Operating Support Grant for Organizations

Operating Support Grant for Organizations

Status: Active grant program

Geographic Scope: Arrowhead region (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties, plus Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Bois Forte, and Leech Lake nation within Itasca county)

Award Amount: $4,500 - $17,000 per organization

Recent Awards: $150,000 awarded to 11 organizations in Fall 2025 round (plus additional $10,000 Accessible Arts funding to 5 organizations)

Eligibility:

Nonprofit arts organizations

Nonprofit community education organizations

Non-arts nonprofit organizations

Located in or serving the Arrowhead region

Program Description:
Provides general operating support to nonprofit organizations serving arts and cultural needs in the region.

Focus Areas:

Music and performance organizations

Dance and movement organizations

Arts education

Community cultural programming

Theater and drama

Folk schools and craft education

Indigenous arts and cultural representation

What They Fund:

General operating expenses

Administrative positions

Community programming

Educational offerings

Performance and event costs

Accessibility improvements (through Accessible Arts funding component)

Additional Funding:
Accessible Arts Component - Up to $10,000 additional per organization for:

ADA compliance and accessibility modifications

Wheelchair ramps

Handrails

Accessible portable bathrooms

AV system improvements

Ground-level renovations

Teaching mirrors for ADA compliance

Facilities accessibility improvements

Contact:

Phone: (218) 722-0952

Email: info@aracouncil.org

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 am–3 pm