Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation
The Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation is a public charity based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that supports artists, arts organizations, and arts activities. The organization reports that it was formed in 1979 and maintains 501(c)(3) status.
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation at a glance
In short: Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation gave $465K across 39 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Utah. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $465,450
- +116.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 39
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,935
- +44.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,750
- Total assets
- $2,414,631
- +90.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (15 of 39, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Utah (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The website says applicants must submit a new application each year. For City Arts Grants, applicants may submit only one application annually and cannot receive both a Project Support Grant and a General Operating Support Grant in the same fiscal year. The Foundation’s 2023 filing says applications are reviewed by committees, which make recommendations to the board; final approval rests with the board.
- Contact
Mailing address: 54 Finch Lane, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Website: https://saltlakearts.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Utah Museum of Contemporary Art ($51K). Together the top 10 received $238K.
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 148 grants of 150 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Utah. The City Arts Grants program described on the Council’s website funds programs and projects within Salt Lake City boundaries. General Operating Support applicants must have a primary physical location within those boundaries.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 39 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $9K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $215K (2024) to $465K (2025). In 2025 it made 39 grants totaling $465K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Museum of Contemporary Art Salt Lake City, UT | — | $50,650 |
| Plan B Theatre Company Salt Lake City, UT | — | $50,000 |
| Spy Hop Productions Salt Lake City, UT | — | $48,750 |
| Mestizo Institute of Culture & Arts Salt Lake City, UT | — | $16,250 |
| Tanner Dance Salt Lake City, UT | — | $14,750 |
| Bad Dog Arts Salt Lake City, UT | — | $14,250 |
| Utah Arts Alliance Salt Lake City, UT | — | $11,250 |
| Ashley Adnerson Dances Salt Lake City, UT | — | $11,150 |
| Utahpresents Salt Lake City, UT | — | $10,650 |
| Ririewoodbury Dance Comp Salt Lake City, UT | — | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,414,631 | $3,843,754 | $2,911,627 | $465,450 | 39 | $36,257 |
| 2024 | $1,266,592 | $2,484,776 | $2,375,570 | $214,900 | 26 | $29,045 |
| 2023 | $1,412,746 | $2,684,297 | $2,516,608 | $263,525 | 22 | $19,277 |
| 2022 | $1,578,268 | $2,133,751 | $1,977,991 | $324,500 | 36 | $1,523 |
| 2021 | $1,057,167 | $1,933,073 | $1,686,100 | $217,100 | 27 | — |
| 2020 | $826,857 | $1,528,743 | $1,383,569 | $218,265 | 26 | $12 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is “to promote, present and support artists, arts organizations and arts activities in order to further the development of the arts community and to benefit the public by expanding awareness, access and participation.”
Its filings describe public arts programming and a grants program for local artists and arts organizations. The 2025 grants included the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, whose mission is to work with artists and communities through programming, advocacy, and collaboration; Spy Hop Productions, which mentors young people in digital media arts; and Bad Dog Arts, which uses creative arts to inspire diverse and at-risk youth. Other recipients included arts organizations working in dance, music, film, theater, and crafts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 39 grants totaling $465,450. Grant amounts ranged from $5,200 to $50,650, with a median of $8,750. The largest awards included $50,650 to Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, $50,000 to Plan B Theatre Company, and $48,750 to Spy Hop Productions. Other notable awards were $16,250 to Mestizo Institute of Culture & Arts, $14,750 to Tanner Dance, and $14,250 to Bad Dog Arts.
The Salt Lake City Arts Council website describes City Arts Grants for projects and programs within Salt Lake City boundaries. Project Support grants of $2,000 or $4,000 are available to individuals, groups, and nonprofit organizations for arts projects such as concerts, murals, performances, festivals, workshops, and readings. Projects generally must include a community engagement activity; highly visible public murals are exempt. The FY27 Project Support deadline is October 25, 2026. The website also lists General Operating Support grants of up to $12,500 for Salt Lake City-based arts nonprofits; FY27 applications are closed, and the next application period is scheduled to open in spring 2028. Artist-in-the-Classroom grants provide $3,000 for artist residencies in eligible elementary schools in the Salt Lake City School District; FY27 applications are closed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Felicia Baca as executive director. Listed board officers and trustees are Travis English, board vice chair; Caitlin Tursic, treasurer; Cuauhtemoc Sandoval, board secretary; and trustees Jeff Driggs, Hannah Nielsen, Susan Koles Rickman, Lana Taylor, Gabriella Huggins, and Kathy Davis.
