General Operating Support (ArtsWA)

General Operating Support (ArtsWA) is sponsored by ArtsWA (Washington State Arts Commission). Supports the ongoing operations of arts organizations and fiscally sponsored arts groups in Washington state, focusing on cultural equity, expanding the creative economy, and supporting arts participation.

General Operating Support Grant: Sustaining - ArtsWA Nikki Suyama as Sacagawea in Andrew Creech's “Journey West,” a satirical musical comedy about Lewis and Clark's famous expedition. Photo courtesy of Theatre Off Jackson. FY26-FY27 General Operating Support for Midsize d Organizations For Small and Midsized Groups This grant is now closed.

General Operating Support for Midsized Organizations offers two-year funding to arts, heritage, and culture organizations for general operating expenses. These small two-year grants support organizations in providing public arts and culture experiences. Funding amounts: Applicants can request up to $6,000 split across two years ($3,000 x 2) for general operating expenses.

If awarded, grant amounts may vary depending on available funds. Watch the March 10 webinar here . Notice to applicants: Recently, we updated our guidelines for our grant programs.

Initially, we had intended to prioritize areas outside of King County, the City of Tacoma, and the City of Olympia. We have removed that priority. Below are the only priorities we are applying during the current funding cycle.

What is priority funding? Some areas in the state consistently receive less funding than others or are economically depressed parts of our state. To help sustain those areas, we prioritize funding them during each ArtsWA funding cycle.

Businesses located in counties identified by the state as a distressed area: Clallam, Cowlitz, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Yakima. Organizations serving constituencies consisting of 25% or more of an underserved* group.

* “Underserved” means populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, historical exclusion and marginalization due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economics, disability, or other social or institutionally imposed barriers.

Application open: March 3, 2025 – April 7, 2025, until 5:00PM Monday, March 10, 2025 at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, register here Tuesday , March 2 5 , 2025 at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, register here . Office hours starting Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, register here .

Notification of application results: by the last week of May 2025 Funds can cover expenses for the period between July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 Fiscal Year 2026 Final Report due July 31, 2026 Fiscal Year 2027 Final Report due July 31, 2027 Is your organization eligible? Is your organization eligible? A mission that focuses on art, culture, and/or heritage.

Publicly accessible programming. A minimum of three years of programming history. A physical address located in Washington State.

An annual operating budget between $100,000 to $350,000. Applicants must be one of the following: Fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3), click here for ArtsWA’s Fiscal Sponsorship Requirements Local Arts Agency (must be officially designated to provide art services on behalf of the local government.)

Religious organizations (eligible for project support only) Government agencies or departments (unless designated as a Local Arts Agency) Universities, colleges, academic departments, and K-12 schools Full list of what ArtsWA can and cannot fund as a state agency . IRS Letter of Determination. For fiscally sponsored groups, we will need your fiscal sponsor’s IRS Letter of Determination.

Your organization’s annual operating budget. You can use this operating budget template if you need. For fiscally sponsored groups, we will also need your fiscal sponsor’s budget.

Work samples of your past projects or programs. Work Sample Guidelines Gather your identification numbers Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI) (all organizations must be registered as a WA Nonprofit/Charity with the Secretary of State). Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.

gov. Learn more about getting your UEI (SAM) here. For fiscally sponsored groups, we will need your fiscal sponsor’s UEI. IMPORTANT: As of April 2022, recipients of grants using federal funds are required to have an UEI number.

The UEI replaces the DUNS Number. If you don’t have one yet, you should apply now. You may apply for this grant without one but cannot receive funds until you have a UEI.

Federal Tax ID (EIN). For fiscally sponsored groups, we will need your fiscal sponsor’s EIN. Statewide Vendor (SWV) number.

If you receive a grant, you will need to have an SWV number to receive payment from the state. Learn more about the SWV number here. For fiscally sponsored groups, we will need your fiscal sponsor’s SWV number.

If you have received payment from Washington State in the past – you likely already have a SWV number. You can check on the status of your SWV number by using the vendor number lookup or contacting: PayeeRegistration@ofm. wa.

gov . How will my grant application be evaluated? Notice to applicants: We recently updated the evaluation criteria.

We will not assign priority to applicants outside of King County, the City of Tacoma, and the City of Olympia. Priorities for Operating Support grants Businesses located in counties identified by the state as distressed areas: Clallam, Cowlitz, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, and Yakima.

Organizations serving constituencies consisting of 25% or more of an underserved group. “Underserved” means populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, historical exclusion and marginalization due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economics, disability, or other social or institutionally imposed barriers. What happens after you apply?

Applications are reviewed for eligibility and scored by staff who recommend funding to ArtsWA’s Board of Commissioners. Board approval : Recommendations will go to the ArtsWA Board for approval. Notification : Notification of award or decline will go out the by or before the last week of May.

Awarded applicants can expect their contract and instructions on how to receive funds in the next weeks after notification. Learn more about managing a grant here. Federally funded projects must be accessible to people with disabilities.

You can use this accessibility checklist when planning your programs. You do not need to check all boxes to be eligible for funding; this is simply a worksheet and resource for your organization. All applicants for funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) are required to certify that they are following the civil rights statutes that govern nondiscrimination in Federally assisted programs.

For a FAQ on Civil Rights for applicants and to ensure your organization complies, click here . Unsuccessful applicants can appeal in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 30. 12.

036, found here . ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission . The Washington State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts fund our programs.

Grants are contingent on available state and federal funding. ArtsWA complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil and human rights. For more information regarding Washington State Arts Commission’s policies on Accessibility, Diversity, and Nondiscrimination, click here .

Word document version of application – for drafting purposes only Grantee Responsibilities & Grant Payment s What We Can and Cannot Fund Fiscal Sponsorship Guidelines Operating Budget Template Ashley Marshall, Grants to Organizations Program Assistant Miguel Guillén, Grants to Organizations Program Manager Wellness, Arts, and the Military Grants Tribal Cultural Affairs Grants