Community Arts Grants

Community Arts Grants is sponsored by Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO). FAFO's Community Arts Grants support artists, the arts, and cultural activities of organizations that serve Marion County, Florida residents. Projects must be based in Marion County.

FAFO Community Arts Grants FAFO’s Community Arts Grants support artists, the arts, and cultural activities of organizations that serve Marion County residents. Examples of previously funded projects include mural creation, art supply kits during COVID, sustaining civic theatre performances, & providing supplies for a drum program. Applications Closed Until July 1, 2026 Thank you for your interest in applying for a grant from FAFO!

Our grant application window is closed and we are no longer accepting new submissions at this time. The next application cycle will open on July 1, 2026. We encouraged you to check back then for updated guidelines and deadlines.

Thank you for your patience!

Grant Application Information Grants are awarded based on the following criteria: Artistic and/or Cultural and Programmatic Merit Community Benefit and Accessibility Managerial and Fiscal Competence Must be one of the following to apply: individual artists (minimum of one-year residency in Marion County) a local nonprofit focused on the arts (minimum of one year as a 501c3 organization) an educational arts program, a project focused on forwarding the mission of providing arts to Marion County.

Project must be based in Marion County. There are rare cases where the committee can remove this requirement. Applicant has not received a FAFO Community Arts Grant with in the last 12 months of the grant request.

A final report for the FAFO Community Arts Grant will be sent to FAFO within 60 days following the activity. The format of the report may vary according to the activity. FAFO will provide the format of the required report.

Failure to provide the post activity will make the recipient ineligible for future grants. Grants range from $100 to $5,000. Any grants over $2,000 may require asmall presentation to the board in person or over video.

The FAFO logo must be included in all marketing materials and in any signage along with an acknowledgement of the FAFO grant. FAFO logo must be obtained directly from the FAFO administrator only.

Offsetting costs for regular salary or substitute worker to enable other work to continue General operating expenses or capital expenditure Matching funds for other grants Fundraising scholarships or prizes for events Funding for pursuit of an academic degree Projects that are religious/political in nature including lobbying or attempting to influence federal, state, or local legislation Any projects which are restricted to private or exclusive participation, which shall include restricting access to programs based on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, religion, handicap, age, or marital status.

Applications will be accepted three times annually. There will be three windows available for submission: October 1st – January 15th, award notifications by February 1st February 1st –May 15th, award notifications by June 1st June 1st – September 15th, award notifications by October 1st The grant committee will meet at the end of January, May, and September to review any grant submissions during that period.

All applicants will be notified of their award status by the 1 st of the month after the window closes. The grant committee consists of board members of FAFO. The committee will evaluate each application and recommend funding based on both the available funds from FAFO and the community impact of the application.

In the event funds are not available, the application window will be closed for submissions. In some cases, follow-up questions will be asked, or an interview will be needed to help the committee understand the application. If approved by the committee, the grant request will be presented to the FAFO board for final funding approval.

(Note: Not all projects will be approved by the committee for funding). Award Notification and Distribution of Funds Community Arts funding is subject to the availability of funds from FAFO. All applicants will receive award notifications and feedback via email.

Successful applicants may receive full or partial funding for their project. FAFO provided matching funds to assist MAX in reaching its capital campaign goal. Funding enabled MAX to transform Ocala Union Station into a hub for the community’s visual artists by providing studios and a creative space for the artists to collaborate and grow in their endeavors.

Sculpture Walk at Tuscawilla Park FAFO purchased “Lofted” by John Gamache and sponsored “Shanti" by Claudia Jane Klein. FAFO was a major sponsor of OCT"s 79 at 70 to celebrate its 70th year. Boys and Girls Club Drumming FAFO provided funds for this program.

For the past 8 years, FAFO has provided a Sponsorship for this program and will continue for many more. FAFO was a major participant in the funding and selection process for a mural on the Ed Croskey Recreation Center. Mural at a Domestic Violence Shelter FAFO funded a mural in the recreation room of the shelter.

FAFO regularly supports Kids Tag Art, MCA, Applaud The Arts, First Friday Art Walk and more.