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation is led by Felicia Baca, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 7 of 15 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Felicia Baca
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$91K (2020) → $127K (2025)
Matthew Coles
Board Chair
Trustee → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$560 (2024) → $0 (2025)
Kathy Davis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$560 (2024) → $0 (2025)
Susan Koles Rickman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$400 (2024) → $400 (2025)
Hannah Nielsen
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$240 (2024) → $400 (2025)
Jeff Driggs
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$200 (2024) → $440 (2025)
Lana Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$360 (2025)
Gabriella Huggins
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sabrina Martinez
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eugenie Jaffe
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ignacio Rosenberg
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Canter
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caitlin Tursic
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$40 (2024) → $440 (2025)
Travis English
Board Vice Chair
Trustee → Board Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$280 (2025)
Cuauhtemoc Sandoval
Board Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Torle Nenbee (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Sarah Longoria (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Richard Taylor (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas Kessinger (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Kate Jarman Gates (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Katherine Potter (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Cale Newhouse (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ebay Hamilton (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Marti Wolford (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Andrea Ashdown (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Annie Dayton (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Erika Hill (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Matthew Castillo (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Josanne Glass (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Sonali Loomba (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Ayanna Allen (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Dave Mortensen (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Larry Cohen (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Nico Dicou (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Efren Corado Garcia (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Jared Jones (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Kanika Welch (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Leah Langan (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Barth (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $127K, to Felicia Baca (Exec Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation
How much does Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation give each year?
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation gave $465K across 39 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $215K across 26 grants.
What is Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation's typical grant size?
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,750, and its average grant was $11,935, across 39 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation give grants?
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation gives mostly in Utah: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Salt Lake City, UT (39 grants).
Who are Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation's largest grantees?
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Utah Museum of Contemporary Art ($50,650), Plan B Theatre Company ($50,000) and Spy Hop Productions ($48,750), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation?
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.8M.
What does Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation fund?
The organization’s mission is “to promote, present and support artists, arts organizations and arts activities in order to further the development of the arts community and to benefit the public by expanding awareness, access and participation.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation?
The website says applicants must submit a new application each year. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation's EIN?
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0386724. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 1, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 6, 2026)
Other open foundation grants in Utah
Utah Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
George S and Dolores Dore
Salt Lake City, UT
The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation funds arts and culture, community, education, health and wellness, and preservation and conservation, primarily for organizations serving Utah. Its 2024 grants had a median of $17,750, though awards ranged from $500 to $5.575 million. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online Letter of Inquiry.
Assets
$966.8M
Grants
400
Total Given
$27.0M
Lawrence & Janet Dee Foundation
Salt Lake City, UT
The foundation supports arts and culture, community services, conservation, education, and healthcare, with preference for work serving Ogden and Salt Lake City; applicants must be Utah-based, and other Utah requests are considered on a limited basis. Its 2024 filing reported $3,041,500 in grants, but the available information does not establish a typical award size. It accepts applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, though its website limits portal applications to organizations funded within the past three years; the fall 2026 inquiry period is closed.
Assets
$52.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$3.0M
B W Bastian Foundation
Orem, UT
The B W Bastian Foundation supports local and national institutions, with 2024 grants spanning LGBTQ+ services and rights, arts and culture, education, media, youth services, health, and animal welfare. Its grants ranged from $300 to $75,120, with a median of $5,000; 78% of grant dollars went to Utah, with others going to several states and Washington, DC. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.6M
Grants
116
Total Given
$966K
The Community Foundation of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
The Community Foundation of Utah supports nonprofit organizations addressing community needs, with work spanning areas such as homelessness, healthcare access, refugee support, and nonprofit capacity. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $20,000, and it supports organizations serving Utah and the broader United States.
Assets
$190.4M
Grants
299
Total Given
$60.0M
Marriner S Eccles Foundation
Salt Lake City, UT
The Marriner S. Eccles Foundation funds Utah organizations in areas including education, health, arts and culture, youth services, and community support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$78.1M
Grants
114
Total Given
$2.2M
The Diane and Sam Stewart Family
Salt Lake City, UT
The Diane and Sam Stewart Family funds arts, education, community activism, women’s and children’s issues, health, and other quality-of-life causes, prioritizing Salt Lake City and Utah while also supporting work elsewhere and internationally. In 2025, it awarded 14 grants totaling $378,000, ranging from $2,500 to $102,500, with a median grant of $10,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
14
Total Given
$378K
More similar funders
More Funders in Utah
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/salt-lake-arts-council-foundation-morg_f00c71023d8f40c28fa1947bc36cb44c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_870386724_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/salt-lake-arts-council-foundation-morg_f00c71023d8f40c28fa1947bc36cb44c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?