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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
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 the guidelines and apply.
- 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
| Date | Activity | Description |
| October to November | Required Grant Workshops | All organizations interested in applying for funding must attend at least one of the annual grant workshops scheduled for October and November. See the grant workshop section for complete information and workshop dates. |
| November to December | Arts Grant Director Meetings | Organizations new to the Raleigh Arts Grant Program and those interested in applying for a different type of funding than they have in the past must notify the Arts Grant Director of their intent to apply and schedule a meeting with her to discuss their proposals. |
| Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 | 2025-2026 Grant Application Deadline | Grant applications must be received by the deadline to be considered for funding. |
| July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 | Grant Funded Programming Occurs | Grants will support arts programming from July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 |
Workshops
Any Raleigh nonprofit interested in applying for a grant must attend at least one or more of the grant workshops.
2025-2026 Arts Grant Workshops
Intro to Grant Funding Workshops
Raleigh nonprofits new to the Raleigh Arts Commission grant program are required to attend one of these two sessions. 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.
Session 1
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: Kiwanis Neighborhood Center, 2525 Noble Road, Raleigh
Session 2
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 2, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Kiwanis Neighborhood Center, 2525 Noble Road, Raleigh
Register for an Intro to Grant Funding Workshop
Program Support 1 Grant Workshops
This workshop is required for all new Program Support 1 applicant organizations. The workshop will walk participants through completing the application forms and writing the grant narrative, as well as strategies for success. Be sure to read the grant guidelines and application forms ahead of time. Participants are encouraged to bring draft 2025-2026 applications and questions to this session.
Session 1
- Date: Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: Kiwanis Neighborhood Center, 2525 Noble Road, Raleigh
Session 2
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon
- Location: Halifax Community Center, 1023 Halifax Street, Raleigh
Register for Program Support 1 Workshop
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 this year. Each session will walk participants through completing the 2025-2026 application forms and writing the narrative and strategies for success. Participants are encouraged to read the grant guidelines and application forms ahead of time and to bring draft 2025-2026 applications and questions to their workshop.
Program Support 1 and 2 Session
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon
- Location: Halifax Community Center, 1023 Halifax Street, Raleigh
Operating Support Session
- Date: Friday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon
- Location: Halifax Community Center, 1023 Halifax Street, Raleigh
Register for How to Write it Right – New Grant Writers Workshops
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 only the first time writing a Raleigh Arts Commission grant application should register for the “How to Write It Right” grant workshop instead.
Program Support 1 and 2 Session
- Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Location: This workshop will be held virtually on Zoom.
Operating Support Session
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to noon
- Location: This workshop will be held virtually on Zoom.
Raleigh Arts Partners
Raleigh Arts Partners are the organizations that receive funding from the Raleigh Arts Commission Grants. For 2024-2025, 38 nonprofit organizations are receiving city arts funding.
Learn more about the Raleigh Arts Partners
