Arts Build Communities is sponsored by Oregon Arts Commission. These grants address community needs through art and are funded in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. They support projects that spark creativity, strengthen communities, and activate spaces across Oregon.

Business Oregon : Arts Build Communities (ABC) Grants : Arts Build Communities : State of Oregon Translate this site into other Languages tag, as divs are not allowed in 's --> Arts Build Communities (ABC) Grants Girls in traditional attire celebrate during a Centro Cultural del Condado de Washington County community cultural event.

Arts Build Communities Grants The Arts Build Communities (ABC) program provides matching support to arts and other community-based organizations for projects that address a local community problem, issue or need through an arts-based solution. Para asistencia en español, llame al FY2027 guidelines will be posted in April 2026. The FY2026 ABC Grant Guidelines are accessible in the Additional Resources section.

Applicants may begin application responses on a separate document now, all application questions are included on page 4 of the ABC Grant guidelines. Grants portal open for submissions: September 1, 2025 Application deadline: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 This program recognizes the role that the arts play in the broad cultural, social, educational, economic and tourism sectors of community life.

The program fosters partnerships that strengthen arts engagement, access and involvement in communities. Successful projects demonstrate building local capacity to strengthen the arts in a community through these local partnerships. The Arts Build Communities program prioritizes projects that provide access to the arts for underserved communities.

This includes communities that currently or historically face systemic barriers as defined by, but not limited to, geography, race/ethnicity, tribal affiliation, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ability/disability, age (youth and aging people), sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status.

Projects must support the integration of the arts and artists with community goals and may include new initiatives, new program development, cultural tourism and the expansion of existing arts and community development projects. Pre-development, design fees and community planning activities are eligible in this program.

At the time of the application deadline, all applicant organizations must: Be a unit of municipal government (including libraries, schools and Tribal governments); or Operate as a nonprofit as evidenced by: Current IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status; Active registration with the State of Oregon for corporate, non-profit status; Current Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM. gov​ ​.

Organizations using a fiscal sponsor are not eligible to apply. ​ ​Grant awards are $5,000. The Arts Commission determines awards based on number of applications and available grant funds.

There are limited resources and all applicants may not receive funding. Awards will not be paid out until after the start of the calendar year. Applicants should plan accordingly.

​​​​ ​Arts Commission staff reviews submitted applications for eligibility, completeness and accuracy. Applications that meet program requirements are accepted for further review. Applications are then reviewed by a panel of professionals with experience in the arts and other fields relevant to the program.

The Arts Commission considers panel recommendations for funding and determines final award amounts.

​ The following review criteria will be used to evaluate applications (0 is the lowest score): Project Objective and Project Quality (0 to 10 points) : Importance, value or impact of local community problem issue or need that is being addressed through the project; How clearly the application articulates how the project was identified and how it responds to a community need; The degree to which the project shows evidence of strong artistic excellence and merit and serves the intended population; Evidence of a realistic timeline for the creation and delivery of the project within the grant period (calendar year 2023).

​ Community Impact (0 to 10 points): Project provides broad, inclusive access to underserved populations; Clear explanation of how the underserved population will be ensured access to the project; The project engages the underserved population in project development, delivery and leadership.

Organizational Capacity and Project Partners (0 to 10 points): Accuracy and clarity of budget; Budget that demonstrates adequate resources to complete the project successfully; Alignment of organizational mission and experience to the project design; Project leads' skills and experience are well-aligned with the project, as evidenced by descriptions or attached bios; Evidence of the necessary experience, commitment and organizational stability to successfully complete the project by the applicant organization; Community support and commitment, as evidenced by a description of the roles of key partners and collaborators involved in the planning and implementation of the project; and Clear project outcomes and evidence that the project will benefit, strengthen and have impact on both local arts and the community.

​Applications must be submitted in the online grant system no later than 5:00 pm o​n the deadline date to be considered for review. Please see the Arts Build Communities Grant Guidelines for full information about this grant program including all the application questions.

​ ​ Arts Build Communities Program funds may not be used for the following: Events whose primary focus is to raise funds for a non-arts purpose; Services to entities located outside Oregon; ​Activities that take place outside the grant's defined activity dates; or Tuition assistance or scholarships for college, university or other degree-bearing courses of study.

