VCA General Operating Support: Medium and Large Arts Organizations Grant

VCA General Operating Support: Medium and Large Arts Organizations Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Virginia Commission for the Arts
Amount: More than US $5,000
Last Updated: December 19, 2025

Summary

The VCA General Operating Support program provides vital funding for medium and large arts organizations in Virginia, aimed at supporting their operational needs. Eligible organizations must have a minimum cash income of $150,000 from the previous year and meet specific criteria to ensure they can deliver quality arts programming. This funding aims to strengthen the cultural fabric of Virginia by enabling these organizations to expand and enhance their services for the community.

Overview

NOTE: All new applicants must contact the Commission before applying to determine eligibility. This opportunity is for organizations with previous year’s cash income of at least $150,000. Organizations with smaller budgets may be eligible for  Operating Support Small: Small Arts Organizations.Pre-proposal deadline is for Short Form Applications. Full proposal deadline is for Long Form Applications. Purpose To invest in high-caliber arts organizations in fulfilling their missions. The VCA serves as a partner by providing operating funds to continue, strengthen, and expand arts experiences that benefit all Virginians.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible ApplicantsMeets the basic eligibility requirements as listed on page 9 of the Guidelines for FundingVirginia organizations whose primary purpose is the arts (units of government, organizations using a fiscal agent, and educational institutions and their private companion foundations are not eligible for GOS)  Is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Is incorporated in Virginia for at least one year prior to application Has its headquarters and home season in Virginia Has completed three (3) years of programming Presents at least three (3) different programs or services for the public each year Had a previous year’s cash income of at least $150,000. Organizations with smaller budgets may be eligible for OSS grants or for Community or Educational Impact Grants. Presents activities in ADA-compliant venue(s) including wheelchair access to restrooms Is governed by a board of directors that meets regularly Must not be under current debarment or suspension from federal funding Must have no past-due Final Reports to the VCA at the time of application  Additional RequirementsAvocational Organizations Priority in this funding program will be given to organizations that pay artists. Avocational organizations may be funded in this program if they provide specific services or programs that would otherwise not be available in that particular geographic area. Avocational organizations may apply in the other grant programs of the Commission.FestivalsA Partnership-funded festival must be:a separately incorporated Virginia organization with a year-round administrative staffmaintain a primary purpose in the arts maintain a year-round presence in the community spend the majority of its budget on arts activities last longer than three consecutive days hire professional artists include education and outreach programs as part of the festivalOther festivals may apply for Community Impact Grants and Virginia Touring Grants, if applicable.Educational OrganizationsOrganizations that exist primarily to provide arts education should meet the following criteria:maintain a diversified funding base, beyond tuition and ticket sales for public performances, that shows widespread community supportemploy teaching artists who are professionals or former professionals in their fields offer classes aimed at acquiring skills at ever-increasing levels of difficulty offer classes focused on the development of skills rather than rehearsals for a performance offer scholarships for low-income students with an active effort to recruit students from diverse segments of the communitypresent regular opportunities for students to perform or exhibit for the publicEligible ExpensesFunding from General Operating Support grants may be used to support most aspects of an arts organization’s annual operating expenses (not including capital expenses), such as:Artist fees Administrative costs Contractual services Accessibility services Facilities operations (utilities, rent, routine maintenance, etc.) Marketing or publicity of events/activities Personnel (salaries, benefits, etc.) Professional development (workshops, seminars, conferences, excluding credit-earning post-secondary coursework) Supplies and materials Technical costs Travel (domestic) and other operational expenses necessary to deliver arts programs and services

Ineligibility

Organizations applying for GOS may not apply for:Operating Support for Small Organizations (OSS)Community Impact Grants Arts in Practice Grants Vocal, Dance, and Musical EnsemblesVocal, dance, and musical ensembles that perform primarily pop, Broadway, or barbershop music, or that focus primarily on competitions are not eligible for General Operating Support but may be eligible to apply for Community or Education Impact Grants.