Arts Organizations: General Operating Support Grants

The Delaware Division of the Arts provides General Operating Support Grants to nonprofit organizations focused on the promotion and teaching of the arts. Eligible organizations must be based in Delaware, have a stable board, and demonstrate a history of community service. Grants support annual operating expenses, allowing for year-round arts participation. A staggered three-year application cycle ensures ongoing support while minimizing the application burden. These grants foster artistic growth and community engagement in Delaware.

NOTE: New arts organizations must successfully complete the Division of the Arts StartUp Program before applying for General Operating Support, Education Resource, or Arts Stabilization Fund grants.
Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts offers a variety of grant programs for individual artists; nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations chartered and based in Delaware; and schools and government entities that support arts activities.
Arts Organization Grants
These grants are made to non-profit Delaware organizations whose primary mission is the promotion, production, presentation, or teaching of the arts
Support of annual operating expenses to ensure that year-round participation in the arts is available to the people of Delaware.
Three-year Application Cycle
The Division uses a staggered, three-year application cycle for General Operating Support (GOS). Organizations seeking GOS must submit a Full Application in the “on year,” and Interim Applications in the “off years.” Grant awards for the second and third years will be determined by applying a funding formula to updated financial information submitted in the “off year” Interim Application.
A multi-year application cycle permits grantees, as well as the Division, to focus more attention on the delivery of programs and services and less on the preparation, processing, and review of grant applications. Organizations approved for GOS demonstrate a history of programming, service to their community, and management of their operations that provides confidence that a similar level of service or activity may be sustained over a three-year period without requiring a full application and review each year.

Eligibility

To be eligible for General Operating Support, applicants must:Have the promotion, presentation, production, and/or teaching of the arts as their primary purpose as outlined in their charter, incorporation papers, bylaws, and IRS nonprofit determination letter.Have a stable, functioning board of directors that meets at least quarterly.Be based and chartered in Delaware as a nonprofit organization; exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) or 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; and eligible to receive donations allowable as charitable contributions under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.Have total operating income of more than $16,000 for the last completed fiscal year.New arts organizations must successfully complete the Division of the Arts StartUp Program before applying for General Operating Support, Education Resource, or Arts Stabilization Fund grants.Funding from General Operating Support grants may be used to support most aspects of an arts organization's annual operating expenses (not including capital expenses), such as:Artists' feesAdministrative costsContractual servicesFacilities operations (utilities, routine maintenance…)Marketing or publicity of events/activitiesPersonnel (salaries, benefits…)Professional development (workshops, seminars, conferences, excluding credit earning post-secondary coursework)Supplies and materialsTechnical costsTravel (domestic) and other operational expenses necessary to deliver arts programs and services.

Ineligibility

Please note the following restrictions:The Division will not accept applications through fiscal agents.
No individual may compile or submit an application on behalf of an organization if that individual is a member or relative of a member of the Delaware State Arts Council or Division staffDivision funds may not be used for these expenses: Activities for which academic credit is givenActivities outside DelawareAwards and cash prizes or donationsBad debtBuilding, renovating, or remodeling of facilitiesCapital expenditures and non-consumables valued over $3,000Traditional circus performers and athletic activitiesContingency fundsExpenses incurred outside the grant periodFundraising costs (capital/endowment campaigns)Investments of any typeLobbyingMeals/refreshmentsPrivate entertainmentProjects restricted to exclusive participation or enjoymentProjects that have sectarian or religious purposesScholarships or research by individualsMatching FundsGeneral Operating Support grants are funded on a matching basis.