Cultural Affairs Operating Grants

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.

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.
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

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).