Creative Support Organization Grant

Creative Support Organization Grant is sponsored by New Mexico Economic Development Department's Creative Industries Division. Grants to organizations supporting creative industries in New Mexico.

Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities - NM Economic Development Department Ready to grow in New Mexico? Have comments or questions? We’re here to help.

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Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities Creative Support Organization Grant Overview Webinar: Monday, October 5, 12 PM Register here Application Period: October 5-30, 2026 This funding opportunity is designed for organizations with a demonstrated history of impactful work in supporting creative entrepreneurs and advancing creative industry development across New Mexico.

This includes organizations that support creative industry companies and workers. Whether building networks, offering technical assistance, providing creative business incubation, or strengthening regional creative ecosystems, this grant supports continued leadership in growing New Mexico’s creative economy. Anticipated awards for up to $62,500.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, MainStreet organizations, Nations, Tribes, Pueblos, councils of governments, educational institutions, and other political subdivisions of the state, excluding local, county, municipal governments, and state agencies.

Projected program timeline: Grant Application Opens: Oct 5, 2026 Grant Application Closes: Oct 30, 2026, at 6 pm Review Period: Nov 2026 –Jan 2027 Projected Project Period: Mar 2027–Feb 2028 Business Development & Expansion Grant Application Period – December 1-31, 2026 Overview webinar: Friday, December 4, at 10 AM Register here This program supports existing creative businesses with at least three years of operation.

Eligible businesses must: Have a minimum of three-year history of operations Be a for-profit entity in good standing This grant is available to for-profit, legal entities only. Secretary-of-State data must show a minimum of three years of history prior to application opening date. Sole-proprietor applications are not accepted.

If the legal entity recently reorganized, applicants are required to submit legal documentation such as federal or state tax information, Secretary-of-State records, or prior registration.

Preferential points will be given to businesses with fewer than ten employees, including part-time staff, and to businesses located in rural areas (outside of the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe) per statutory language requiring that 50% of funding go to rural and underserved businesses.

Eligible businesses are also identified in the grant FAQ, division statute by industry area, and corresponding NAICS codes available in Appendix C on page 206 of the 2024 Division Study . inventory – no more than 30% of the total funding request can be consumable inventory tied to orders, workshops, projects, etc., and be used during the grant period.

See the FAQ on allowable uses for the Business Development & Expansion Grant program below marketing, promotion, digital presence small infrastructure improvements that can be completed within 12 months technology and software improvements capacity for impact measurement, engagement, evaluation, and economic contribution Non-allowable use: Hiring of full-time personnel Prospective applicants will be asked to describe their plans to leverage potential grant funding for greater returns on investment.

Anticipated awards up to $25,000, subject to change. Review details on the program uses in the FAQ section below. Please note applicants may only apply for one cycle for this program per fiscal year (July 1– June 30).

This grant is available to for-profit, legal entities only, sole-proprietor applications are not accepted. The only exception is, if the business recently reorganized to an LLC, they are required to submit legal supporting documentation that proves the business was in operation before the registration shown by secretary of state such as federal or state tax information, or prior registration.

Projected program timeline: Grant application opens: Dec 1, 2026 Application coses: Dec 31, 2026, at 6 pm Review period: Jan–Mar 2027 Projected project period: May 2027–Apr 2028 Creative Industries Public Development Projects Grant Application Period – August 3-28, 2026 Overview Webinar: https://youtu.

be/m-Y906pTjXA The Creative Industries Division (CID) invites county, municipal and Tribal governments and state agencies to submit public development project concepts that support creative industries in New Mexico. This call builds on the 2024 Creative Industries Division Study and the division’s initial funding of 18 public projects statewide . This is the grant application.

All eligible applicants are required to have submitted a Letter of Intent during the pre-application phase, which ended on June 30.

Strengthen local creative industries Support small creative businesses and entrepreneurs Build or improve public infrastructure connected to creative industries (see infrastructure uses table in FAQ below) Support workforce development initiatives Expand economic opportunity through creative industries in rural and underserved communities A narrative (maximum 1,200 words) Proposed timeline (1–2 years) Budget (Total project cost, requested funding amount – maximum funding ceiling $150,000.

00 not including estimated matching financial support or in-kind support) Up to three letters of support Projected program timeline: Grant application opens: Aug 3, 2026 Grant application closes: Aug 28, 2026, at 6 pm Review period: Sep-Nov 2026 Projected project period: Jan 2027–Jun 2028 Apply using the blue button at the top of this page.

