Support Grant program.
• Conduct or support arts-in-education programs led by qualified artists for pre-K–12 students. A DCP must show commitment to comprehensive arts education opportunities for the county’s youth.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEAI) in programming, board representation, governance, and administrative practices.
• Demonstrate stability and fiscal responsibility through effective board and staff leadership, sound administrative practices, and strategic planning. If staffed, arts councils must provide appropriate salaries and benefits.
• Demonstrate leadership in the arts by actively participating in tourism, economic development, and community development efforts in the county that the DCP represents. 
• Maintain a history of managing the Grassroots grant responsibly and according to requirements, including meeting the deadlines for applications, fulfilling the subgranting and multicultural requirements, and completing final reports.   

Scope and allowable expenses

DCPs may use up to 50 percent of their grant funds for general operating support. They must use the remaining 50 percent in the following ways:

• DCPs with county populations above 50,000 must subgrant at least 50 percent of their allocations to other organizations.
• DCPs with county populations below 50,000 must use 50 percent of their funds for self-conducted arts programs or for subgrants to other organizations.

DCP full application questions

Submit your application through the GO Smart grant portal. The following questions and documents will be required for the application.

These questions should be answered as they relate to the entire scope of the organization, not just its role as a DCP. Organizations will be asked to provide operating income and expense information for the last, current, and upcoming fiscal years, as well as an itemization of local government support for the last fiscal year.

Profile questions

In addition to contact information, you will be asked to submit your organization’s mission statement, an organizational history, and both an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

Grassroots allocation

1. 2025-26 tentative Grassroots allocation amount: Please consult the Grassroots Arts Program – Base County Allotments for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Table to determine your allocation amount.
2. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will spend for operating support?
3. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will spend on arts programming? 
4. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will subgrant to other organizations to conduct arts programs?

Note: The sum of lines 2, 3, and 4 must equal the amount entered in line 1.

County overview

5. Briefly describe the county you serve, including population and demographics. Describe any notable economic, social, and cultural changes in your county over the past three years. Describe how your organization contributes to the local and state economy. Include employment, visitor statistics, and other forms of economic impact you track.

Programs and services

6. Describe the key artistic programs and activities your arts council has planned for 2025-26. Indicate whether these programs occur annually and how they serve the geographic diversity of your county. Describe how your program choices demonstrate improvement or innovation. If chosen, list and describe the artists selected for these programs, and indicate which programs will utilize GAP funding.
7. Describe the services you provide to arts organizations in your county and how you partner with them.
8. Describe the services you provide to individual artists in your county and your participation in the Artist Support Grant program.
9. Describe the overall process your organization uses to subgrant Grassroots funds to other groups in your county. Include information on how you publicize the availability of funds; the timeline of your process; the assistance you offer to applicants; your application review system; and the composition of your subgrant panel.
10. Describe the arts-in-education programs you conduct and/or fund that benefit children and youth in your community.
11. Describe how your organization engages populations in your county who have limited opportunities to experience arts programs because of factors such as educational background, geography, ethnic or cultural diversity, or economic constraints. Include outreach or artistic programs you conduct and fund for the aforementioned communities.

 Organizational strength

12. State the names, titles, and responsibilities of key staff members. Provide salary ranges and benefits for staff positions. 
13. Describe your board of directors and their key responsibilities, including committee participation requirements and the system for evaluating organizational leadership. Describe your organization’s board rotation policy and how new members are recruited and trained. 
14. Describe your organization’s planning process and timetable for updating strategic plans. Briefly summarize the key goals and objectives of your current strategic plan.
15. Briefly describe the facilities in which your organization conducts its primary operations. Indicate whether you own or lease space or occupy donated space.
16. Describe your organization's financial condition. Include information about any debt, deficits, endowments, surpluses, or cash reserves. Describe how your organization exercises effective fiscal control and accountability.
17. Describe your organization’s fundraising strategies. Include information on your annual fund campaign and fundraising events. Specify the percentage of annual revenue these activities contribute to your operating budget. 
18. Describe your organization's marketing strategies. Include information on how you use your website and social media for promotion. Explain how you evaluate the success of your efforts.

Uploads

19. Upload a list of current board members, with contact information and board terms. 
20. Upload a financial statement or audit for your most recently completed fiscal year (FY23-24).
21. Upload a list of your FY23-24 subgrants. Include the organization's name, the amount of the subgrant, and a brief project description that names the artists involved.
22. Upload a list of your FY23-24 subgrantees and/or programs that document how you met the multicultural requirement. Include the multicultural artist or organization, the amount paid, and race. 

