Arts & Cultural Organizations- General Operating Support Grant

The Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support grant program by the California Arts Council provides essential funding to arts and cultural organizations to support their ongoing operations. This initiative aims to strengthen California's cultural landscape by fostering a diverse arts workforce and infrastructure. Eligible organizations can utilize these funds for various operational costs, ensuring they can continue their vital work in the community without the limitation of project-specific funding.

The Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support grant program provides direct funding to arts and cultural organizations in support of ongoing operations.
This grant supports the well-being of California’s cultural vitality by helping sustain a robust and diverse arts workforce and infrastructure. Funds may be used to support any eligible expenses associated with the general operations of an arts or cultural organization, including but not limited to rent, utilities, and staff salaries. Applying for this grant does not restrict an organization from applying for other CAC project-based grants. General Operating grants are intended to support the applicant organization in carrying out its mission. Funding is not intended to support a specific project.

Eligibility

Eligible Organizations501(c)(3) organization as applicant or fiscal sponsorNon-governmental applicant organizations must demonstrate proof of nonprofit status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. Local government An arts-based unit of municipal or county government; or a tribal governmentApplicant organizations using fiscal sponsorsAn applicant organization that is without nonprofit status must use a California- based fiscal sponsor with a federal 501(c)(3) designation to apply for funding.Types of applicant organizations eligible to apply using a fiscal sponsor include, but are not limited to artist collectives, guilds, and 501(c)(6) organizations.Fiscal sponsors must have a minimum two-year history of consistent engagement in arts programming and/or services prior to the application deadline. Matching FundsNo match required for organizations with operating budgets less than 200% of maximum per year grant amount (i.e., less than $60,000 per year). 1:1 match required for organizations with budgets at least 200% of the maximum per year grant amount ($60,000 or more per year).Eligibility RequirementsCalifornia-based Documentation of being a California-based nonprofit arts/cultural organization; an arts-based unit of municipal or county government;or a tribal government, or nonprofit social service organization with regular ongoing arts programming and/or services and a principal place of business in California.Arts programming Applicants must have a minimum two-year history of consistent engagement in arts programming and/or services prior to the application deadline.Certificate of good standing Nonprofit organizations and fiscal sponsors (if applicable) must have “active status” with the California Secretary of State (SOS) showing evidence of “good standing” at the time of application.For organizations with total revenue above $250,000, the sum of requests for CAC grants during the same year of funding cannot exceed 50% of the total revenue from the most recently completed fiscal year, with the exception of applications for Administering Organization grants.

Ineligibility

Ineligible OrganizationsOrganizations applying for the CAC’s Statewide and Regional Networks, State-Local Partners, or Cultural Pathways grant programsOrganizations that do not have principal place of business in CaliforniaPublic and private colleges and universitiesK-12 school districtsCounty Offices of EducationSocial services or non-arts/cultural nonprofitsOrganizations with Total Revenue (TR) greater than $1,500,000 in the last completed fiscal yearFor-profit businesses and individuals may not use a fiscal sponsor to apply to CAC organizational grants. What the CAC Does Not Fund:As applicants:State agenciesFederal agenciesNon-arts organizations not involved in arts activitiesFor-profit organizationsNonprofit organizations not in “good standing” with California Secretary of StateFormer grantee organizations not in compliance with CAC grant requirements (as stipulated in grant agreement) Expenses incurred before the start date or after the ending date of the Grant Activity Period Expenses that would supplant other state fundingNeither the award nor the match may be used to supplant other state funding, including salaries of state employees or general operating expenses of school districts, County Offices of Education, or publicly funded schools, colleges, or universities.Operational, administrative, or indirect costs of schools, colleges, or universitiesFundraising activities or services such as annual campaigns, fundraising events, or grant writing Lobbying activities that are intended to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of government officials or specific legislation Programs or services intended for private use, or for use by restricted membership (including programs that require college or university enrollment for participation)Projects with religious purposesTrusts, endowment funds, or investmentsConstruction projects, purchase of land and buildings, or capital expenditures used to maintain, upgrade, acquire, or repair capital assetsEquipment purchases (equipment rentals are eligible)Debt repaymentHospitality, meals, or foodOut-of-state travel