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 June 2026 and May 2027.

$500 to $10,000

Applications Open: April 1, 2026

Application Deadline: May 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Grant Awards: June 2026

Grants Funding Period: June 2026-May 2027

Grant Reports Deadline: Grant recipients will be expected to complete their grant activities by May 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 June 30, 2027. Final reports will be completed and submitted through the online application system.

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

• 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 us if you are unsure at info@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 artist 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.

May 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Please note: No exceptions will be made past the 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. We advise applicants not to wait until the final day to start their application process or to submit their application in the last few minutes before the deadline.

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.

• 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 email info@artsfoundation.org, subject: Grants Help Needed. Someone will respond as soon as possible.

Use the rubric

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, Tshirts, artwork, or other items for resale. 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.

• Construction, purchase, or renovation of facilities or the purchase of land. 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.

• Land purchase costs, construction, or renovation of building structures.

• Vehicle purchase costs.

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

• Cash reserves or endowments.

• Concessions including food, beverages, T-shirts, posters, and other items for resale. This includes costs for workers selling such items.

• 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.

The 2025 Grants will be reviewed by a panel of professional arts experts with experience across various disciplines. Each application will be evaluated using a public rubric to ensure a fair and transparent selection process.

Reviewers will assess applications based on the following key areas:

• Access & Innovation - How does your project increase access to the arts? Is your project offering a new, innovative approach to using the arts in our community?

• Access and Inclusion - How the project expands access to the arts and engages underserved or underrepresented communities.

• Community Need and Impact - The project's potential to address a clear community need and create meaningful change.

• Project Feasibility and Budget - The clarity and feasibility of the plan, including a realistic timeline and budget.

• Artist Involvement & Compensation - Does my project support and uplift artists? If artists are involved, your project should have a plan that provides for fair compensation and acknowledgement of artistic labor.

• Overall Strength of Proposal - Explain how funding will advance the arts in the community. Why is this project needed?

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

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.