CERF+’s Get Ready Grants Program

CERF+’s Get Ready Grants Program is sponsored by CERF+. Provides grants to craft artists for studio safeguards and emergency preparedness.

Apply for a $1,000 grant to help safeguard your studio, protect your career, and prepare for emergencies. CERF+ offers Get Ready Grants, providing craft artists with grants up to $1,000 for activities to safeguard their studios, protect their practices, and prepare for emergencies. Priority is given to applicants that have been underrepresented in the craft community including BIPOC and folk/traditional artists.

Eligible activities include studio safeguards, emergency/disaster readiness, business protection and support, and practice protection. To qualify for a Get Ready Grant, applicants need to be craft artists who are 18 years of age or older. They must have been living and working in the U.S. or U.S. Territories for the past two years.

Additionally, they should not have received a Get Ready Grant in 2025. Grant funds must be utilized within six months and recipients must document and share project outcomes with CERF+. 2026/2027 Get Ready Grant Cycle Coming Soon!

Join our email list for updates > Meenakshi Jha used her Get Ready Grant to upgrade her home studio with more ergonomic furniture, in addition to a power tool kit and electric scissors. “This grant made my working conditions better and safer. ” Cynthia Alberto received a Get Ready Grant to hire a website designer for her online portfolio, and a 3D rendering artist to help her draw a future project.

“The website is a long term investment in my career. ” Prepare for Emergencies and Safeguard Your Studio Click to expand toggles. All grant information is also available as downloadable PDFs below.

Eligible Get Ready Grant Activities Examples of eligible activities include: Upgrading studio and/or equipment to improve studio health and safety Purchasing safer materials and supplies Purchasing a stronger tent, display wall, or weights for participating in outdoor fairs Emergency/Disaster Readiness Emergency tools, supplies and equipment Upgrading studio to reduce disaster risk Theft protection measures Business Protection & Support Documentation and archiving Business planning for continuity and contingencies Creating secure business record-keeping systems Tutorials or training in e-commerce Professional photography of their craft portfolio Employing the services of website designers Short-term support for childcare to allow studio work time Legacy or estate planning Financial planning services Documentation or digitization of artwork and/or related records Enrolling in a professional development course or workshop to enhance career protection Art making projects are not eligible for Get Ready Grants.

Only projects for safeguarding studios, protecting studios, implementing other safety measures, or business or career protection will be considered eligible. Be an artist working in a craft discipline Be 18 years of age or older Have been residing and working in the U.S. or U.S. Territories for the last two years Not have received a Get Ready Grant in 2025 What is a "craft" discipline?

CERF+ broadly defines eligible artists to include those who create work using historically recognized craft materials such as clay, glass, textiles, wood, metal; as well as those whose work expands on these historical definitions through the incorporation of non-traditional materials, new technologies and experimental approaches.

CERF+ is equally committed to the preservation of folk and traditional arts, as rooted in, and reflective of, the cultural life of a community. We recognize and support the ways that information is often passed on from one generation to the next and celebrate practices rooted within a common ethnic heritage, geographic region, religious affiliation or occupation.

CERF+ serves artists at all stages of their practices and seeks to support people from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. Eligibility is not determined solely by the amount of money an artist generates from their work and we recognize that many individuals have practices that rely on multiple streams of income and financial support.

Craft objects may be functional or nonfunctional, but both types derive part of their meaning from their association with traditional functional forms such as chairs, vessels, garments or implements, and/or their association with cultural tradition.

Qualities that contribute to the success of a craft object include the skill of the maker, the use of the material, the refinement of the design, the originality of expression, its cultural significance – or all of these. We do not support art practices that include hate speech or hate symbols.

To apply for a Get Ready Grant, select the “Apply Now” button on this page and follow the directions to complete the online application and upload the required supporting documentation. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The CERF+ staff is available to answer questions.

Please contact [email protected] or (802) 229-2306.

Required supporting documentation A written narrative (400 word maximum) or short video that includes: A description of the proposed project An explanation of how this project will support you in safeguarding your studio, preparing for emergencies, or protecting your business and practice An explanation of how the readiness activity will be continued after the grant funds have been expended, if applicable Videos can be included as a YouTube or Vimeo video link in the application form.

Maximum of 3 minutes. Documentation of craft artwork and recent engagement or participation in the community: 5 high resolution images of your artwork created within the past three years (. gif, .

jpeg, or . tiff format) A photograph of yourself making craft art in your studio, at your booth at a show, teaching, or otherwise engaged in your artistic practice. If you are wearing a mask in your best portrait, please include a second image where we can see your face.

A resume or narrative detailing your accomplishments as an artist working in a craft discipline. If applicable, the resume should list exhibitions and shows; publications featuring your work; awards; education; teaching experiences; and/or any other accomplishments that will help us evaluate your practice as a professional artist working in a craft discipline.

