Cultural Affairs Operating Grants

Cultural Affairs Operating Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs
Last Updated: December 04, 2025

Summary

The Cultural Affairs Operating Grants offered by the City of San José support professionally-managed arts organizations with year-round programs. Eligible applicants must have annual operating expenditures below $750,000 and a history of receiving grants. The two-year application covers FY 2026-2027 and FY 2027-2028. Organizations must demonstrate financial stability by avoiding significant deficits. This initiative aims to enrich cultural opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

Overview

NOTE: Applicants who are considering submitting an Operating Grant are REQUIRED to attend the pre-application workshop OR review the recorded workshop before applying. First-time applicants are also REQUIRED to attend a pre-application workshop and to consult with the program staff well in advance of the application deadline. Cultural Affairs Operating Grants The City of San José awards Operating Grants (OpG) to a limited number of professionally-managed San Jose arts/cultural organizations with ongoing, year-round arts programming. The grant supports general operating need Two-Year OpG Application Eligibility Each year, certain organizations are eligible to submit a two-year application. During the FY 2026-2027 funding cycle, the two-year application covers both FY 2026-2027 and FY 2027-2028 grant cycles.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant organizations that meet all the following criteria are eligible to submit a two-year application in the FY 2026-2027 grant cycle:Have annual operating expenditures averaging BELOW $750,000 in the three most recently completed fiscal years (For non-arts organizations, substitute documented arts-specific expenditures in place of annual operating expenditures).Have received an Operating Grant in the past two funding cycles, andDid not incur an operating deficit at the end of FY 2024-2025 and are not projecting an operating deficit at the end of FY 2025-2026, OR incurred an operating deficit at the end of FY 2024-2025 or project an operating deficit at the end of FY 2025-2026, but can demonstrate that the deficit did not or will not exceed 15 percent (15%) of its unrestricted fund balance (unrestricted net assets).