About the OPPORTUNITY
The Diversity in the Arts Grant Program provides operating support funding to art, science, and history organizations that are BIPOC/ ALAANA- Centered. This funding process provides intentional investments into the growth and stability of organizations that represent, serve and celebrate the culturally diverse communities of Central Florida. The Diversity in the Arts grant program is designed as pathway, preparing organizations for United Arts Operating Support Program, as well as other state, regional, and national grant opportunities.
Funding Opportunity
There are up to 10 two-year grants available for this program. The award amount is set at $10,000 per year to support the year-round operations of the applicant organization in meeting its mission. This grant program funds operating expenses include overhead costs such as salaries, artist stipends, rent, software, insurance, utilities, marketing and fundraising, and other costs that “keep the lights on”. The Diversity in the Arts program is not a project grant.
To ensure this new program supports its intended audience, applicants must demonstrate their organization is BIPOC/ALAANA-centered (see guidelines). If the interested, applicant organization does not fit this requirement, look to the General Operating Support Funding Opportunity. Applicant organizations can apply to either the Diversity in the Arts program or General Operating Support. This grant is competitive and there may be applications of merit that do not receive funding.
Organization Eligibility:
- Be registered as a 501(c)3 organization and in good standing with the State of Florida Division of corporations and the IRS.
- Applicant organization’s primary mission is focused on Arts and culture, history, or science
- Applicant Organization’s administrative headquarters is in Lake, Orange, Osceola, or Seminole County
- Applicant Organization’s programming primarily takes place in Lake, Orange, Osceola, or Seminole County
- Completed at least one year of operations, providing cultural programming (defined as production, presentation, or instruction of performing, visual, literary, or media / digital arts, the sciences, or history and heritage).
- Provide year-round programming (defined as 4 public-facing cultural programs – can be any mix of those mentioned above) This does not include 4 performances of the same program/production (i.e., a 4-show run of the same production in one given time frame.)
- Organization must comply with fair labor standards and a drug-free workplace
- Must provide equal access and opportunity in employment and services and may not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, geography, age, varying abilities, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, citizenship status, or socio-economic status.
Organizations are NOT eligible if they are:
- A current Operating Support Grantee
- A public or private entity governed by a county, municipality, school district, community college, college, university, or an agency of state government
- Media companies (TV/print)
- Nonprofit, Public radio stations are eligible.
- Faith-based organizations – eligible for project grants
- Fraternal or sports organizations
- Political causes, candidates, organizations, or campaigns
- Hospitals, health, and disease-specific organizations
- Organizations that are a local arm of a state or national organization
- Organizations that are adjuncts to for-profit organizations
- “Friends of” organizations are eligible to apply only in lieu of the parent nonprofit organization
In all cases, final organizational eligibility decisions are made by United Arts staff. Each organization is limited to one Diversity in the Arts application per deadline. Priority will be given to applicants who are serving underserved communities and/or pre-dominantly people of color.
Approval of funding carries with it no assurance of continued funding with future applications. Applicants must be in good standing with any prior grant reporting if applicable. Organizations that do not meet all criteria may be eligible for other United Arts programs https://unitedartscfl.org/grants/.
To learn more, download the Guidelines Document.
