Grant Applicant FAQs

• Arts and Youth
• General Operating Support
• Impact Projects
• Individual Artists Fellowships
• State-Local Partners
• State-Local Partner Mentorship

Arts and Youth
Click here to view program information for the Arts and Youth grant.

General Operating Support

Click here to view program information for the General Operating Support grant.

Is General Operating Support the same program as Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support?
The General Operating Support grant is a consolidated program that combines many of the general operating programs offered by the California Arts Council. Past applicants of the Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support, Statewide and Regional Networks, and Cultural Pathways grants are eligible and encouraged to apply. Please refer to the current General Operating Support Guidelines for specific eligibility criteria and additional information.

The work my organization does in the arts is part of a department or affiliate organization within a larger organization. Can I apply for funding for the services and work my department or affiliate organization does?
No, this funding opportunity looks at the entire applicant organization’s work that is applying for funding. Unless your affiliate organization has its own FEIN, the organization cannot apply as a separate entity. For example, a museum associated with a university is not eligible to apply. 

Do I need to report my whole organization’s total revenue or just the revenue of the department or affiliate organizations that does art programing and services?
This funding opportunity will look at the total revenue of the applicant organization. Department or affiliates within larger organizations are not eligible to apply on their own or with a fiscal sponsor. Re-granting, pass-through, and restricted capital improvement funding are excluded from the organization’s total revenue calculation. Please refer to the total revenue definition listed in the guidelines.

Impact Projects

Click here to view program information for the Impact Projects grant.

For project-based grant applications, how should I report my organization’s total revenue if we are affiliated with a larger organization and share an FEIN number?
Organizations that are affiliated or associated with a larger organization that share FEIN/nonprofit ID numbers should calculate their total revenue based on their affiliate organization’s budget, not the larger organization. An affiliate organization is defined as having a separate budget, designated staff, and separate venue/location (if applicable) from the larger affiliated organization. For example, a museum associated with a university should use the museum’s budget, not the university’s budget. Individual program or department budgets should not be used, as they are not considered separate organizations. 

Is there a Total Revenue limit or prioritization for this grant?
Yes. Organizations with Total Revenues at or above $3 million are not eligible to apply to this program. Organizations with TRs below $3 million are eligible to apply as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Can my organization apply if we are not an “arts organization”?
Yes. As long as your organization has a history of engagement in arts programming and/or services for at least two years and meets all other eligibility requirements, you are eligible to apply.

Can an Impact project have more than one lead artist?
Yes. Applicants will be asked to provide a written statement from the lead artist(s) describing their vision for the project and their connection to the community to be engaged. If there is more than one lead artist, they may write this statement together.

What is a “collaborative” project?
A collaborative project should be developed between local artist(s) and community members, to develop and express creative and artistic goals and address a community-defined need. Projects should utilize creative practices to impact social issues affecting their communities.

What are some examples of historically and systemically under-resourced communities?
Examples of historically and systematically under-resourced communities could include but are not limited to:

Currently Incarcerated/Experiencing Incarceration, Disabled, Elders/Seniors, Health Workers, Immigrants (Documented and/or Undocumented)/Refugees/Asylum Seekers/Migrants, Tribal Communities, Justice System Affected, LGBTQIA+, Low-Income, Neuro-Divergent, Rural, Returned Residents/Formerly Incarcerated, Systemically marginalized/under resourced/ underrepresented communities, Trans and/or Non-Binary People, Unhoused/Transient, Veterans, Women, Youth (0-24), Other.

Individual Artist Fellowships

Click here to view program information for the Individual Artist Fellowships grant.

I’m an individual artist. How can I apply for the fellowship program?

Please check our statewide map to see which region you reside in. You will be able to apply directly through the Administering Organization (AO) serving your region. The following AOs for each region are: 

• Upstate Region: Nevada County Arts Council (NCArts)
• Capitol Region: Teatro Nagual
• Bay Area Region: Kala Art Institute
• Central Valley & Eastern Sierra Region: Kern Dance Alliance
• Central Coast Region: Arts Council Santa Cruz County
• South-Los Angeles Region: Los Angeles Performance Practice
• Inland Empire & South Coast Region: ArtsOC
• Far South Region: The City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture 

To learn more about each AO, you can visit our grantee database here. 

I know my region and AO. When will the application be available?
Each AO is launching their IAF applications between March 2026-May 2026. Please check our Individual Artist Fellowship landing page for all updated website information and applications links from your region’s AO.

State-Local Partners

Click here to view program information for the State-Local Partners grant.

