Background & Purpose

The Impact Projects grant program intends to support collaborative projects that center artists and artistic practice in responding to issues experienced by historically and systemically under-resourced communities in California at this time, including, but not limited to, social, political, and economic inequalities. This program prioritizes local artists and forms of arts and cultural expression that are unique to, and/or historically rooted in, the specific communities to be served.

Impact Projects grants support arts organizations for collaborations between local artist(s) and community members to develop and express their own creative and artistic goals and address a community-defined need. Collaborative projects will utilize various creative practices to impact social issues affecting their communities, including but not limited to systemic marginalization, incarceration/justice systems, access to education, poverty/economic disparity, health disparities, accessibility for people with disabilities, housing insecurity, violence, food insecurity, cultural/social justice, intergenerational learning, veterans’ issues, and environmental sustainability. Previous applicants to project-based programs such as Reentry Through the Arts and Veterans in the Arts, etc. are encouraged to apply through this program. Please note that applicants focused on arts education for youth are encouraged to apply for Creative Youth Development, Arts Education Exposure, or Arts Integration Training.

Program Goals

• To strengthen the creative expression of artists, artistic practice, and community collaboration
• To heal, stabilize, uplift, and transform communities
• To fund artistic projects that foster creative social change in the areas of equity and access
• To provide crucial opportunities for sustaining strong, healthy, vibrant, safe, and resilient communities in a region

Matching Funds

This grant does not require matching funds.

Eligible Request Amounts

Applicant organizations can request up to $25,000 for the one-year grant activity period.

Funding Restrictions

• Organizations with total revenue at or above $3 million are not eligible to apply to this grant program.
• Organizations applying for other project-based programs cannot apply to more than one CAC grant program to support the same project.
• The sum of requests during the same year of funding cannot exceed 50% of the total revenue from the most recently completed fiscal year for organizations with total revenue above $250,000.

Grant Program Overview

Overview video coming soon.

This video introduces the Impact Projects grant application elements and how to apply through the CAC’s online portal.

Office Hours

Virtual office sessions are available to provide technical assistance for the Impact Projects grant program. Join Arts Program Specialists Natalie Peeples and Charlie O’Malley as they discuss your organization-specific grant application questions. Prospective applicants are welcome to drop in during any session; registration is not required. The Impact Projects office hour schedule and links for each session are listed below:

Thursday, April 11, 12-1 p.m. – Click to join

Thursday, April 25, 12-1 p.m. – Click to join

Tuesday, May 7, 11 a.m.-noon – Click to join

Friday, May 17, 12-1 p.m. – Click to join

Application Links:

Online Application Portal: calartscouncil.smartsimple.com

Guidelines

Guidelines (Spanish)

Grants Manual

Grants Manual (Spanish)

Frequently Asked Questions

Grant Resources page

Grant Review Panel Process

2023 Grantee Information:

List of current grantees

Staff Assistance

Before contacting staff, check FAQs to see if application questions can be answered. If staff assistance is still required for guidance or clarification, email is the best way to contact Program Specialists. We recommend that you contact staff well in advance of the deadline to ensure you can be accommodated. Please note: Staff assistance is not available after 5:00 p.m. on the day of a grant deadline. People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf Blind, or have difficulty speaking may dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). Large print is available upon request.