Portland Arts & Culture: General Operating Support Grant

The Portland Arts & Culture General Operating Support program provides essential funding for local arts organizations that enhance the cultural ecosystem of the city. With a focus on accessibility, these grants support a wide range of activities including community events and arts education. Eligible organizations must be based in Portland, hold IRS 501(c)(3) status, and demonstrate a commitment to serving diverse communities. Over 1.5 million attendees benefit from these programs annually, bolstering the local economy.

NOTE: There are currently no plans to accept new applications for General Operating Support in 2025. Arts organizations that are interested in being considered for General Operating Support in the future can indicate their interest here.
Office of Arts & Culture
The Office of Arts & Culture puts arts at the center of public life for all Portlanders by supporting a diverse array of creative expressions. Working with City bureaus, Council offices, and community partners, Arts & Culture champions Portland's vibrant arts and culture ecosystem.
General Operating Support Grants
General Operating Support grantees strengthen the region’s cultural ecosystem and economy bringing arts access to all Portlanders, from classes and community events to free concerts and theater camps.
General Operating Support grants provide essential resources to local arts organizations. These groups offer a wide range of activities and creative outputs—from theater and art classes to dance performances and free community concerts. The funding also supports arts education in classrooms and a one-time rental subsidy for all grantees who are frequent users of the City-owned Portland’s Centers for the Arts venues.
Each year, Arts & Culture's General Operating Support grantees bring more than 1.5 million attendees out to arts and culture events in Portland and support more than 5,000 jobs in the region. These organizations also generate in excess of $140 million in direct spending at arts events annually.
Going forward, funding will be allocated to organizations that provide services to K-12 students and people in under-represented communities.

Eligibility

To be eligible for General Operating Support, arts organizations meet these criteria:  They are arts organizations headquartered in, and providing services in, the City of Portland. For the purposes of General Operating Support, the definition of “arts organization” is an organization whose primary mission and goals articulate its commitment to developing and providing ongoing arts programs made available to the public. They have IRS 501(c)3 tax status. They have minimum eligible annual income of $75,000. They have at least one paid professional administrative staff member on payroll as an employee of the organization. They have continuous administration throughout the year.