Operating Grants

Operating Grants is sponsored by Bravo Greater Des Moines. Offers general operating support to eligible arts, culture, heritage, and interpretive sciences organizations in the Greater Des Moines region.

Operating Grants - Bravo Greater Des Moines Bravo Greater Des Moines offers general operating support to all eligible arts, culture, heritage and interpretive sciences organizations in the Greater Des Moines region. Operating grants support the administrative expenses and day-to-day costs of running an organization which is essential to supporting an organization’s work and mission.

The 2027 grant period (GC27) runs January 1 – December 31, 2027. This preview is provided for planning purposes only. Remember, applications must ultimately be submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply.

Download Word doc of application Download Word doc of application Download Word doc of application Bravo’s Operating Grant program provides general operating support to eligible arts, culture and heritage organizations in the Greater Des Moines region. Operating grants support the administrative expenses and day-to-day costs of running an organization which is essential to supporting an organization’s work and mission.

Click below to view and download the GC27 Operating Grant Overview & Guidelines.

Eligible Operating Grant Applicants must meet all of the following criteria: A 501(c)(3) organization exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code with at least three consecutive years of active programming history under that designation OR be an agency, division, or department of the State of Iowa that operates a facility open to the public that is affiliated with a single, designated 501(c)(3) partner whose explicit purpose is to raise funds in support of the agency’s programming.

Have headquarters in and conduct most of its activities within one of Bravo’s partner local governments . Demonstrate a primary organizational purpose of arts, culture, heritage, and/or interpretative sciences that focuses on the collection, preservation, production, presentation, and/or promotion of artistic expression, traditions, customs, or stories within creative, educational, or historic contexts.

Mission language, programming, public access, support materials, partnerships, financial statements, and budgets for eligible expenses must all clearly illustrate arts, culture, heritage, or interpretative science as the organization’s primary purpose (at least 75% ). Note: Eligibility does not guarantee funding. A complete application is required to be considered for funding.

Specific eligibility requirements may be waived at Bravo’s discretion.

Ineligible applicants for operating support include, but are not limited to: Fiscally sponsored entities Private organizations, clubs Political, religious, or academic organizations Public or private schools or higher education institutions Those formed with the express purpose of fundraising on behalf of, supporting, and/or promoting applicants that are not otherwise eligible for funding (e.g. friends societies, etc. for libraries, political, religious or academic organizations) Additional Requirements & Application Tracks Applications and requirements are designed to acknowledge the capacity and breadth of organizations Bravo serves.

All eligible applicants will apply for general operating support through SurveyMonkey Apply using the most appropriate application track: Organizations with prior year actual expenses between $5,000 – $200,000 and received Bravo Operating Grant support in GC26.

Organizations with prior year actual expenses between $200,000 – $2,000,000 , have at least one year-round, full-time employee or full-time equivalent, and have received Bravo Operating Grant support consecutively for each of the last three years.

Organizations with average annual expenses exceeding $2,000,000 over their three most recently completed fiscal years, have at least five year-round, full-time employee or full-time equivalent, and have received Bravo Operating Grant support consecutively for each of the last five years. Bravo will not accept applications for GC27 funding from any organization that did not receive GC26 Operating Grant support.

Exceptions may be made for organizations that have received Operating Grant funding in at least 2 of the previous 4 grant cycles (GC23-26). If your organization meets these criteria, a meeting with Bravo staff is required prior to applying to confirm eligibility. Applicants must have at least 2 consecutive years of operations meeting requirements for a different track before being eligible to move.

All applicants with more than $1M in prior year actual expenses must complete an independent financial audit for the fiscal year ending in 2027. Application tracks are determined by eligible expense only. For a complete list of eligible and ineligible expenses, click here .

How Grant Awards Are Determined Organizations will not be able to request a specific grant amount, and awards will not be determined based on prior investment by Bravo. For applicants with prior year expenses between $5,000-$2,000,000, grant awards are based on the merit of the organization’s application, Bravo’s available funds, and actual expenses from the applicant’s most recently completed fiscal year.