INACTIVE: State Authorized Arts and Cultural District (ACD) Pilot Grant Program This program is currently inactive. A one-time initiative aimed at demonstrating the economic potential and cultural impact of directly funding state-authorized ACDs.

The program aims to provide catalytic resources for ACDs to implement high-impact creative industry programming, drive local economic growth, and build the case for sustained investment through a dedicated fund outside the Creative Industries Division. Anticipated awards up to $100,000, subject to change. Application Period: Aug.

4-29, 2025 (closed) Review Period: Sept. 2025 Processing Period: Oct. -Nov.

2025 Project Period: Dec. 2025 – Dec. 2026 Grant program note: Creative Industries Division grant programs, eligibility requirements, award amounts, eligible expenses, and application timelines are subject to change by fiscal year.

Updated guidelines and application materials will be posted prior to each grant cycle. Applicants are encouraged to review the most current program information before applying. The division will offer an informational webinar for each grant program during the application period.

The webinar will be recorded and available to view on the agency’s YouTube Page . Creative Industry Grants FAQ Does my business qualify as creative industries?

New Mexico statute identifies “creative industry” as a business, organization, or person engaged in creative enterprises in the following industry areas: Performing, Visual, & Literary Arts Entertainment, Media, Information & Broadcasting Applied Arts & Design (including Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Museum & Gallery professions) Promotion, Marketing, Graphics & Industrial Design Technology & computer system design, software design, coding & digital media Crafts & Artisan Professions (including metal, wood, glass, ceramics, paper, printing, textile, and culinary arts) “Creative Industry” does not mean a business, organization, or person engaged in creative enterprises involving film.

Film means “filming activity supported by the New Mexico film division of the department”(New Mexico Film Office). See Creative Industry Cluster details and corresponding NAICS Codes on page 206 of the 2024 Creative Industries Division Study . Who can apply for creative industry division grants?

Creative Industries Division Grants are awarded to legal entities, not individuals. Legal entities include state, counties, municipalities or other political subdivisions of the state, Indian nations, tribes or pueblos, and for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Sole-proprietorships and individuals are not eligible for any grants.

Individual grants may have varying applicant pools, but they are still restricted to this broader group as per statutory requirements. Are there taxes or fees associated with grant funding? Grantee recipients are responsible for any applicable state and federal taxes, including Gross Receipts Tax, and will receive a 1099 from the state.

Tax-exempt entities are excluded. How do you determine who receives funding? Final scores are based on the scoring rubric provided in the respective grant application.

Each grant program is scored competitively by scoring committees that include division and department staff, division ambassadors and potentially others, all of whom are required to sign a conflict-of-interest agreement.

In accordance with statute, at least fifty percent (50%) of all funds awarded from the Creative Industries Fund shall be awarded to projects or programs located in rural or underserved communities, as defined by the division. What types of programs and projects do you fund?

Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects or programs that demonstrate the potential to stimulate community or economic development through creative industries and demonstrate or support one or more of the following statutory requirements.

Broad local support, including in-kind or financial support from local governments and surrounding communities or neighborhoods Assistance to small businesses with fewer than ten employees Expansion of existing creative industries The promotion of inclusion and diversity How can I get help or ask questions about the program?

Questions related to grants can be asked & answered during the grant overview webinar, usually the Friday of the week of a grant announcement. Questions permitted during grant cycles, outside of the overview webinar, will only be considered if they are related to application accessibility or other technical questions not associated with the content of perspective responses, applications or proposals.

Division staff cannot aid anyone directly in the application process of an active grant or answer questions about the content of prospective responses, applications or proposals. Other questions related to grants must be submitted before or after the grant period or during a grant overview webinar at info@edd. newmexico.

gov . How long will it take to receive grant funds? It can take at least 8-16 weeks or more to process grants and disperse payments, depending on the communication with the division and the internal state processes to evaluate, check and confirm information.

Sometimes processing time can take longer than expected if the internal finance team, or other state agency is backlogged with other applications and review of documentation. The agency runs numerous grant programs that must be approved by other agencies, including the Department of Finance Authority and Taxation and Revenue. Grant recipient response times and incomplete tax information can also cause processing setbacks.

W-9’s, which are required, can take several weeks to process through respective agencies. When do applications close? All grant applications close at 6 pm Mountain Time on the specified date.

If you are having technical difficulties with your application, please reach out to us at least 8 hours before the application closes so we can address any issues while staff are available. If applications are received after the posted date and “end of day” time (6 pm MT), the application is deemed invalid and will not be evaluated. Can my organization apply for multiple grant programs through the division?

Applicants may apply for separate, distinct programs in the division, as long as the project scopes do not interfere or overlap in intent, budget, funds, execution or uses.

