Local Cultural Council Grant Program

The Local Cultural Council Grant Program, funded by the Mass Cultural Council, supports arts, humanities, and science projects through local councils across Massachusetts. With 329 councils serving all 351 communities, this program emphasizes local decision-making to address community needs. Grants typically range from $250 to $750, with competitive applications due to limited funds. Councils can choose between reimbursement and direct grants, ensuring funds effectively support local initiatives.

Mass Cultural Council distributes funds to local and regional cultural councils, who then regrant funds to arts, humanities, and science projects in their own communities. Currently, there are 329 local and regional councils that represent all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The program is administered by 2,500 municipally appointed volunteers serving statewide.A hallmark of the LCC Program is the emphasis on local autonomy and decision making. LCCs are free to make funding decisions that best meet the particular needs and priorities of their community within the parameters of the broad state guidelines. Each LCC determines its own local eligibility requirements based on a community input process and these are incorporated into their local priorities and published to their Council Profile.The LCC application process can be quite competitive. Because of the large number of requests and the limited funds available for regranting, many LCCs receive far more applications than they can fully, or even partially, fund. LCC grants vary by council and are determined by each LCC. Mass Cultural Council strongly encourages LCCs make awards of no less than a minimum of $250 to each approved application. Average grants tend to be modest ($500-$750) and are either reimbursement-based, meaning the applicant expends their own money, and if approved for a grant, then submits paperwork for reimbursement or directly-granted, meaning funding is provided up front to approved applicants and requires the applicant submit a W-9, grant agreement, and final report. Each LCC stipulates whether they provide reimbursement or direct grants on their Council Profile.