1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
Creative Project Fund is a grant from the Illinois Arts Council that awards up to $12,000 to individual artists in Illinois through the Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF). The program recognizes artists as essential contributors to Illinois communities and the state's economy, investing in their professional growth and sustained practice.
Recipients are selected through a randomized lottery in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery, with allocations distributed by IAC region. Eligible applicants must be established Illinois residents with an active practice since at least 2023 and must not be currently enrolled in a degree-obtaining program. Applications are submitted through the IAC's Salesforce platform with an October 2026 deadline.
Get alerted about grants like this
Save a search for “Illinois Arts Council” 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.
Creative Accelerator Fund FY27 GOS applications are open until 3/18/26. All applicants must complete an application to be eligible. Find Your Regional Program Director FY25 Creative Accelerator Fund Grantees The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) provides crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity.
CAF recognizes and supports the vital role that artists play as builders and innovators in their communities. By investing in their practice and professional growth, the fund not only enriches the lives of artists but also encourages broader community engagement and investment, leading to a vibrant cultural landscape and fostering connections among residents. This is a $10,000 taxable award.
All applications must be submitted via the applicant's IAC Salesforce account . The deadline to apply will be in October 2026. Each IAC region has its own allocation and will select recipients from the applications submitted in that region.
Additionally, IAC has transitioned to compliance-based evaluation criteria and does not evaluate the quality of artistic work or artistic accomplishments. The CAF randomized applicant selection is done in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery. Individual artists with an active and sustained practice.
(see guidelines for full definition) At the time of application, artists must: Be established as an Illinois resident prior to October 14, 2025. Be able to include a work sample created by you during 2024-2026. Be able to include a work sample created by you during 2023 or prior.
Not be currently enrolled in a degree-obtaining program, including a college or university in any undergraduate or graduate program. Ph. D.
candidates need to have completed their coursework by the application deadline to be eligible. Read the Creative Accelerator Fund Guidelines . Use Chrome as your browser when working in Salesforce .
Once logged into Salesforce , complete updates to the Applicant Information tab first. Questions? Watch the webinar , participate in one of the drop-ins , or contact your Program Director.
Does the application demonstrate the individual artist has an active and sustained practice? Is the application complete? Is the artist eligible to receive funds from the State of Illinois?
The CAF randomized applicant selection is done in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery. Each IAC region has its own allocation and will select recipients from the applications submitted in that region. Webinars & Drop-In Sessions Creative Accelerator Fund Webinar A pre-recorded webinar is available that reviews application tips and best practices, including how to use the agency’s online Salesforce grant platform.
For a complete listing of IAC Workshops, visit the IAC's Workshops & Webinars page . How does IAC define an “Individual Artist with an active and sustained practice”? An individual working in arts, crafts, design, dance, digital media, film/video, literature, music, performance, photography, theater, visual arts, folk and traditional arts, or community-based arts.
By “active and sustained,” we mean that you are currently committing time to practicing your art form that you have practiced since at least 2023. You do not necessarily need to derive significant income from your work in the arts (though it’s also fine if you do). It is also acceptable if your art form has changed over those years.
The first submitted work sample needs to have been completed in 2024, 2025, or 2026. The second submitted work sample needs to have been completed in 2023 or prior. Who is not eligible to apply?
Individuals enrolled in any degree-obtaining program (including high school, bachelor, or master's-degree programs) at the time of application or during the award period. (Ph. D.
candidates need to have completed their course work by the application deadline to be eligible.) Organizations or schools. This award is for individuals only.
Prior CAF award recipients from FY25 or FY26. What if I need reasonable accommodations to apply? Reasonable accommodations for application procedures can be provided with a minimum request time of 3 business days before the deadline.
I have a question: who should I reach out to? If you have questions on the grant, please email your Program Director. You can use the Program Director finding tool if you are not sure who your Program Director is.
If you need Salesforce assistance, please email Jasmine Roberson at jasmine. roberson@illinois. gov .
115 S LaSalle St. , Suite 2202 Chicago, IL 60603-3804 ( map ) Toll-free: (800) 237-6994 Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Para información en Español llame al Illinois Arts Council al (312) 814-4993 Personal Identity Info Protection Policy Statewide Departments & Agencies
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Illinois residents (≥1 year), individuals, nonprofits, government branches. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Up to $12,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.