The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s (AFCC) 2025 Grant Program prioritizes arts initiatives that create access for everyone in the community, ensuring that the arts are inclusive and widely available to people of all ages and abilities. We are looking to support projects that remove barriers — financial, physical, or social — and introduce innovative ideas to engage all audiences.

We are especially interested in programs that:

  • Make the arts accessible —offering free or low-cost participation.
  • Engage seniors, individuals with disabilities, or intergenerational groups.
  • Bring fresh, innovative arts experiences to the community.
  • Foster connections through shared creative experiences.
  • Prioritize hiring artists to lead and implement these programs, ensuring they are fairly compensated for their work.

Whether large or small, if your project opens the doors to the arts while supporting working artists, we want to hear about it!

Please read the 2025 Creative Organizational Grant Program Guidelines before completing this application.

Grant awards will be between $2,500 and $10,000. Applicants will be asked to create a budget, including income and expenses, with clear details on how funds will be used (output).

Please note, the Grants Review Committee will be evaluating each application based on this rubric (click here).

Who Can Apply

These grants include federal funds through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is matching these funds.

Since these are federal funds, eligible applicants must either be: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; units of state or local government; institutions of higher education; or federally-recognized Indian tribal governments (20 USC Sec 954 (f)). Organizations can be in Barnstable County, Dukes County, or Nantucket County. 

Please note, in order to apply your organization must have a UEI.

Timeline

Applications Open: Friday, March 7, 2025 at 9 AM

Application Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Grant Awards: Late May/Early June 2025

Award notifications are expected to be announced via email at some point in late May/early June with checks mailed shortly thereafter.

Grants Funding Period: June 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

A mid-year progress report will be due in December 5, 2025. 

Grant recipients will be expected to complete their grant activities by June 30, 2026, 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 July 30, 2026. Final reports will be completed and submitted through the online application system.

Application Process

Grants for organizations are available for arts-related projects which create and increase access to the arts for everyone in the community and address important community issues.

This application will be completed and submitted through an online system using Submittable.

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.

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.

If you have any questions regarding the application, please email us at info@artsfoundation.org.

Eligibility for Funding 2025

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for funding: 

Additional Eligibility Considerations 

  • In line with the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s commitment to mitigate systemic inequities, the grants program will prioritize applications submitted by artists belonging to identified groups that have historically been underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or socioeconomic status. 
  • Grants will not be awarded for similar activities for more than 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 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. 

Grant Info Sessions

March TBD at 10 am for artists (9 am for organizations)

Friday, April 4, 2025 at 10 am for artists (9 am for organizations)

Join us for an Info Session on the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s Community Equity Grants for Creative Individuals. We’ll cover eligibility, project ideas, budget, the application process, and tips for crafting a compelling proposal. 

Please reach out with any questions you may have at info@artsfoundation.org.