Grant awardees may NOT apply for an additional grant from the same program if they are still within a project period for the initial grant, i.e. awardees who received funding in 2025, who do not submit a final report until June 30, 2026, cannot apply for additional funding from the same program before June 30, 2026, or before the final report due date. Are capital/infrastructure important expenses allowed for any grant opportunities?

Some of our grants include infrastructure and will have different improvement funding. Allowable uses for individual programs will be articulated in the respective grant application. Do you support new organizations or does the organization need to be established?

All organizations must have a three-year minimum history of operations, programming and/or services at the time of application. Please review grant-specific guidelines for additional information. Are there any tips for new applicants?

Read the guidelines for each individual grant in full before beginning an application. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and submit an application. Be specific and be clear.

Successful proposals address the grant program requirements and goals. Be authentic. Celebrate what makes your proposal unique.

Avoid jargon and unedited AI-generated responses in your narrative. Prepare your responses in a word processing application (MS Word or Google Docs) before inputting your narrative into the online grants management system. Check the online application for specific instructions about uploads and documentation that are not detailed in the guidelines.

Can my film company or production company qualify for division programs? The division does not support businesses, organizations, or people engaged in enterprises involving film. Film refers to any “filming activity supported by the New Mexico film division of the department,” (the New Mexico Film Office).

Any business receiving/reporting a tax incentive in the most recent tax year to Taxation and Revenue and/or the NM Film Office is not eligible for division programs. Can my project or proposal be for one specific industry? All projects/program participants must make a sincere effort to include participants rooted in a wide swath of creative industries and not overly favor certain specific industries.

Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter Manufacturing Other Snack Food Manufacturing Coffee and Tea Manufacturing Spice and Extract Manufacturing Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Crafts and artisan professions Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine Embroidery Crafts and artisan professions Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills Crafts and artisan professions Crafts and artisan professions Crafts and artisan professions Textile Bag and Canvas Mills Crafts and artisan professions All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills Crafts and artisan professions Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors Crafts and artisan professions Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Crafts and artisan professions All Other Miscellaneous Wood Product Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing Information and broadcasting Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) Commercial Screen Printing Support Activities for Printing Crafts and artisan professions Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass Crafts and artisan professions Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware (except Precious) Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media Crafts and artisan professions Upholstered Household Furniture Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions, performing arts Musical Instrument Manufacturing Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Crafts and artisan professions Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Electronics and Appliance Retailers Crafts and artisan professions Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers Crafts and artisan professions Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers Performing arts, media, entertainment Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Book Retailers and News Dealers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers Museum and gallery professions Motion Picture and Video Production Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services Promotion, marketing, performing arts, entertainment, media Information and broadcasting Information and broadcasting Promotion, marketing, media Directory and Mailing List Publishers Promotion, marketing, literary arts, media Software design, coding and digital media Information and broadcasting Radio Broadcasting Stations Information and broadcasting Television Broadcasting Stations Information and broadcasting, media Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers Applied arts and design, including architecture Landscape Architectural Services Applied arts and design, including architecture Applied arts and design, including architecture Graphics and industrial design Industrial Design Services Graphics and industrial design Technology and computer system design, graphics and industrial design Other Specialized Design Services Software design, coding and digital media Custom Computer Programming Services Technology and computer system design Computer Systems Design Services Information and broadcasting Marketing Consulting Services Information and broadcasting Environmental Consulting Services Technology and computer system design Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services Information and broadcasting Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities Public Relations Agencies Promotion, marketing, media Promotion, marketing, media Promotion, marketing, media Promotion, marketing, media Advertising Material Distribution Services Other Services Related to Advertising Photography Studios, Portrait Museum and gallery professions, promotion, marketing Convention and Visitors Bureaus Promotion, marketing, entertainment Convention and Trade Show Organizers Visual arts, craft and artisan professions Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters Performing arts, entertainment Musical Groups and Artists Other Performing Arts Companies Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities Promotion, marketing, entertainment Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers Museum and gallery professions Museum and gallery professions Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars What are the allowable uses for Business Development & Expansion Program funds?

FAQ CID Business Development & Expansion Program Uses – Allowable and Ineligible Guidance on allowable uses for the Creative Industries Division Business Development & Expansion Grant, including definitions, boundaries, examples, and caps where applicable. 1. Inventory (Consumable Only) Consumable inventory directly tied to fulfilling orders, workshops, production, or project delivery during the grant period.

Inventory must be used within the 12-month project window and cannot be stockpiled for future use. Total inventory is capped at 30%. Equipment refers to durable tools, machinery, production devices, or specialty items that directly enable business expansion and increased production capacity.