Awards will generally fall within the percentage ranges shown in the chart below. For applicants with a three-year average of more than $2,000,000, awards will be based on a percentage of total funds available to this group.

Awards will generally fall within the following target ranges: Annual Operating Expenses 5% – 20% of PY actual expenses 5% – 15% of PY actual expenses % of total funds available to this group 2 equal payments in January and July 4 equal payments in January, April, July & October Organizations should not expect to receive the maximum award amount and should conservatively budget contributions from Bravo.

Any termination, reduction, or delay of funds from Bravo’s local government partners to Bravo may result in the termination, reduction, or delay of grant awards. Awards less than $1,000 will be sent in full in January. Application Review & Award Process Applications matter .

Eligibility does not guarantee funding. The best way to ensure your organization receives Bravo operating grant support is to submit a complete, quality application. Review Tips for Submitting a Strong Application on the Bravo website.

New for GC27 – Applicants must have a minimum average score of 70% to be eligible for Bravo funding. Bravo is committed to a transparent, fair, and consistent grantmaking process. All GC27 applications will be reviewed by an anonymous panel of community peers and professionals before grant awards are determined.

Panel meetings are closed to the public, and the Bravo Board of Directors will make final funding decisions. Feedback from the panel will be shared with applicants and will be included with award notifications. Applicants should not directly contact Bravo Board or panel members to discuss applications or funding amounts.

There is no appeal of final funding decisions made by Bravo. Organizations are strongly encouraged to set up Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) payments through the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. If needed, organizations can elect to receive physical checks mailed to the mailing address provided in the application.

Only eligible expenses will be included in award calculations. Expected timeline for GC27 Operating Support Grants: August 3, 2026 Tasks for cultural partners open in SuveryMonkey Apply: Passport to Culture Participation Form Bravo Gala Spotlight Award Nomination Form Deadline: August 14, 2026 These taks will disappear from SuveryMonkey Apply after 8/14; if you are planning on participating, please prioritize completing these forms!

August 17, 2026 Guidelines, application questions & applicant resources available on Bravo’s website. Applicants may begin working on application responses offline August 24, 2026 GC27 Application opens online via SurveyMonkey Apply September 25, 2026 Applications due by 3:00 pm via SurveyMonkey Apply December 7, 2026 Award announcement and notifications sent to applicants January 1, 2027 Funding term starts.

January 8, 2027 Deadline to submit GC27 Grant Agreement, GC26 Operating Grant Final Report and data collection December 31, 2027 Funding term ends. Contact Bravo staff at grants@bravogreaterdesmoines. org or 515.

243. 0388 with any questions.

2026 Operating Grant Recipients Adventures in Social Development (ASD) Ankeny Area Historical Society ASAP – After School Arts Program Big Creek Historical Society Carlisle Area Historical Society Carousel Theatre of Indianola Central Iowa Blues Society Central Iowa Jazz Association (Turner Center Jazz Orchestra) Central Iowa Wind Ensemble Des Moines African Youth Festival Awards (DAFESTA) Des Moines Children’s Museum Des Moines Choral Society Des Moines Community Orchestra Des Moines Community Playhouse Des Moines Community Radio Foundation (KFMG-LP) Des Moines Concert Handbells Des Moines Diversity Chorus Des Moines Film / Varsity Cinema Des Moines Gamer Symphony Orchestra Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus Des Moines Performing Arts Des Moines Symphony & Academy The Des Moines Urban Experience Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild Des Moines Young Artists’ Theatre Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Greater Des Moines Community Band Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Filipino American Society Heart of Iowa Classical Guitar Society Iowa Architectural Foundation Iowa European Culture Connection Iowa Gold Star Military Museum Iowa Jewish Historical Society Iowa Latino Community Center Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa Johnston Historical Society Latinas Latinos Al Exito, Inc (Al Exito) Latino Resources (Latino Heritage Festival) Polk County Heritage Gallery Salisbury House & Gardens Serving All Youth (SAY Poetry) State Historical Museum of Iowa Tallgrass Theatre Company Urbandale Community Theatre Urbandale Historical Society Waukee Area Historical Society West Des Moines Historical Society Zenith Chamber Music Festival