Support materials

Applicants have the option to submit additional support materials to strengthen their grant proposal and provide evidence that builds a strong case for the application. Here are a few examples of support materials to consider:

• Current strategic plan
• Bios and resumés of key staff and partners for a new project
• Sample brochures or marketing materials of new initiatives
• Reviews or credentials of artists

Works samples

Work samples for the Grassroots application should convey the artistic quality of two or three artists that will be part of your programs planned for this grant period. For visual artists, submit 3-5 images. These images may be of a visual artist that will be featured in your gallery, an upcoming artist in residency program or other visual arts program. Do NOT send pictures of past events, festivals, fundraisers or your facility. For audio submit up to 5 digital files. For video samples of performing artists, you may submit a short video clip.

Scope and allowable expenses

DCPs may use up to 50 percent of their grant funds for general operating support. They must use the remaining 50 percent in the following ways:

• DCPs with county populations above 50,000 must subgrant at least 50 percent of their allocations to other organizations.
• DCPs with county populations below 50,000 must use 50 percent of their funds for self-conducted arts programs or for subgrants to other organizations.

DCP update application questions

Submit your application through the GO Smart grant portal. The following questions and documents will be required for the application.

These questions should be answered as they relate to the entire scope of the organization, not just its role as a DCP. Organizations will be asked to provide operating income and expense information for the last, current, and upcoming fiscal years, as well as an itemization of local government support for the last fiscal year.

Profile questions

In addition to contact information, you will be asked to submit your organization’s mission statement, an organizational history, and both an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

Grassroots allocation

1. 2025-26 tentative Grassroots allocation amount: Please consult the Grassroots Arts Program – Base County Allotments for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Table to determine your allocation amount.
2. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will spend for operating support?
3. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will spend on arts programming?
4. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will subgrant to other organizations to conduct arts programs?

Note: The sum of lines 2, 3, and 4 must equal the amount entered in line 1.

Application narrative

5. Does your organization have an accumulated deficit totaling 5 percent or more of your last year’s operating budget, or are you showing a shortfall for the last, current, or upcoming year?
6. Briefly describe how the organization is addressing the accumulated deficit or current or projected shortfalls.
7. Describe any significant changes in your organization (i.e., changes in staff, facilities, financial condition, or organizational structure) that have occurred since your last application.
8. Provide a description of the programs you will conduct with your 2025-26 Grassroots funds. Include information about the artistic content of each program (e.g., the artists involved, how and why they were chosen, and the rate of payment for their services).

Uploads

9. Upload a financial statement or audit for your most recently completed fiscal year (FY23-24).
10. Upload a roster of current board members, with contact information and board terms.

Support materials

Applicants have the option to submit additional support materials to strengthen their grant proposal and provide evidence that builds a strong case for the application. Here are a few examples of support materials to consider:

• Current strategic plan
• Bios and resumés of key staff and partners for a new project
• Sample brochures or marketing materials of new initiatives
• Reviews or credentials of artists

Scope and allowable expenses

PCPs may use up to 20 percent of their grant funds for general operating support.
They may use the remaining 80 percent in the following ways:

• PCPs with county populations above 50,000 are required to subgrant at least 50 percent of their allocations to other organizations. They may use the remaining funds to support their own arts programs.
• PCPs with county populations below 50,000 are required to use 80 percent of their funds for self-conducted arts programs or for subgrants to other organizations.

PCP application questions

PCPs must submit a Provisional County Partner Application annually.

Submit your application through the GO Smart grant portal. The following questions and documents will be required for the application.

These questions should be answered as they relate to the entire scope of the organization, not just its role as a PCP. Organizations will be asked to provide operating income and expense information for the last, current, and upcoming fiscal years, as well as an itemization of local government support for the last fiscal year.

Profile questions

In addition to contact information, you will be asked to submit your organization’s mission statement, an organizational history, and both an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

Grassroots allocation

1. 2025-26 tentative Grassroots allocation amount: Please consult the Grassroots Arts Program – Base County Allotments for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Table to determine your allocation amount. 
2. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will spend for operating support? PCPs are allowed to use up to 20 percent of the Grassroots allocation for operating support.
3. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will spend on arts programming? 
4. What is the projected amount of your GAP allocation that you will subgrant to other organizations? 

Note: The sum of lines 2, 3, and 4 must equal the amount entered in line 1.

Application narrative

5. Describe how your organization will use your Grassroots allocation for operating support. 
6. Provide a description of the programs you will conduct with your 2025-26 Grassroots funds. Include information about the artistic content of each program (e.g., the artists involved, how and why you chose them, and the rate of payment for their services).
7. Provide a description of the participants and intended audiences for each program. Estimate the number and demographics of the participants for each activity.
8. Describe how your organization engages populations in your county who have limited opportunities to experience arts programs because of factors such as educational background, geography, ethnic or cultural diversity, or economic constraints. 
9. Describe the process your organization uses to subgrant Grassroots money to other groups in your county. Explain how you publicize the availability of funds; the timeline of your process; the assistance you offer to applicants; your application review system; and the composition of your subgrant panel.

Uploads

10. Upload a financial statement or audit for your most recently completed fiscal year (FY23-24).
11. Upload a roster of current board members, with contact information and board terms.