NYSCA Reserve Fund Grants is sponsored by New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) & New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). An initiative designed to help New York State-based nonprofit arts organizations establish or build on an existing reserve fund. Eligible organizations must have received funding from NYSCA in the last three years (FY24-FY26) with operating budgets of $150K to $3M.

NYSCA Reserve Fund Grants - Nyfa NYSCA Reserve Fund Grants Image: Stockade Works (NYSCA Reserve Fund Grants ’25), Image Credit: Jay Ballesteros Grant History & Recipients The NYSCA Reserve Fund Grants (RFG) will provide grants to NYSCA-funded organizations to establish a reserve fund or build on an existing reserve fund.

Conceived by the New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA) and in partnership with the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), this program is open to nonprofit arts organizations based in New York State who have received direct funding from NYSCA in the last three years, and have a current operating budget between $150,000 and $3 million.

Individual grant amounts will be awarded in accordance with the applying organization’s operating budget, up to $50,000. Organizations that choose to use grant funds to start a reserve fund and do not already have one at the time of applying are prioritized. Rural and BIPOC-led community-based organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

For the 2026 cycle, the NYSCA RFG will award a total of $1,760,000 in grant funding. In addition to providing support through direct funds, the RFG will offer one year of supplementary technical services focused on organizational sustainability and financial prudence.

Each recipient will receive: One virtual workshop dedicated to organizational reserve funding and strategies to support long-term sustainability One hour long one-on-one consulting session Monthly office hours to field pressing questions in a communal setting Like last year, we expect major demand for this program making the NYSCA RFG highly competitive.

We encourage organizations to apply and to take advantage of NYFA’s information sessions. Please review all eligibility requirements in the guidelines. Tuesday, March 10, 10:00 AM ET Tuesday, May 5, 5:00 PM ET* *Please note that the application form on Submittable will automatically close and stop accepting applications at this time.

Be a nonprofit organization with a primary mission to support arts and culture, either incorporated in or registered to do business in New York State, with a location in New York State, and recognized as tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code section as a 501(c)(3). Organizations that are fiscally sponsored by another 501(c)(3) are ineligible for this opportunity, as are organizations embedded in non-arts 501(c)(3) organizations.

Have a current operating budget between $150,000 and $3 million. Have received direct funding from NYSCA at least once in the past three years (FY24 – FY26). Have not received a NYSCA Reserve Fund Grant in the past.

The NYSCA RFG is a one-time grant.

Download Application Guidelines PDF Applicants are eligible for a grant amount based on their organization’s operating budget: Operating Budget $150K – $500K: awarded up to $20K Operating Budget $500K – $1M: awarded up to $35K Operating Budget $1M – $3M: awarded up to $50K Organization Contact Information Organization History and Narrative Supporting Documentation (optional) Option to upload any supporting documentation that shows your organization’s projects and programs to date as a single, combined .

pdf. This can include annual reports, press clippings, news articles, newsletters, and/or testimonials. Please select whether you are Starting or Building a Reserve Fund: If Starting a Reserve Fund: Describe your organization’s reserve goals, plans, and policies related to use and replenishment by answering the questions within this section.

If Building on an Existing Reserve Fund: Upload your current reserve policy as a PDF, and describe your organization’s reserve goals, plans, and policies related to use and replenishment by answering the questions within this section.

Financial & Organizational Materials List of Board of Directors Documentation of Non-Profit Status Proof of NYSCA Funding (FY24 – FY26) Reserve Fund Requirements: If awarded, grants are paid in two installments after meeting the following requirements: 80% will be released after a copy of the organization’s Reserve Policy has been submitted to and approved by NYFA.

As the governing body with fiduciary oversight to ensure the financial sustainability of the nonprofit, the Board of Directors of the organization must adopt a Reserve Policy affirming their commitment to using the funds appropriately. An approved Reserve Policy must be submitted to NYFA by Monday, March 1, 2027. 20% will be released after a Final Report is submitted, ensuring that the funds were retained.

The organization must submit documentation that demonstrates that the first installment of grant funds were retained, in full, in an interest bearing account for a minimum of three consecutive months within one year of being awarded. Final Reports must be submitted within one year of the award notification date.

Supplementary technical support and guidance will be offered to all recipients to assist in the development of their cash reserve policy and to help ensure that these requirements are met. NYFA regularly revisits its grant guidelines and eligibility requirements to improve clarity and accessibility and reduce unintentional bias.

We invite feedback and suggestions that we can consider within the parameters of the program funder’s goals and NYFA’s required processes. Eligible applications undergo a three-round review and elimination process. Rounds 1 & 2: The panel will carefully review and score assigned applications independently.

The highest scoring applications will move forward into the next round of review. Round 3: The panel will meet as a group and collectively discuss the applications that have made it into this round, and conclude by recommending the final grant recipients. All applicants will be notified, regardless of the outcome, by Fall 2026.

Like last year, we expect major demand for this program making the NYSCA RFG highly competitive. We encourage organizations to apply and to take advantage of NYFA’s information sessions. Please review all eligibility requirements in the guidelines.

