City of Chico 2025-26 City Arts Grant

City of Chico 2025-26 City Arts Grant

Overview: The purpose of the City of Chico Arts Grant Program is to support Chico Arts Organizations and Artists so that they may make quality arts and cultural work, performances, and exhibitions available and accessible to members of the Chico community.

Funding Source: 1% of the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) (Transient Occupancy Tax)

Geographic Scope: City of Chico, California

Funding Limits

• Minimum Award: $2,000
• Maximum Award: $5,000
• Matching Funds Required: Yes, dollar-for-dollar (1:1) match required

Eligible Applicants

• Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations (501(c)3)
• Must be operating within the city of Chico
• Must have a two-year history of producing or presenting
• Individual artists are only eligible if applying under the sponsorship of a 501(c)3 nonprofit that meets other eligibility requirements

Eligible Activities

Projects should deliver or provide support for:
• Delivery of opportunities for the community to engage in arts and cultural experiences
• Artistic rigor and thoughtful planning to engage the community and audiences
• Strong support from the community
• Inclusive service to broad, diverse, and underserved populations

Diversity Definition: The fact or quality of difference in terms of ability, age, belief, culture, ethnicity, gender, language, race and sexual orientation.

Underserved Population: People who genuinely lack access to arts programs, services, or resources for geographic, economic, cultural, social, physical or other demonstrable reasons.

Eligible Use of Funds

Funds may be used for:
• Projects, events, exhibitions, and performances
• Capital improvement and equipment projects that support the organization's ability to provide arts and cultural services
• "Seed" monies for projects (not ongoing support)

Funds may NOT be used for:

Non-arts and cultural activities

General operations

Staff salary or benefits

Debt service

Fundraising activities

Programs intended for private use or use by a restricted membership

Projects with religious purposes

Trust, endowments, or investment purposes

Match Requirements

• Dollar-for-dollar (1:1) match required
• Cash match may be from:
- Corporate or private contributions - State or federal government funds - Earned income - In-kind contributions (see Addendum A)
• City of Chico funds cannot be used as a match
• Applicant must indicate whether matching funds are projected, pending, or committed

Important Dates

• Grant Q&A Session: 2-4 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, 2025
• Application Deadline: 4 p.m., Thursday, June 26, 2025
• Funding Decisions and Notifications: Friday, August 1, 2025
• Funding Activity Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
• Completion of Projects: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
• Completion Report Due: Upon completion or no later than July 15, 2026

Review Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on:

1. Project Design and Implementation

Realistic timeline, appropriate budget, clear artistic and community-based objectives and achievable outcomes

Methods to evaluate and measure success, collect and analyze data, and document activities

Depth of involvement and clear plans for community outreach and marketing

2. Artistic Merit

Artists and organizations involved demonstrate skills, expertise, and experiences central to project outcomes

3. Community Impact

Project demonstrates reach and/or depth of engagement in an identified community

Project is responsive to the community to be served

Project execution and evaluation involve significant community participation

4. Management and Leadership

Clear demonstration of applicant organization's ability to implement the proposed project

Qualifications of the project's team

Viability of the project budget

Overall fiscal and managerial health of applicant and partnering organizations

Demonstrated history of project and operational success

Contact Information

Questions directed to: City of Chico Arts Commission Email: debbie.presson@chicoca.gov For FAQs: Check the Arts Commission Facebook page City Clerk: stina.cooley@chicoca.gov

North Valley Community Foundation
Phone: (530) 891-1150
Address: The Foundation Building, 1811 Concord Ave., Suite 220, Chico, CA 95928