This grant is now closed. The next application period will open in early 2024.
About this Grant
General Operating Support: Emerging offers funding to arts organizations created in the last three years. This grant assists with everyday costs so that new groups can focus on providing creative, communal, and cultural experiences with and for the people of Washington State.
Of special interest are new organizations that focus on the work of communities not fully or authentically represented in their region. We encourage new organizations that focus on communities impacted by historic and structural inequity to apply.
Funding amounts: Applicants can request between $2,000-$6,000 for general operating expenses. If awarded, grant amounts may vary depending on panel recommendations and available funds.
Important Dates
- Application open: February 1, 2023 – March 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. PST
- Notification of application results: May 10, 2023
- Funds can cover expenses that incur between July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
- This is a reimbursement grant, meaning that payments will be made after the grant recipient expends funds, and after expense documentation and invoice forms have been submitted to and approved by ArtsWA.
- Final report due July 31, 2024
Application information
Applicants must have:
- A mission that centers arts, culture, and/or creativity.
- Publicly accessible programming.
- Between one – three years of programming history.
- An address in Washington State.
- An annual operating budget between $0-$50,000.
Applicants must be one of the following:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- 501(c)(3)s should have current state corporate nonprofit status and current federal tax-exempt determination under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- A group fiscally sponsored by a 501c3
- Unincorporated groups may apply if they intend to gain fiscal sponsorship before July 1, 2023. Groups must have at least 3 members with assigned roles and duties.
Who is not eligible?
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations
- Government agencies, universities, colleges, academic departments, and K-12 schools
- Full list of what ArtsWA can and cannot fund as a state agency.
Gather your documents
- IRS Letter of Determination. For fiscally sponsored groups, we will need your fiscal sponsor’s IRS Letter of Determination.
- Your organization’s annual operating budget. You can use this operating budget template if you need. For fiscally sponsored groups, we will also need your fiscal sponsor’s budget.
- Work samples of your past projects or programs. Work Sample Guidelines
Gather your identification numbers
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov. Learn more about getting your UEI (SAM) here. For fiscally sponsored groups, we will need your fiscal sponsor’s UEI.
- IMPORTANT: As of April 2022, recipients of grants using federal funds are required to have an UEI number. The UEI replaces the DUNS Number. If you don’t have one yet, you should apply now. You may apply for this grant without one but cannot receive funds until you have a UEI.
- Federal Tax ID (EIN). For fiscally sponsored groups, we will need your fiscal sponsor’s EIN.
- Statewide Vendor (SWV) number. If you receive a grant, you will need to have an SWV number to receive payment from the state. Learn more about the SWV number here. For fiscally sponsored groups, we will need your fiscal sponsor’s SWV number.
- If you have received payment from Washington State in the past – you likely already have a SWV number. You can check on the status of your SWV number by using the vendor number lookup or contacting: PayeeRegistration@ofm.wa.gov.
Apply in Submittable
- Submittable is the online platform where you will submit your application. Log in or create an account here.
- If you need assistance with Submittable, take a look at our Submittable FAQs.
Organization Information
- Organization and relevant staff/volunteer contact information
- Select your group’s legal status: 501(c)(3) or Fiscally Sponsored
- Your organization’s or your fiscal sponsor’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and Statewide Vendor (SWV) number.
- Disclose if your organization or project has a conflict of interest with ArtsWA. This is for transparency only. You can read our full Conflict of Interest Policy here.
Organization Overview
- Give a short, one-sentence description of your organization.
- Select the creative practices and the communities your programs serve.
Narrative Questions
You may choose to answer each narrative question as either written response (250 words) or in an audio and/or video format (up to 1 minute.) If you choose video format, simple, low tech, cell phone or webcam videos are preferred. Quality of the audio or video won’t be evaluated.
- Group History and Structure. Things to consider: How and why did your group form? How is your organization currently structured? Tell us about your past programs. What were the outcomes of those programs?
- Audience and Community. Things to consider: Who are the people your group serves? How do they access and experience your programs? How are your programs culturally relevant to the community you serve? How is your organization suited to provide services for your intended audience?
- Organization Goals. Things to consider: What programs are you most excited to provide in 2023-2024? How are you planning for capacity building through 2024 – financially and operationally?
Budget
- Upload a copy of your organization’s board-approved operating budget for your last fiscal year.
- Upload a copy of your organization’s board-approved operating budget for your next fiscal year.
Work Samples
- Share 3-5 Work Samples of your organization’s past programs. You may upload images, video, audio, or other documents in any combination. Work Sample Guidelines
Additional uploads
- If you are fiscally sponsored, upload your fiscal sponsor’s annual operating budget.
- Your organization’s or your fiscal sponsor’s IRS Letter of Determination. This is the document that confirms you have 501(c)(3) status.
The panel will be considering the criteria below as they review your application:
- Creative Impact: Your programs are robust and creative. They have a culturally responsive, meaningful impact on the community you serve.
- Public Benefit: Your organization is engaging and accessible. Your programs include services for communities negatively impacted by structural inequity. Examples of Public Benefit.
- Organization Planning: Your organization has clearly stated goals and strategies to remain in operation through 2024.
Screening for Eligibility: Staff will screen your application to make sure your application meets eligibility requirements.
Panel: All applications are reviewed and scored by a panel. Panelists ensure that people from across Washington State are an integral part of distributing public money. After the application window closes, panelists representing a variety of creative fields and backgrounds will review applications and make recommendations for funding to ArtsWA’s Board of Commissioners.
Board Approval: Recommendations will go to the ArtsWA Board for approval on May 2, 2023.
Notification: Notification of award or decline will go out the week of May 10, 2023. Awarded applicants can expect their contract and instructions on how to receive funds in the next weeks after notification. Learn more about managing a grant here.
Accessibility
Federally funded projects must be accessible to people with disabilities. You can use this accessibility checklist when planning your programs. You do not need to check all boxes to be eligible for funding; this is simply a worksheet and resource for your organization.
Civil Rights
All applicants for funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) are required to certify that they are following the civil rights statutes that govern nondiscrimination in Federally assisted programs. For a FAQ on Civil Rights for applicants and to ensure your organization complies, click here.
Appeals
Unsuccessful applicants can appeal in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 30.12.036, found here.
About ArtsWA
ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. The Washington State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts fund our programs. Grants are contingent on available state and federal funding. ArtsWA complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil and human rights. For more information regarding Washington State Arts Commission’s policies on Accessibility, Diversity, and Nondiscrimination, click here.
Contact us
Linnea Ingalls, Grants to Organizations Program Coordinator, at 360-252-9969 or linnea.ingalls@arts.wa.gov
Ashley Marshall, Grants to Organizations Program Assistant, at 360-485-1524 or ashley.marshall@arts.wa.gov