Peer review panelists will assess eligible applications according to the following evaluation criteria: Demonstration of Organization Need: The organization is at a pivotal stage where there is a clear need to establish or strengthen a reserve fund. The reserve fund is positioned as a critical component of the organization’s future success and sustainability.

The organization actively serves and engages its community through arts and cultural programming that reflects its mission and the specific needs of its audience. The organization demonstrates a long-standing, active, and mutual connection with a local or artistic community. The organization plays a key role in the arts and cultural ecosystem, contributing meaningfully to the field and community.

The organization shows strong financial management practices, demonstrating the capacity of its staff and board to manage and oversee the reserve fund effectively. The organization provides a clear and detailed strategy for the reserve fund’s growth, use, and replenishment, with a focus on long-term financial health.

The organization demonstrates how the reserve fund will enable it to expand its programs, reach new audiences, or increase services over time. Panelists are integral to the NYSCA Reserve Fund grant-making process. Panelists are New York-based cultural workers, community leaders, and artists who carefully review NYSCA Reserve Fund Grant applications throughout multiple scoring rounds and participate in a virtual panel discussion.

Panelists receive an honorarium based on the number of applications reviewed, and public recognition for their panel participation at the time of recipient announcement. Please note: Current staff or board members of an organization applying to the 2026 program are not eligible to serve as panelists. Interested in serving as a panelist?

Or interested in nominating someone to be a panelist? Visit the link below to learn more! Panel Nomination Deadline: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET* *Early submissions are encouraged.

If all spots are not filled by the deadline, nominations will remain open. Submitting a Panelist Nomination Form does not guarantee participation. NYFA staff will reach out to submitted nominees on a rolling basis, no later than May 2026 if they are selected for a panel.

We only accept applications via Submittable . First-time users will need to register with the free Submittable platform to access the application portal. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted, and no exceptions will be made.

We strongly recommend that applicants complete their applications in advance of the deadline to avoid potential technical problems. Applicants will receive an automatic response from Submittable once their application has been successfully received. The NYFA Grants team will host two virtual information sessions during the application cycle.

The first session will focus on Reserve Funds, while the second will provide an in-depth overview of the application process and program guidelines. Both live sessions will have a Q&A section where attendees can ask the Grants team questions about the application process. All info sessions are held virtually over Zoom, are free to attend, and are in English.

NYSCA RFG Information Session #1 (Reserve Fund Overview): Thursday, March 19 at 2PM ET; Register here NYSCA RFG Information Session #2 (Application Overview): Tuesday, March 31 at 2PM ET; Register here Recorded info sessions will be available for viewing below, approximately one week after the live session. This is a new program, and we anticipate that questions and clarifications will arise throughout the application cycle.

As such, we encourage you to revisit this section where we’ll update information regularly. NYFA reserves the right to make changes to the program as needed, provided they do not affect the published eligibility guidelines. Am I eligible if my organization hasn’t received a NYSCA grant in the last three years?

No, to be eligible for this grant, the organization must have received a grant directly from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) at least once within the past three years (FY24-FY26). Am I eligible if my organization has a current operating budget of under $150K? No, to be eligible for this grant, organizations must have a current fiscal year operating budget between $150,000 and $3 million.

Am I eligible if my organization has received a regrant from an organization that was funded by NYSCA in the past three years? No. Organizations must have received direct funding from NYSCA within the past three fiscal years (FY24–FY26) to be eligible for the NYSCA Reserve Fund Grant. Regrants from organizations other than NYSCA do not meet the eligibility criteria.

Does the NYSCA RFG award grants to organizations working with a fiscal sponsor? No, only organizations that are recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities are eligible for this grant. Organizations must have their own 501(c)(3) status, and grants are not awarded to those working under a fiscal sponsor.

What kinds of nonprofit organizations are eligible for this grant? Nonprofit organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply if their primary mission is to support arts and culture, and they meet all other eligibility criteria . Organizations whose primary mission does not focus on arts and culture would not be considered eligible for this grant.

How will my application be assessed? Eligible applications are reviewed and scored by peer review panels through a three-round evaluation and elimination process. Applications are assessed using three criteria: Demonstration of Organizational Need, Community Impact, and Feasibility & Readiness.

Additional details about each evaluation criteria are available under the Review Process section. Where do the funds for this program come from? The NYSCA Reserve Fund Grants are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

What fiscal year will be used to determine an organization’s operating budget? The current fiscal year will be used to determine both an organization’s eligibility for the grant and the award amount. The operating budget may be a projected figure, but it should be aligned with the financial statement you upload.

What kind of documents will be used to determine an organization’s operating budget? You will need to upload your organization’s board-approved working budget for the current fiscal year. There is no required template, but your budget should show operational income and expenses, assets and liabilities, and explanatory notes for each line item, where applicable.

Only submit the budget for the current fiscal year. Do not include budgets from previous or future years. If our organization has “rainy-day” funds, savings or investment accounts, or a small endowment, but does not have a formal reserve policy in place, should we select “Start a reserve fund” or “Build an existing reserve fund?

For the purposes of this grant program, if your organization has funds set aside but does not have a formal board-approved Reserve Policy in place at the time of applying, please select “Start a reserve fund. ” How do you define a reserve fund policy?

