1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
Spring Cycle: March 27, 2026. Fall Cycle: July 2026. Contact foundation at least 6 weeks before deadline. New applicants must have work reviewed by staff first.
The Chicago Region Artistic Vitality Grants program is a grant from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation that funds small nonprofit arts organizations of all disciplines and traditions in Cook County, Illinois. The foundation prioritizes relationship-based grantmaking, requiring an in-person conversation with a program officer and attendance at a performance before new organizations can apply.
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities or fiscally sponsored organizations with annual expenses under $1 million that produce primarily in Cook County, with at least one full fiscal year and production season completed. Awards range from $2,500 to $13,500 based on annual expenses. The most recent application deadline was March 27, 2026.
Get alerted about grants like this
Save a search for “Gaylord And Dorothy Donnelley Foundation” or related topics and get emailed when new opportunities appear.
Search similar grants →Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Apply for Arts & Culture Grants in the Chicago Region | GDDF Apply for Chicago Region Artistic Vitality Grants We support small nonprofit arts organizations of all disciplines and traditions in Cook County. Relationships are at the core of our grantmaking process. Each grant starts with a conversation with a program officer so we can get to know you and your work.
Foundation staff must attend a performance before a new organization can begin the application process. See more in How To Apply . Be a 501(c)(3) public charity or have a fiscal sponsor that is.
Total annual expenses under $1 million. Produce primarily in Cook County, Illinois. Complete at least one full fiscal year of operations and one full production season.
Pay someone within your organization: staff and/or artists. Demonstrate or strongly promise artistic vitality. We consider how much programming an organization offers and the degree of accomplishment, factoring in the artistic discipline, budget size, and where an organization happens to be in its evolution.
Be in compliance with the Secretary of State.
Groups that primarily produce their work outside Cook County Organizations primarily focused on arts education or social service 100% volunteer organizations Amateur or community arts groups Stand-alone or one-time festivals, conferences, or other events Stand-alone publications, films/videos, or websites Religious activities, political campaigns, or legislative lobbying Endowments, capital campaigns, or debt reduction Groups that are legally, financially, or operationally part of a larger institution, e.g. the art department of a college Artistic Vitality Grant Deadlines 2025 Please contact us at least six weeks before the deadline to begin the application process.
Next grant deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026 Chicago Region Artistic Vitality Strategy Value Small Arts Organizations Chicago's arts ecosystem is vast and diverse, yet most nonprofit arts groups operate on small budgets. These small organizations produce the majority of local art, reaching nearly every neighborhood. They foster new talent, take risks, and inspire others.
However, these small groups often have limited access to grants. That’s why we support professional arts organizations of all disciplines and traditions with budgets under $1 million annually. Support With Few Restrictions Unrestricted general operating grants are vital for small arts organizations, offering the flexibility to invest where needed.
Multi-year support adds an extra layer of stability. Mastering an art takes years of training and discipline, as does running an arts organization. Creating efficient operations allows more focus on the art, which is why we provide free access to trainings and technical assistance in addition to our grants.
Organizations are eligible for grant amounts based on annual expenses for the most recently completed calendar or fiscal year. Check our Current Grantee Resources for information about deadlines, progress reports, and other commonly asked questions. If you still have questions about the forms or process, email grants@gddf.
org . New applicants must have their work reviewed by foundation staff before applying. We must see your work before we will make a grant.
Please reach out to Abigail Madden at abigail@gddf. org View a Sample Application Start typing and press enter to search
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: 501(c)(3) public charities or fiscally sponsored orgs with annual expenses under $1 million, producing primarily in Cook County, Illinois. Must have completed at least one full fiscal year and one full production season. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $2,500 to $13,500 based on annual expenses. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was March 27, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Chicago Region Artistic Vitality Grants is funded by Gaylord And Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Illinois. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
Jerome Early-Career Project Grants is a grant from Forecast Public Art, funded by the Jerome Foundation, that funds the creation of new public art projects by early-career artists based in Minnesota. Two grants of $8,000 each are awarded annually to support temporary or permanent public artworks anywhere in Minnesota. Projects may be supported by public or nonprofit agencies but private commissions are not eligible, and a secured project site is required at the time of application. The program places special emphasis on supporting BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, women artists, immigrant artists, rural artists, and artists with disabilities. Eligible applicants are Minnesota-based individual artists with 2–10 years of generative experience. The application deadline was October 15, 2025.
The Local Cultural Council Program is a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council distributing $1,000 to $10,000 through a statewide network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) representing every city and town in the Commonwealth. Each LCC awards funds based on local community cultural needs as assessed by council members. Eligible applicants include artists, nonprofits, schools, and organizations pursuing arts, humanities, and science projects. Applications are submitted directly to local councils and are typically due by October 16. Grants from most LCCs are reimbursement-based. Massachusetts Cultural Council funds the LCCs centrally, which then regrant to community projects.