Cleveland Foundation: Equity in the Arts Grant

The Cleveland Foundation's Equity in the Arts Fund supports organizations led by people of color in promoting diverse arts and cultures. Grants between $5,000 and $30,000 are available for non-profits and collectives with fiscal sponsors, focusing on enhancing organizational capacity and sustainability. The fund aims to uplift Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, fostering a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga Counties.

Equity in the Arts Fund
The Equity in the Arts Fund (EITAF), previously known as the Minority Arts and Education Fund (MAEF), is a supporting organization of the Cleveland Foundation that seeks to strengthen and build the capacity of organizations that promote the arts and cultures of communities of color and to provide meaningful creative opportunities for artists of color.
The fund is accepting applications for grants ranging from $5,000 – $30,000 to organizations that are led by people of color and serve, engage in, and promote the arts and cultures – both traditional and new – of communities of African, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous and Middle Eastern descent.
Purpose and Rationale
The Equity in the Arts Fund (EITAF) seeks to strengthen and build the capacity of small and medium cultural organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga Counties with a special focus on the City of Cleveland.
We envision a vibrant, inclusive arts and cultural community that uplifts the voices, cultures, and experiences of all residents. Historically, organizations that are led by people of color and engage in and promote the arts and cultures of communities of color struggle to obtain the financial resources necessary to build their organizational capacity and sustainability. In recognition of this unique need, the EITAF will award grants to start-up, small and medium organizations that are led by people of color and serve, engage in, and promote the arts and cultures, both traditional and new, of communities of African, Indigenous, Latin/X, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern descent.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations:Non-profit organizations with a yearly budget of up to $300,000Individuals and collectives with a fiscal sponsor:An organization currently holding 501(c)3 tax-exempt status must serve as the lead applicant for an EITAF grant. Organizations that do not currently have 501(c)3 tax-exempt status are eligible to apply in partnership with a tax-exempt organization (fiscal sponsor) and the fiscal sponsor must be the organization submitting the application.