The State-Local Partner application requires a resolution from our county Board of Supervisors designating our agency as the county SLP for the grant activity period. Does an “evergreen” resolution – e.g. an ongoing designation without an end date – suffice?
Yes. An ongoing designation fulfills this requirement.

State-Local Partner Mentorship

Click here to view program information for the State-Local Partner Mentorship grant.

• Definitions
• Eligibility: Organizations
• Fiscal Sponsorship
• Grant Restrictions
• New Applicants
• Online Application Portal
• Budget & Matching Funds
• Registration: Organizations
• Unique Entity ID
• Work Samples
• Panels & Ranking
• Appeals

Definitions

What is an Administering Organization grant?
AOs who are grantees of the California Arts Council are responsible for the planning and implementation of designated grant programs, including but not limited to:

• Development of program components and timeline; 
• Providing technical assistance; 
• Capacity building at the local level; 
• Implementing statewide and community-specific engagement strategies and trusted culture bearers;

What does the CAC consider an “artistic practice”?
We do not specifically define “artistic practice.” An applicant makes this determination for themselves regarding their work.

Does the CAC have a definition of an “arts organization”?
An arts and cultural organization is defined as an entity with a primary purpose of providing arts, creative, or cultural programming/services.

What does the CAC consider to be equipment?
Equipment is any item that will continue to have a useful life past the program’s grant activity period.

What does the CAC consider to be supplies?
Supplies are materials that are expected to be expended within the program activity period.

Eligibility: Organizations

Click here for a useful infographic to help understand eligibility for different organization types across individual grant programs.

If my organization or my organization’s community served is not located in the
lowest quartile of the California Healthy Places Index (HPI) can I still apply?
Yes. If your organization meets all other eligibility requirements, you can apply for CAC grants, regardless of which quartile of the HPI your organization is located. When applying, organizations located in/serving areas in which there are no tracts that fall in the lowest HPI quartile may discuss how they will prioritize or are working to serve underrepresented or underserved communities.

The HPI percentile for each tract is an average of the scores of the eight Policy Action Areas (Economic, Education, Social, Transportation, Neighborhood, Housing, Health Care Access, Clean Environment). For example, a tract may have an overall HPI score of 30.7% (second quartile), but an Education score of 12.6% (lowest quartile). Organizations can research which of these specific
scores indicate the greatest level of need in their region when describing how they plan to impact those areas.

If my organization received funding from the NEA, can we still apply for CAC grants?
Yes. NEA grant recipients are eligible to apply for CAC grants, as long as there is no overlap in costs or activities in the proposal budget and they meet all other CAC grant eligibility requirements. 

Is my organization eligible if we do not have a principal place of business in California?
No. A principal place of business in California is required.

Is my organization eligible if we have not been a California-based organization for two or more years?
Yes. However, your organization must be California-based at the time of application.

My organization meets the minimum two-year history requirement for providing arts programming and services, but not all within California. Can we still apply?
Yes, but your organization must have regular ongoing arts programming and/or services and be California-based at the time of application.

Does my organization need to have federal 501(c)(3) designation throughout our entire two-year history in order to be eligible?
No. Organizational history is determined only by the length of time engaged in arts programming and/or services.

Can an organization less than two years old use the history of a supporting partner organization to meet the two-year requirement?
No. The history of consistent engagement in arts programming and/or services must be based solely on the timeline of the applicant organization.

Can our organization apply while our nonprofit status application is still in process?
Yes. If your organization is not a unit of government, and does not yet have nonprofit status, you may apply in partnership with an eligible fiscal sponsor.

Our California-based organization has a national reach. Are we eligible to apply for CAC grants?
Yes. Please note: If applying for a project-based grant through our Impact Projects or JUMP StArts opportunities, the proposed project must take place entirely within California.

Do you support new organizations? Or does the organization need to be established?
All organizations must have, at minimum, a two-year history of arts programming and/or services at the time of application. Please review grant-specific guidelines for additional information.

Is my California-based tribe eligible?
Yes. Please review grant-specific guidelines for additional information.

Fiscal Sponsorship

Is my organization eligible if we do not have a principal place of business in California, but have a fiscal sponsor that does?
No. Both the applicant organization and the fiscal sponsor must have principal places of business in California.

What do we do if we need to change our fiscal sponsor after applying?
Once a grant is awarded, the fiscal sponsor becomes the legal contract holder with the California Arts Council. Changes in fiscal sponsor may be granted on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the CAC.

Can my organization apply while our fiscal sponsorship is still in process?
No. For funding opportunities where fiscal sponsorships are allowed, a Letter of Agreement between the fiscal sponsor and the organization must be signed and submitted within each application. Please see additional information on CAC Fiscal Sponsor Policy.

