Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants FAQ

An operating grant is unrestricted funding used to support your organization’s operations and mission. There are no required project or deliverables tied to Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants.

Fiscal sponsorship is used by organizations/collectives who are providing services or programming but do not have, or do not want, a nonprofit status with the IRS. These organizations/collectives will then seek a partnership with an organization that has a 501c3 nonprofit status who can act as their fiscal sponsor to accept grants and manage the funds on their behalf.

Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants defines well-being as the social, economic, and cultural conditions that support a sense of belonging, acceptance, and curiosity within your organization and community.

Examples of your organization’s arts programming do not have to be from consecutive years or seasons. We know that most organization’s programming and activities were disrupted by the pandemic. As a result, it’s acceptable to talk about your work from recent years other than 2023 or 2022.

You can view a PDF of the application here.

Yes! You can click to download a Word Doc of the guidelines.

Yes, for the most part. If you received an ArtsHERE grant you are not eligible for Cultural Sustainability. If you received any other Arts Midwest grant, you are eligible to apply.

We anticipate funding approximately 18 grants, two from each of the states in our region.

We welcome self-defined leadership with this, but here’s some suggestions of what this may mean:

• The President & CEO self-identifies as a person of color
• Majority, or over 50%, of staff self-identify as people of color
• You engage with a community advisory group that is made up of artists of color who co-design programs/services in collaboration with your organization
• You contract majority artists of color to implement your organization’s programs/services.

Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to staff salaries, supplies and equipment, rent, utilities, project costs, professional development, endowments, and operating reserves.

Ineligible expenses include capital projects such as construction of a new building, renovations, and land purchases. Funds may not be used for the sole benefit of any private shareholders or individuals.

We encourage applicants to check with your state arts agency for other funding opportunities.

This is a one-time pilot program designed to measure interest and impact of general operating support to small organizations. We do not have plans for this program’s future cycles, but please tell us if this grant resonates with you and your community. We continually strive to provide relevant granting opportunities that the arts community within the Midwest wants to see.

No, there are no expectations for presenting to peers at any point during the program. Opportunities may arise if you’d like to knowledge-share, but it is not required.

Please email Program Manager Holly Doll at [email protected] with any remaining questions you may have.