Leases are not covered; only equipment purchased outright is eligible. Vehicles or large machinery must be clearly tied to business development and expansion. Vehicles may be eligible only when: They are special-purpose vehicles directly tied to creative business activities.

They meet the same criteria as equipment: tied to expansion, increased access, or service delivery. 3. Marketing, Promotion, and Digital Presence Activities that expand visibility, reach, sales, and brand positioning.

Examples include website improvements, digital content creation, paid advertising, branding updates, and improvements to packaging design. These activities must support measurable business growth within the grant period. 4.

Small Infrastructure Improvements Minor physical improvements to creative production or retail/studio spaces that improve operations, safety, or customer accessibility. Must be able to be completed within the 12-month grant period. Examples include basic interior improvements, display installations, minor flooring, lighting upgrades, or accessibility enhancements.

Equipment such as kilns or fabrication tools fall under the equipment category, not infrastructure. 5. Technology and Software Improvements Technology upgrades that improve production, customer management, operations, or creative output.

Eligible uses include point-of-sale systems, accounting software, customer relationship management tools, design software, and inventory management systems. 6. Capacity for Impact Measurement, Engagement, Evaluation, and Economic Contribution Tools or systems that help businesses track and measure economic impact, customer engagement, production cycles, or business outcomes.

Examples include analytic tools, data dashboards, survey systems, evaluation frameworks, and software that improves data-driven decision-making. Summary Table of Allowable Uses Requirements / Boundaries Materials used during the grant period tied to production or workshops. Must be consumable; used within 12 months; 30% cap.

Raw materials, packaging supplies. Durable tools, machinery, devices for production expansion. No leases; must be purchased outright; tied to business development.

Production tools, fabrication equipment, specialty machinery. Visibility, branding, and customer engagement activities. Must support business growth; completed within grant period.

Website updates, digital ads, branding assets. Small Infrastructure Improvements Minor physical enhancements to workspace or customer areas. Must be small scale; completed within 12 months; no major construction.

Lighting upgrades, accessibility improvements, display installation. Digital systems improving operations or creative output. Must support business capacity or efficiency.

Point-of-sale systems, design software, CRM tools. Impact & Evaluation Tools Systems that measure business outcomes or engagement. Must improve data-driven decision-making or reporting.

Analytics dashboards, survey tools, evaluation software. What are the allowable uses for Infrastructure Program funds? FAQ CID Infrastructure Program Uses – Allowable and Ineligible What is creative infrastructure?

The spaces, facilities, physical improvements, tools, and built environments that allow creative people, businesses, and public entities to produce, collaborate, teach, perform, exhibit, and innovate.

This includes everything from adaptive reuse of historic spaces, renovations, creative business workspaces, studios, maker spaces, cultural venues that incorporate creative activity, digital production infrastructure (non-film related), and public spaces that support creative ecosystem development.

Public Development Projects (Tribal/State/Local): Renovation and adaptive reuse of public creative facilities, such as the theaters, makers spaces, libraries, museums and more. Nonprofit CSO Projects: Creative ecosystem infrastructure such as creative business incubation systems.

For‑Profit Business Development & Expansion Projects: Small infrastructure upgrades like HVAC installation, or workspace renovations that expand creative business capacity. Tribal/State/Local Government Public Development Projects Creative economy infrastructure; public-facing creative infrastructure; adaptive reuse; activation elements; project components completed within CID timeline.

Must not be sole funding source; can gap-fill larger capital projects with secured co-funding; no land acquisition. Nonprofits – Creative Support Organization (CSO) Grants Technology upgrades; digital ecosystem tools; non-capital infrastructure; program delivery infrastructure. Capital construction prohibited; operating costs must tie directly to project.

For-Profits – Business Development & Expansion Grants Small infrastructure improvements; production upgrades; technology improvements. Major construction prohibited; no full-time personnel hiring. General Operating Expenses Long-term salaries, leases, or admin costs not tied directly to the proposed project.

Large-Scale Public Infrastructure Eligible for Capital Outlay Projects above $150,000 or requiring more than 24 months; CID may only contribute as gap funding, not sole source. CID cannot fund upfront land purchase; can support creative build-on components after acquisition is secured. Regranting Funds, Stipends CID funds cannot be regranted to individuals or businesses; funds must be used for direct contracted services.

This includes the use of stipends for participation. Any fee, or payment for services rendered to creative professionals shall be invoiced accordingly for services or goods provided and should be identified as formal payment for a service or product provided. Stipends are not permitted.

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