Funding Opportunities

Updated November 29, 2023                 

NONPROFIT PERFORMING ARTS GRANT PROGRAM – ROLLING DEADLINE

The application portal for the Nonprofit Performing Arts Grant Program (NPPA) is now open. Californians for the Arts is available to assist with questions and with submitting your application. Questions? Contact Teri Ball at [email protected]. 

ARTS LOAN FUND – ROLLING DEADLINE This Emergency Loan will support arts and culture nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations in the eleven San Francisco Bay Area counties. Organizations can apply for these low-interest loans to cover basic expenses such as staff salaries, artist payments, rent and other operating costs during this challenging time. Loans can also be used to cover costs associated with re-opening and/or presenting programming remotely such as equipment, software, etc. Preference is given to small and mid-sized arts and culture organizations (with budgets under $2 million).

CALIFORNIA CIVIL LIBERTIES PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM GRANT – APPLY BY JANUARY 15 The California Civil Liberties Public Education Program (California Civil Liberties Program) funds projects that educate Californians about the Japanese American experience during World War II often in conjunction with parallel civil rights violations or civil liberties injustices. Past projects have included films; books and live readings; photo collections and exhibits; visual art exhibits; museum displays; arts performances of drama, dance, and music; oral histories; document and material preservation; educational guides and curriculum; website tools; essay and literature projects; public art and monuments; and music and recordings.   

HUMANITIES FOR ALL PROJECT GRANTS – APPLY BY JANUARY 16 Humanities for All is a grant program that supports projects in the public humanities. Project Grants ($10,000 to $25,000) are awarded twice a year to large scale public humanities projects of up to two-years duration from the award date. Appropriate programming formats include but are not limited to virtual and in-person interpretive exhibits, community dialogue and discussion series, workshops and participatory activities, presentations and lectures, conversations and forums, and interactive and experiential activities.

LIBRARY INNOVATION LAB – APPLY BY FEBRUARY 1 The program provides a ten-month practice-based professional development experience (and cash grants of up to $5,500) to ten participating library programmers each year. To date, 60 California libraries from across the state have participated in the program which aims to provide welcoming experiences for immigrants and foster more inclusive communities.

HUMANITIES FOR ALL QUICK GRANTS – APPLY BY FEBRUARY 15 Humanities for All Quick Grants (between $1,000 and $5,000) are awarded three times a year (February, June, October) to small-scale public humanities programs and projects which take place within one year from the award date. Projects should be grounded in the humanities, show potential to provide high quality humanities learning experiences for participants and audiences, and demonstrate capacity for successful implementation.

CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTARY PROJECT NEXTGEN GRANTS – APPLY BY FEBRUARY 29 CDP NextGen grants support emerging documentary mediamakers ages 18 and under. California-based nonprofit organizations and public agencies, including schools, arts councils, tribal governments, and libraries, may apply for funding up to $15,000 to conduct youth media programming.

MUSEUM WORKERS RELIEF FUND – ONGOING LOTTERY Museum Workers Speak recently re-launched the Museum Workers Relief Fund and kicked off a new round of fundraising. Applications are open to any and all museum workers in the U.S. who have been laid off, furloughed, or otherwise severely impacted by Covid-19. Applicants have a chance to receive $500 in aid through a lottery system.

ARTS LEADERS OF COLOR EMERGENCY FUND Set up by the Arts Administrators of Color Network this fund supports US-based BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists AND administrators (consultants, facilitators, box office staff, seasonal/temporary employees, etc.) who have been financially impacted due to COVID-19. Apply to receive funds or donate. 

CALIFORNIA GRANTS PORTAL  The California State Library is excited to announce the launch of the California Grants Portal. Billions of dollars in grant opportunities from dozens of state departments and agencies can now be easily accessed and opportunities can be filtered by keywords or categories. The Grants Portal also makes it possible to search by eligible applicant types, including nonprofit organizations, public agencies, businesses, tribal governments, and others.