Arts Grants Program (Raleigh Arts Partners)

Arts Grants Program (Raleigh Arts Partners) is sponsored by City of Raleigh. The Arts Grant program provides funding to non-profit arts organizations, known as Raleigh Arts Partners, based on the recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission.

Based on recommendations by the Raleigh Arts Commission, the City of Raleigh awards arts grant funding annually to nonprofit organizations headquartered in Raleigh. Raleigh nonprofits may request one Raleigh Arts Commission Grant per year. These arts grants are the official vehicle for municipal support to the City's arts organizations.

A major example of the City Council's dedication to the cultural development of Raleigh, the program is currently supported by a $5 per capita allocation, which resulted in **grant awards totaling $1,864,297 for 2025-2026**. **The 2026–2027 arts grant application period is now closed. The 2027–2028 grant application period will be announced in fall 2026.

See the Timeline for application steps. ** Subject to eligibility requirements per grant category, any nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and whose corporate headquarters are located within the limits of the City of Raleigh may apply for an arts grant. **For complete eligibility requirements, please use the links below to read the guidelines for each grant category.

** Application requirements vary depending on the Raleigh Arts Commission Grant category. Use the links below to read 2026-2027 guidelines, which are for reference only—guidelines for 2027-2028 grant applications will be posted by the fall of 2026. For nonprofit organizations headquartered in Raleigh with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.

For nonprofit arts and cultural organizations headquartered in Raleigh that have successfully completed Program Support 1 grant projects for three of the past four years. For nonprofit arts organizations headquartered in Raleigh that have successfully completed Program Support 2 grant projects for three of the past four years.

| November | Required Grant Workshops | All organizations interested in applying for funding must attend at least one of the annual grant workshops scheduled for November. See the Workshops section for descriptions and workshop dates for 2026-2027 applications; workshop dates for 2027-2028 applications will be announced in fall 2026.

| | November to December | Arts Grant Director Meetings | Organizations new to the Raleigh Arts Grant Program and those interested in applying for a different type of funding than they have in the past must notify the Arts Grant Director of their intent to apply and schedule a meeting with her to discuss their proposals.

| Any Raleigh nonprofit interested in applying for a grant must attend one or more of the grant workshops listed below. ### 2026-2027 Arts Grant Workshops #### New Applicant Grant Workshop Raleigh nonprofits new to the Raleigh Arts Commission grant program are **required** to attend one of these two sessions (either in-person or virtual).

This workshop introduces potential applicants to the grant program and provides in-depth information about eligibility requirements, the application process, and what happens once a grant has been awarded. * **Date:** Saturday, Nov. 1, 11 a.

m. - noon * **Location:**Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson Street, Raleigh, NC 27610 * **Date:** Wednesday, Nov. 5, 5-6 p.

m. * **Location:**This workshop will be held virtually on Zoom. Register for a New Applicant Grant Workshop") #### Program Support 1 Grant Workshop All new Program Support 1 applicants and grant writers are required to attend the Program Support 1 Grant Workshop.

The workshop will walk participants through completing the application forms and writing the grant narrative, as well as strategies for success. Be sure to read the grant guidelines and other application information ahead of time. Participants are encouraged to bring all their questions to this session.

* **Date:** Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a. m.

- noon * **Location:**Walnut Creek Wetland Center, 950 Peterson Street, Raleigh, NC 27610 * **Date:**Wednesday, Nov. 12, 4-6 p. m.

* **Location:**Kiwanis Neighborhood Center, 2525 Noble Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 Register for a Program Support 1 Grant Workshop") #### How to Write It Right - New Grant Writers Workshop This workshop is required for returning Program Support 2 and Operating Support applicant organizations whose development staff/grant writers are writing the application for the first time and for returning applicants applying in a new grant category.

Workshops will walk participants through completing the application forms and writing the narrative, as well as strategies for success. Participants are encouraged to read the grant guidelines and other application information ahead of time then bring their questions to the workshop. **Workshop Information:** * **Date:** Friday, Nov.

14, 10 a. m.

- noon * **Location:**Halifax Community Center, 1023 Halifax Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 Register for a How to Write It Right - New Grant Writers Workshop") #### Returning Arts Partner Grant Workshops Designed for City of Raleigh Arts Commission grant writers who have successfully written these applications at least three times before, these workshops will provide information about the new online grant application process and give returning applicants an opportunity to ask questions about all aspects of the funding process.

These workshops are required, and participants must have written a Raleigh Arts Commission grant application within the past three years to attend.

Currently funded organizations with development staff/grant writers for whom this will be the first time writing a Raleigh Arts Commission grant application should register for either the Program Support 1 grant workshop or the "How to Write It Right" grant workshop (Program Support 2 and Operating Support applicants only) instead. **Program Support 1 and 2 Session:** * **Date:** Monday, Nov. 17, 4-6 p.

m. * **Location:**This workshop will be held virtually on Zoom. **Operating Support Session:** * **Date:** Tuesday, Nov.

18, 10 a. m. - noon * **Location:**Halifax Community Center, 1023 Halifax Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 Register for Returning Arts Partner Workshops") _The Raleigh Music Collective, Youth Music Day 2025 | Photograph by Gustavo Soto_ Raleigh Arts Partners are organizations that receive funding from the Raleigh Arts Commission Grants.

For 2025-2026, 35 nonprofit organizations are receiving City arts funding. **Learn more about the****Raleigh Arts Partners**