We define a reserve policy as a board-approved document that: Outlines how reserve funds may be used Functions as a spend policy Defines the purpose, conditions, and limits for accessing the reserve Explains how the reserve will be replenished after use What are the benefits of having a cash reserve?

Building and maintaining a cash reserve offers several benefits, including: Strengthening the organization’s ability to weather financial challenges and unexpected expenses Enhancing future-facing balance sheets to leverage additional funding Ensuring the organization can manage itself rather than relying on funders’ decisions Helping to manage unexpected losses such as funding cuts, pandemics, or financial downturns Allowing for the covering of property repairs and replacements What is the award amount for this grant?

Grant amounts will be awarded in accordance with the applying organization’s operating budget, up to $50,000. Applicants are eligible for funding according to the following budget tiers: Operating Budget $150K – $500K: awarded up to $20K Operating Budget $500K – $1M: awarded up to $35K Operating Budget $1M – $3M: awarded up to $50K If awarded, what can the funds be used for?

If awarded, the funds must be used towards stabilizing the organization’s budget by establishing a reserve fund or building on an existing reserve fund. If I receive the grant, when will the grant funds be paid? Grants are paid in two installments after meeting the following requirements: 80% of the award will be released after submission and approval of the organization’s Reserve Policy to NYFA, due March 1, 2027.

20% of the award will be released upon submission of the Final Report, due within one year of the award notification date, confirming that the funds were properly retained in full, in an interest bearing account for a minimum of 3 consecutive months. If I receive the grant, will I be required to fill out any reports? Yes.

Grant recipients are required to submit two reports: the organization’s Reserve Policy, due by March 1, 2027, and a Final Report due within one year of the award notification date. The Final Report must confirm that the grant funds were properly retained and include documentation showing that the initial grant installment was held in full in an interest-bearing account for at least three months.

Will supplementary services be provided to grant recipients? Yes!

In addition to the financial support provided through the grant, recipients will also receive supplementary services, including: One virtual workshop focused on organizational reserve funding and long-term sustainability strategies One hour-long, one-on-one consulting session to address specific needs or challenges Monthly office hours for ongoing support and to answer any pressing questions If I receive the grant, when will the supplementary services begin?

Supplementary services will begin promptly after you receive the grant in Fall 2026, starting with a virtual workshop on organizational reserve funding and long-term sustainability strategies. After the workshop, you will have access to a one-on-one consulting session and monthly office hours. If I receive the grant, am I required to participate in the supplementary services?

Participation in the supplementary services is optional but encouraged. You are not required to engage in the offered services as long as you meet all other grant requirements through submitting your board-approved reserve policy and final report. How do I apply / Where can I find the application form?

All applications must be submitted through the Submittable platform. All open applications can be found here: https://apply. nyfa.

org/submit If you haven’t already, you will need to create a free Submittable account to be able to access the application. Visit www. submittable.

com to start a free account. How do I use Submittable to submit my application? Step-by-step guidance for using the Submittable platform and setting up a free account is available here .

Can I save my application as a draft before submitting? Can I submit a hardcopy application or submit an application via email? No. All applications must be submitted online through the following link to be considered for review: https://apply.

nyfa. org/submit . For assistance in applying, please reach out through our Contact Page .

We ask that requests for assistance be made as soon as possible, and at least two weeks prior to the deadline to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application on time. How can I convert paper documents to digital files if I don’t have a scanner? Instructions for scanning documents on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch are available here .

Instructions for scanning documents on an Android device using Google Drive are available here. The application form does not accept the file type I want to upload. How do I convert my file to the required file type?

This free online tool can help you convert to a wide variety of file types. Accepted file types are listed directly on the application. How do I supply further information to the panel about my work samples?

You have the option of including notes and comments about your work samples in the metadata field. Once you have selected and uploaded your file on Submittable, an additional metadata field will appear in the application form. Please include additional information about the work samples there.

I am running into technical issues either accessing Submittable or attempting to complete my application on Submittable. What should I do? If you are still running into technical issues, you can reach out to Submittable’s Support team directly via the contact form, Submitter Support , or via the support email address [email protected] so that they can troubleshoot directly.

NYFA staff do not have access to your Submittable account. I submitted an application, but I can’t find it on Submittable. Where did it go?

Note: Submitted applications should only be previewed using the link above. You may not be able to preview your submitted application by signing in through the same portal link you used to apply. Can I submit my application after the deadline?

No. All applications must be submitted by the deadline. Please note that the application form will automatically close and stop accepting applications at the deadline time of 5:00 PM ET, regardless of whether you still have a draft application open on your browser. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at least 24-48 hours before the deadline date to allow time to address any technical issues.

NYFA cannot extend the deadline regardless of the cause of the problem you may have encountered. Why are you collecting demographic data from applicants and who has access? By completing this information you are helping NYFA secure future funding, collect general information about our audience, and properly assess our effectiveness in serving the creative community.

Your responses will remain anonymous and any personally identifying data will be removed prior to sharing the demographic data with third parties. NYFA is committed to supporting individuals from all backgrounds and disciplines and will continue to work towards values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across all programs.

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