OAC Project Support: Capacity Building Grants

OAC Project Support: Capacity Building Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ohio Arts Council
Amount: US $1,000 - US $5,000
Last Updated: January 13, 2026

Summary

The Ohio Arts Council's Capacity Building Grants support organizations in enhancing their internal capabilities through external expertise. The program funds projects focused on improving business practices, staff development, and organizational skills. Eligible applicants include arts organizations, educational institutions, and other entities providing arts programming. A 1:1 cash match is required, and grants can cover fees for consultants, training, and registration costs for professional development events. This initiative aims to strengthen Ohio's arts community.

Overview

NOTE: All funding for this program has been expended for FY 2023; no new applications will be accepted at the December 2022 deadline. Please check with your program coordinator regarding future projects. Capacity Building Engaging Outside Expertise to Strengthen Internal Organizational Knowledge The Capacity Building program supports organizations’ efforts to engage outside expertise to improve business practices or add new knowledge and skills that forward organizations’ missions. Awards may fund outside fees associated with technical assistance projects, planning or evaluation work, staff professional development opportunities, or other initiatives that upgrade an organization’s ability to do what they do. Registration costs for in-person professional development conferences or virtual learning opportunities may also qualify. These internally focused projects help Ohio arts providers address new challenges, modernize practices and procedures, and strengthen their ability to serve their constituents. How the Program Works Capacity Building grants are six-month or one-year awards for internal organizational development projects that engage the services of outside professional expertise to improve practices, build skills, or engage in planning or professional development. Outside expertise may include a consultant, conference, or content- expert training. All OAC funds must be directed to outside personnel fees; funds may also be used for the registration costs, travel, and lodging associated with sending staff to an professional development conference. Grantees must provide the administrative time and supplies needed to complete each project.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. All awards require a 1:1 cash match.All applicants must possess nonprofit status or nonprofit intent but need not be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Applicants may be: arts and cultural organizations in any arts discipline (literature, performing arts, visual arts, traditional arts, multidisciplinary arts, etc.); other organizations that provide arts programming (government entities, social service agencies, etc.); oreducational organizations (public, private, charter, and parochial schools from pre-kindergarten through university level) that demonstrate a commitment to arts programming in a larger community setting.

Ineligibility

Ineligible activities include:Requests to attend a conference whereby the primary focus is not professional development (e.g., serve as a conference presenter, market as a booth exhibitor, book an upcoming season’s performers, etc.). Requests for simple fee-for-service projects that result in consultant-created resources or tools not likely to increase organizational staff/board/volunteer capacity (e.g. website development, database development, grantwriting/fundraising services, etc.). Requests to hire contractors to carry out an organization’s day-to-day work. Requests to hire a consultant who also serves as a contractor, staff, or board member of the applying organization. Requests to support a suite of unrelated and/or ongoing activities.Other funding restrictions that apply to all programs are: OAC funds cannot be used to reduce or eliminate existing deficits, or to pay down interest expenses on debts or loans. OAC funds cannot be used for hospitality expenses (e.g., food and beverage costs). OAC funds cannot be used for fundraising efforts (e.g., benefits, United Fund drives, etc.) or cash prizes. OAC funds cannot be used for staff out-of-state travel (except for approved professional development activities). OAC funds cannot be used for projects whose primary purpose is to present political or religious ideas, or those that will enhance the property of religious or political institutions. Organizations accepting funding via a line item or earmark from the Ohio legislature in the state’s biennial operating budget – either directly or via a third-party or pass-through entity – are ineligible to receive competitive OAC grant awards during the same fiscal year(s), with the exception of line items or earmarks that are for capital projects. A person with authority to bind the organization receiving such line items or earmarks must provide the OAC with a notarized letter stating the funds are for capital projects and how the funds will be used. OAC funds cannot be used for arts activities that are primarily recreational or therapeutic unless the focus of the activities is artmaking led by a professional artist(s) and the project includes a public component. Art or music therapy activities must comply with licensure and regulation laws and rules (see Ohio Revised and Administrative Code Chapter 4757) overseen by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. OAC funds cannot be used to carry out “bricks and mortar” capital improvements, or for equipment purchases exceeding $1,500 (excluding Individual Excellence Awards). Materials that have a unit cost of at least $100, a useful life of at least five years, and are essential for the intended use or functioning of a particular facility or project are considered equipment and are subject to the $1,500 cap. OAC funds cannot be used to cover costs related to filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. An organization requesting OAC funds from one program to operate a given program(s) or activity(s) cannot request funds from another OAC program to support different elements within the same project or to operate the same or a similar program in the same fiscal year. OAC funds received via one program cannot be used as part of a cash match required to apply to another OAC program. OAC funds cannot be used to support individual artists applying via an organizational fiscal agent to carry out a specific project. OAC funds cannot be used for scholarship assistance for academic credit. OAC funds cannot be used to pay students enrolled in any high school, undergraduate, or graduate degree-granting program (excludes certificate programs, continuing education requirements, ad hoc classes, ongoing professional development coursework, etc.), or for staff salaries or operational overhead of public or private schools, colleges, universities, or government agencies. OAC funds can only support programs offered by public and private schools – including school districts, affiliates, colleges, and universities – if they will involve and be explicitly marketed to the public (excluding TeachArtsOhio). College, university, and government agency programming must also involve the public in both planning and implementing programming, and must show financial support that includes a nominal cash match from outside sources (i.e., beyond staff time and overhead provided by the applying school or agency). Or, if a college, university, agency development office, or research foundation expressly prohibits departments or programs from raising outside (non-OAC) funds, the applicant must submit a statement of that policy signed by the development office along with the application. NOTE: Indirect costs may not be used as a cash match if a grant is awarded and should be shown in the in-kind section of the budget. OAC funds cannot be used to cover costs related to an upcoming exhibition at the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery or support costs associated with participating in an event hosted by the Ohio Arts Council.