If awarded, your award will likely be funded with Oregon State General Fund and National Endowment for the Arts Funding. There are allowable and unallowable cost associated with federal funds which are detailed in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, and can be found by at the following link CFR Part 200. Below is a summary of unallowable expenses.

Awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement (P. L. 111–88, October 30, 2009, Sec.

438 (2)). However, fees for artists or arts organizations who provide services or goods to you under the Federal award are allowable. Compensation to foreign nationals, including travel to or from foreign countries, when those expenditures are not in compliance with regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC Sanctions/National Endowment for the Arts guidelines) are unallowable.

Entertainment (2 CFR 200. 438). Entertainment, including amusement and social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, dinners, community gatherings, etc., and any associated costs including food, catering, alcoholic beverages, as well as costs for the planning, staffing, and supplies, for such, etc., are unallowable.

Specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment but have a programmatic purpose may be allowable if authorized with prior written approval. Funding cash reserve or endowment accounts or instruments is unallowable. Construction, purchase, or renovation costs of facilities or land (National Endowment for the Arts guidelines).

However, costs associated with predevelopment, design fees and community planning, as well as preparing exhibit space, setting a piece of public art, etc., may be allowable. Costs to bring a project into compliance with Federal award requirements (National Endowment for the Arts guidelines) The purchase of vehicles, including but not limited to cars, vans, buses, trucks, sport utility vehicles, etc. (200.

403-5), and National Endowment for the Arts guidelines). Home Office Workspace (2 CFR 200. 465(f)).

Rental of any property owned by any individuals or entities affiliated with the non-Federal entity for purposes such as a home office workspace is unallowable. Costs associated with subawards made to ineligible recipients are unallowable. Prohibited telecommunications and video surveillance services and equipment (2 CF200.

216 and . 471). You may not buy or obtain, nor extend or renew a contract for, covered telecommunications and video surveillance services and equipment that is prohibited by P.

L. 115-232, section 889. Visa costs paid to the U.S. Government (P.

L. 109-54, Title III General Provisions, Sec. 406); however, the cost of preparing material (legal documentation, etc.) for submission is allowable.

The purchase of vehicles, including but not limited to cars, vans, buses, trucks, sport utility vehicles, etc. Allowable or generally allowable. In general, most expenses except those above are allowable for Operating Support and Project Support. However, there are a few principles that need to be considered under Federal CFR, which are below.

​Conferences (2 CFR 200. 432). Costs of conferences (including meetings, retreats, seminars, symposia, workshops or other events whose primary purpose is dissemination of technical information) are still generally allowable, however: Conference sponsors must exercise discretion and judgment in ensuring that conference costs are appropriate, necessary, and managed in a manner that minimizes costs to the Federal portion of the award.

Costs associated with activities that generally occur at a closing meal, or a reception at the end of the working day, are unallowable. These activities also often have alcohol associated with them and/or are of a social nature, which are prohibited under Federal awards (see also Entertainment.) Fundraising (2 CFR 200.

442). A percentage of salaries and fringe benefits for development or fundraising staff, or fees to contractors who raise funds to implement this award/project during the period of performance may be allowable costs. However: Salaries or other costs for general fundraising activities or events, including those for donors, or that benefit the organization as a whole, are unallowable.

Costs associated with activities such as galas or parties, picnics or other community gatherings where food and beverages are provided, are unallowable (see also Entertainment.) Home Office Workspace (§200. 465(f)).

Rental of any property owned by any individuals or entities affiliated with the non-Federal entity for purposes such as a home office workspace is unallowable. Upon request, Arts Commission funding application materials will be made available in an alternate format such as Braille, large type or on audiotape. For applicants who are hearing‐impaired and require TDD assistance, please call 800-735‐2900.

Spanish-speaking applicants can contact Liora ​Sp​​onko, Senior Program Manager, liora. sponko@biz. oregon.

gov or 971-345-1641. ​​ How to recognize an official Oregon website Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites. Your browser is out-of-date!

It has known security flaws and may not display all features of this and other websites. Learn how