Operating Support Grants
Funding Amount
$591,900 total awarded (FY25)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Arts and culture nonprofits serving the region
Other requirements
- Minimum eligible budget: $5,000
- Organizations representing all arts disciplines
- Organizations across all nine magisterial districts
Overview
ArtsFairfax's largest grant program providing critical funding for the basic operation of vital programs, performances, arts education, and services to residents of Northern Virginia.
Geographic Scope: Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, and City of Falls Church
Key Statistics (FY25):
- Total Awarded: $591,900
- Number of Organizations: 58 arts and culture organizations
- Leadership Diversity: 81% female leadership, 28% BIPOC leadership, 24% veteran leadership
- Organization Size: Half of recipients are small businesses with budgets under $100,000
Eligibility:
- Minimum eligible budget: $5,000
- Arts and culture nonprofits serving the region
- Organizations representing all arts disciplines
- Organizations across all nine magisterial districts
Disciplines Funded:
- Dance
- Theater
- Instrumental Music
- Vocal Music/Opera
- Visual Arts
- Literature
- Film
- Multidisciplinary/Arts Services
- Arts Education
Review Process:
- Applications reviewed and scored by independent grant panel
- Panel comprised of local professionals with expertise in various arts disciplines
- Panel reviews made accessible to applicants and general public
Contact:
- Phone: (703) 642-0862
- Email: info@artsfairfax.org
- Address: 2667 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031
About ArtsFairfax:
Funded in part by Fairfax County, Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, corporations, foundations, and individuals.
What Arts Council of Fairfax County Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 33
- Total given
- $718K
- Median grant
- $14K
- Range
- $5,050–$66K
- By dollars: Virginia 100%. Top recipient cities: Fairfax, VA; Reston, VA; McLean, VA.
- 88% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 24% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Nextstop Theatre Company · Herndon, VA
Operating support
$66K
McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) · McLean, VA
Operating support
$61K
1ST Stage · Tysons, VA
Operating support,project support,ticket subsidy and participation grant
$56K
Creative Cauldron · Falls Church, VA
Operating support,ticket subsidy and participation grant
$46K
Workhouse Arts Center · Lorton, VA
Operating support
$40K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Arts
- Nonprofits
- Operating support
Categories
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Open grants from this funder and similar programs
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Arts Council of Fairfax County Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Project Support Grants
Arts Council of Fairfax County Inc
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Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
GLCF: Century Fund Grant
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Amount
US $100,000
Deadline
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ArtsKC Mission Support Grant
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Amount
US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Wyeth Foundation for American Art Grant - Organization
Wyeth Foundation for American Art
Amount
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Deadline
December 15, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Operating Support for Existing Programs/Projects
CPPS Heritage Mission Fund
Amount
$5,000 - $100,000
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
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