About the Grant
Funded by Duke Energy, United Arts’ Diversity in the Arts grant program provides general operating support funding for art, science, and history organizations that are grassroots and BIPOC / ALAANA led. Eligible organizations can apply for multiyear (2 years) general operating support through this single application process.
United Arts shifted Diversity in the Arts from project-based to mission-based funding, based on feedback from collaborative, community work sessions. This revamped funding process provides intentional investments into the growth and stability of organizations that represent, celebrate, and serve, the culturally diverse communities of Central Florida. Diversity in the Arts is designed as an opportunity amplifying pathway preparing organizations for our Operating Support Grant program as well as other state, regional, and national grant opportunities.
Request Amount:
Up to $10,000 per year. Funding is competitive; not all projects of merit will be funded. Applicants should note the eligible and ineligible expenses listed on page 2, to help determine if this grant fits their needs. Generally, this grant program funds the organization’s operations, meaning operating expenses (which could include overhead such as salaries, rent, technology, etc.) and programmatic expenses that support the day-to-day operations of the organization.
Organization Eligibility:
- Be registered as a 501(c)3 organization, or in the process of applying for its 501(c)3 status
- Organizations applying for 501(c)3 status will need to work with a fiscal sponsor for this opportunity
- Arts and culture, history, or science is the organization’s primary mission
- Principal office located, and provide programming in Lake, Orange, Osceola and/or Seminole counties.
- 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 and maintain insurance coverage.
- Commercial General Liability, $500,000 (event riders are acceptable, or insurance held by the venue that covers your organization for the events).
- Workers’ Compensation, as required by law (if the organization employs more than three paid staff)
- If the organization is funded, it can use grants funds to secure insurance coverage
- 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 can receive Diversity in the Arts funding for up to 3 years.
Organizations are NOT eligible if they are:
- Other designated Local Arts Agencies
- Individual Artists – eligible for Individual Artists Grants
- 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/radio/print) – Nonprofit radio stations are eligible for community project grants
- Faith-based organizations – eligible for community project grants
- Fraternal or sports organizations
- Political causes, candidates, organizations, or campaigns
- Hospitals, health, and disease-specific organizations – eligible for community project grants
- 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)
- Organizations that are primarily touring production presenters with budgets over $5 million.
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.
Operations and Programming Eligibility:
This grant program funds both operating expenses (which could include overhead such as salaries, rent, technology, etc.) and programmatic expenses that support the day-to-day operations of the organization.
To ensure this new program supports its intended audience, applicants must demonstrate their organization is BIPOC/ ALAANA led. Preference will be given to organizations that are increasing access to the arts, history, and science, for audiences/ communities that are underrepresented and under-resourced.
To learn more, please download the Guidelines below.
