For Organizations

•     501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, units of state or local government, institutions of higher education, or federally recognized Indian tribal governments are eligible to receive funds.

•     Applicant cannot be disbarred, suspended, or have any other exclusions or disqualifications from receiving federal funding.

•     The entity and program must be located in Barnstable County, Dukes County, or Nantucket County.

•     The proposed project must happen between January 1 to December 31, 2027.

•     You're welcome to apply again for funding to support the same program, but please know that we give priority to new projects. Our goal is to encourage creativity, innovation, and growth, so repeat funding for the same activity should not be expected beyond one year.

•     Applicants with incomplete or outstanding grant obligations or past-due reports from previous Arts Foundation grants are not eligible to apply. Feel free to contact Programs Manager, Amy Neill if you are unsure at aneill@artsfoundation.org.

•     Grants will not be awarded to two or more parties for the same project, program, etc. Collaborative efforts will need to determine one eligible lead organization to be the applicant responsible for the application and disbursement of funds to partners and required reporting on the progress of the project, if awarded.

$500 to $10,000

Applications Open: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Grant Awards: December 2026

Grants Funding Period: January 1 to December 31, 2027

Grant Reports Deadline: Grant recipients will be expected to complete their grant activities by December 31, 2027, and submit a final report 30 days after completing the awarded project or initiative. All reports are due no later than 30 days after the end of the funding period or by January 31, 2028. Final reports will be completed and submitted through the online application system.

Please note: no exceptions will be made past the application deadline. It is highly recommended that you begin your online application process well before the deadline to ensure there is proper time to submit your application. The most successful applications we have received have clear evidence that significant time was spent in preparation of the narrative, the budget, and all sections of the application.

These grants are part of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's grant program and are supported by generous donors who believe in the power of the arts to strengthen our community.

This funding provides project support to organizations conducting arts and culture programming that creates access to the arts for all, breaks down barriers, and fosters connection across Cape Cod and the Islands. These projects aim to engage audiences of all ages and abilities, while addressing critical community challenges.

The Arts Foundation is dedicated to removing barriers to participation in the arts, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of creativity. We believe in the arts as a platform for connection, empowering organizations to bring people together, inspire dialogue, and amplify voices in their communities.

·         Innovative programs that expand access to arts and culture for underserved communities or which tackle pressing community challenges through creative engagement.

·         Exhibitions, workshops, performances, or programs that celebrate and promote the art, culture, or experiences of diverse and historically underrepresented populations.

·         Collaborative programs that foster connection, create inclusive spaces, and encourage participation across all demographics and communities.

·         Projects which utilize the arts as an avenue to improve individual and community health.

·         These examples are not exhaustive but provide a glimpse into the types of projects that align with this funding opportunity.

These funds are intended to support specific project-related costs. Cost share/matching funds are not required. Please see below for unallowable expenses.

The following costs cannot be covered by the grant:

• General operating support, or support for a full season of programming.

• Direct grants to individuals.

• Direct grants to individual elementary or secondary schools - charter, private, or public, or booster clubs and similar organizations dedicated to supporting individual elementary or secondary schools.

• Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, community dinners, picnics, and potlucks. Generally, this also includes activities at venues such as bars, wineries, and breweries where the consumption of alcohol/social activity is the primary purpose of the venue.

• Awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement.

• Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including arts markets, concessions, food, beverages, T-shirts, artwork, posters, or other items for resale. This includes costs for workers selling such items. This includes online or virtual sales/shops.

• Lobbying, including activities intended to influence the outcome of elections or influence government officials regarding pending legislation, either directly or through specific lobbying appeals to the public.

• Land purchase costs, construction, or renovation of building structures. Design fees, preparing space for an exhibit, installation or de-installation of art, and community planning are allowable.

• Subgranting or regranting.

• Cash reserves and endowments.

• Costs for the creation of new organizations.

• Alcoholic beverages.

• Gifts and prizes. This includes cash prizes, gift certificates/cards, or any other items with monetary value.

• General contingencies or miscellaneous costs.

• General fundraising for your organization.

• Marketing expenses not directly related to the project.

• Hospitality costs and costs related to social functions such as receptions, parties, and galas, as well as food/meals that conclude a program or event.

• Vehicle purchase costs.

• Audit costs not directly related to a federally required Single Audit.

• Contributions or donations to other entities.

• Fines and penalties, bad debt costs, or deficit reduction.

• Costs incurred before or after the approved Period of Performance.

• Indirect costs (such as general overhead) cannot be included.

• Narrative

• Brief description of project or program.

• What new or innovative element does the program introduce to the community.

• Please include number of artists, their roles, and how they will be compensated.

• How will this project or program remove barriers to participation.

• How will grant funds be used.

Project Budget: Please note that your project budget should include both income and expenses. Income should include the grant amount you are seeking from the Arts Foundation. Your income should equal your expenses.

Please use this budget template.

Please note that your project budget should include both income and expenses. Income should include the grant amount you are seeking from the Arts Foundation. Your income should equal your expenses. You must use the provided template here.

Should you have questions, please contact Amy Neill at aneill@artsfoundation.org.

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the grant rubric for detailed evaluation criteria.

The 2027 Grants will be reviewed by the Grants Committee, a panel of professional arts experts with experience across various disciplines. Each application will be evaluated using a grant rubric to ensure a fair and transparent selection process.

Reviewers will assess applications based on the following key areas:

• Mission & Organizational Focus (25 points) - How clearly your organization articulates its mission and primary programming, and how directly your project aligns with the grant's priorities.

• Access, Innovation & Impact (30 points) - How your project increases access to the arts for underserved communities, what makes it new or innovative, how it removes barriers to participation, and how you will measure impact.

• Artist Involvement & Compensation (20 points) - Whether artist roles are clearly defined and your project demonstrates a commitment to fair compensation and equitable treatment of artistic labor.

• Budget & Sustainability (25 points) - The clarity and realism of your budget, demonstrated financial need, and a credible plan for sustaining the project beyond the grant period.

The review process ensures that funding supports projects that align with the program's mission of fostering artistic excellence, community engagement, and accessibility in the arts.

• If awarded a grant, recipients will be asked to acknowledge the Arts Foundation's support in any marketing materials, using the Arts Foundation logo. If issuing a press release or posting a story on your website about your project, we ask you to mention the Arts Foundation's support somewhere in the press release/story.

• While not required, grant recipients are encouraged to tag the Arts Foundation in any social media posts so we can share with our audience.

• If your project involves an event open to the public, we encourage you to post that event on our Arts Cape Cod website which is free to use. Events on Arts Cape Cod are shared in weekly emails which reach over 6,000 people.

• Arts Foundation may want to conduct site visits and/or interviews with grant recipients to learn more about the important work you are doing and to share with our supporters.