A list of estimated expenses to complete the project, specifying which expenses the grant will fund and the sources of funds for any other expenses. Grant selection will be made through a lottery.

Applications will be evaluated to determine whether the applicant: has proposed an eligible and feasible project has included a budget that accounts for any additional costs has included a plan for sharing their project Priority will be given to applications from people who identify in the global majority or as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)* and folk and traditional artists.

CERF+ verifies artists' identification through a third party system called ID Pal to ensure that an individual is who they claim to be by confirming their information against independent, trusted data sources. This process is crucial for preventing fraud, meeting regulatory compliance, and building trust in Any application submitted is not considered complete until the third party verification process has been completed.

Individuals who have not lived and worked in the U.S. or U.S. territories for the last two years. Individuals who are younger than 18 years old. Individuals who are not craft artists as outlined in the Eligibility requirements (see Ineligible artistic practices below).

Organizations, collectives, or groups. Ineligible artistic practices Because all artistic practices are not eligible for funding through this program, visit this link for additional resources you can explore.

Painting, poured paintings, and spray paint art Drawing, illustration, and graphic design Illustration including comic strips, graphic novels, and comic book art Jewelry design: jewelry that is primarily assembled from parts that are factory-made or made by third parties with no significant hand alteration and transformation of the items. Performing arts practices such as dance, music, and theater.

Set design and related design or building elements. Literary arts practices such as fiction/nonfiction, journalism, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, storytelling, biographies, copywriting, blogging, and academic writing. Consumable Items: Food, beverages, soap, candles, oils/essences, flower arrangements, makeup, hairstyling, and nails.

Objects made from plans, kits and patterns that are manufactured or designed by someone other than the maker. Objects made from manufactured or purchased molds and casts. Art that is factory-made or made by third parties without significant hand alteration and transformation of the items.

Clothing design: garments that are factory-made or made by third parties or that are only slightly altered with no handiwork such as embroidery, applique, or beadwork.

Clothing that is designed by the applicant, but constructed by contractors Premade T-shirts or other garments that have been silkscreened or embellished with downloaded or iron-on designs Artificial flower arrangements and wreaths that are assembled from store-bought elements.

Downloaded Visual Art Forms designed by someone other than the applicant such as: 3D printing with downloaded models Fuse bead/meltable bead art with downloaded patterns such as Perler, Melty, and Hama beads Computer-controlled plotting machines such as Cricut and Glowforge with downloaded designs Repair, conservation, or restoration of antiques, furniture, cars, or art objects.

Architecture or Home Renovation Picture Framing or Canvas Stretching Supplies for art making projects In order to be eligible for this cycle, you must not have received a Get Ready Award in 2025. Grant selection will be made through a lottery.

Applications will be evaluated to determine whether the applicant: has proposed an eligible and feasible project has included a budget that accounts for any additional costs has included a plan for sharing their project Priority will be given to eligible artists who have traditionally been underserved by the grantmaking community including people of color and folk and traditional artists. Check the FAQs below.

If you believe you may be eligible for CERF+ Emergency Relief, please Apply . If you have additional questions, please contact us . Customer service hours: 10am - 4pm EST, Monday through Friday Frequently Asked Questions Who is eligible for the Get Ready Grant?

The Get Ready grant program provides $1,000 grants to individual craft artists who are U.S.-based, aged 18 and older to conduct activities that will help safeguard their studios, protect their careers and prepare for emergencies. Do I have to make a living as a craft artist to be considered eligible? No, your income can come from any source.

However, we do look for active and recent engagement or participation in the craft community and a public-facing artistic practice. Do I have to complete a final grant report if awarded? No, we do not require a final grant report.

We will send a brief survey regarding your experience if awarded, but it is not required. Is my grant from CERF+ considered taxable income? No. Get Ready grants from CERF+ are considered non-taxable grants/gifts.

The IRS does not require us to provide a Form 1099. We recommend that grant recipients consult with an accountant to ensure you are compliant in reporting taxable income. Can I apply more than once?

Yes, you can reapply for the Get Ready Grant if: You did not receive a get ready grant in 2025 The proposal is different from your previously funded application If I receive a Get Ready Grant can I still apply for Emergency Relief? Yes, you can still apply for the Emergency Relief Grant or other CERF+ grants that may be available.

A very good friend of mine received emergency funding from CERF+ several years ago when a neighbor’s booth set up at a craft show has… We never think we will be the ones that may have to ask for help when an unfortunate accident happens that takes us out of… I am forever grateful that CERF+ was there for me when I needed them with a quick and easy loan that helped me get through… Get Ready to Protect Yourself Apply for a $1,000 grant to help safeguard your studio, protect your career, and prepare for emergencies.