Raleigh Arts Commission Grants

Based on recommendations by the Raleigh Arts Commission, the City of Raleigh awards arts grant funding annually to nonprofit organizations headquartered in Raleigh. Raleigh nonprofits may request one Raleigh Arts Commission Grant per year.

These arts grants are the official vehicle for municipal support to the City's arts organizations. A major example of the City Council's dedication to the cultural development of Raleigh, the program is currently supported by a $5 per capita allocation, which resulted in grant awards totaling $1,834,533 for 2024-2025.

Apply for Funding

The 2025–2026 arts grant cycle is now closed. The 2026–2027 cycle will be announced in fall 2025. See the Timeline for application steps.  

Subject to eligibility requirements per grant category, any nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and whose corporate headquarters are located within the limits of the City of Raleigh may apply for an arts grant.

For complete eligibility requirements, please use the links below to read the guidelines for each grant category.

How to Apply

Application requirements vary depending on the Raleigh Arts Commission Grant category. Use the links below to read 2025–2026 guidelines, which are for reference only—guidelines for 2026–2027 grant applications will be posted in the fall.

• Program Support 1
  For nonprofit organizations headquartered in Raleigh with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.
• Program Support 2
  For nonprofit arts and cultural organizations headquartered in Raleigh that have successfully completed Program Support 1 grant projects for three of the past four years.
• Operating Support
  For nonprofit arts organizations headquartered in Raleigh that have successfully completed Program Support 2 grant projects for three of the past four years.

Timeline

Workshops

Any Raleigh nonprofit interested in applying for a Raleigh Arts Commission Grant must attend one or more grant workshops. Dates for the 2026-2027 grant workshops will be posted in fall 2025.

Intro to Grant Funding Workshop

Raleigh nonprofits new to the Raleigh Arts Commission grant program are required to attend one of two sessions of the Intro to Grant Funding Workshop. This workshop introduces potential applicants to the Raleigh Arts Commission’s work and explores in general how grant funding processes work, with a goal of helping participants decide whether or not this grant program and/or any other is a good fit for their organization.

Program Support 1 Grant Workshop

All new Program Support 1 applicants are required to attend the Program Support 1 Grant Workshop. The workshop will walk participants through completing the application forms and writing the grant narrative, as well as strategies for success.

How to Write It Right - New Grant Writers Workshops

These workshops are required for all returning applicant organizations whose development staff/grant writers are writing the application for the first time and for returning applicants applying in a new grant category. Workshops will walk participants through completing the application forms and writing the narrative, as well as strategies for success.

Returning Arts Partner Grant Workshops

Designed for City of Raleigh Arts Commission grant writers who have successfully written these applications before, these virtual workshops provide an opportunity for returning applicants to ask questions about all aspects of the application and funding process. These workshops are optional, and participants must have written a Raleigh Arts Commission grant application within the past three years to attend. 

Currently funded organizations with development staff/grant writers for whom this will be the first time writing a Raleigh Arts Commission grant application should register for the “How to Write It Right” grant workshop instead.