Grant Restrictions

What combination of CAC grants can my organization apply for?
Organizations are limited in which programs they can apply for that fall under different category umbrellas. Click here for a useful infographic to help better understand the restrictions across different grant programs and grant program categories for this funding cycle.

Are capital/infrastructure improvement expenses allowed for any grant opportunities?
No. Construction projects, purchase of land and buildings, or capital expenditures used to maintain, upgrade, acquire, or repair capital assets are not allowed. Please review the complete list of activities and expenses that CAC does not fund.

Are there limits for how much funding an organization can receive?
Yes. Please refer to the Funding Restrictions section of each grant’s guidelines for specific information on how much funding an organization can request and receive.

Is it possible to apply for more than one grant?
Yes. However, for organization’s with a total revenue above $250,000, the sum of requests for CAC grants during the same year of funding cannot exceed 50% of the total revenue from the most recently completed fiscal year.

Is there a request amount limit for organizations with a total revenue at or below $250,000?
No. Organizations with a total revenue at or below $250,000 can request any amount within the grant’s maximum request amount. 

Are K-12 schools or school districts eligible to submit grant applications?
No. Schools and school districts are not eligible to apply for CAC grants. We do, however, fund eligible arts organizations with projects that serve schools.

Is the DataArts Project Report required?
No. This is no longer a requirement in our grant applications.

New Applicants

What grant programs are available now?
Grant programs currently accepting applications are highlighted and listed at the top of our grant programs webpage.

Who determines the grants that are offered?
Our policy-setting Council, appointed by state elected officials, determines the grant programs and allocations of the California Arts Council. The Council holds public meetings throughout the year where policies are discussed and reviews research and public input to inform their decisions.

Who can apply for a grant?
All of our grant programs have specialized eligibility requirements. Generally, California-based arts organizations with nonprofit status or a fiscal sponsor may apply to our grant programs. Each grant program has its own set of guidelines, which contain details on applicant eligibility.

How can I apply?
All applications are submitted through our online grants management system, www.calartscouncil.smartsimple.com. An account must be created to access the system. Applications generally include narrative questions to be completed by an applicant and required attachments.

Are there any tips for new applicants?

1. Read the guidelines for each individual grant in full before beginning an application.
2. Create a profile in our online application portal early in your process.
3. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and submit an application.
4. Be specific and be clear. Successful proposals address the grant program requirements and goals.
5. Be authentic. Celebrate what makes your proposal unique. Avoid jargon in your narrative.
6. Prepare your narrative in a word processing application (MS Word or Google Docs) before inputting your narrative into the online grants management system.
7. Check the online application for specific instructions about uploads and documentation that are not detailed in the guidelines.

Who determines who gets a grant?
Our staff reviews applications for completeness and basic eligibility at the time of submission. A panel of field representatives will adjudicate complete and eligible applications based on the review criteria outlined in the program guidelines. Our panelists are cultural practitioners from across the state who are committed to equity in the application review process. The final authority for grant awards is the appointed Council. After receiving and reviewing recommendations from Council committees, and based on the panel’s rankings, the Council will vote on final funding awards at a public meeting. Awards may differ from requested amounts based on panel rank and available funding.

What happens if my application is successful?
The application owner will receive a notification via email through our online grants management system if your application is approved for funding. Upon notification of grant award, you will be asked to complete all required contract documents within 30 days in order to receive grant payment.

PLEASE NOTE: The State Controller’s Office (SCO) will not issue grant payments before the start date of the Grant Activity Period. All payments are issued by SCO as hard copy checks and sent to grantee payment mailing address via USPS. Please allow up to 3-4 months for your payment to be issued and mailed. Awardees are not expected to expend funds on grant activities before the grant payment is received, although it is not prohibited. Grantees are encouraged to plan their activities with the expectation of not having funds in hand during the first quarter of the term.

Our staff will also contact you about participating in an announcement of your grant award.

What happens if my application is not successful?
The application owner will receive a notification via email through our online grants management system if your application is not approved for funding. Notes from the panel review will be made available to you within the online application portal to aid in your understanding of the rank assigned to your application and to assess how you may improve your application for future funding opportunities. We truly want applicants to be successful in receiving a grant and our staff is available to provide technical assistance and support as needed.

Can the CAC accommodate special requests for applications (large print format, different languages, etc.)?
Yes, we can! Please refer to our Language and Accessibility section of this FAQ, under the General Public header.

Online Application Portal

When will this year’s grant applications be available?
Funding and grant cycles are reviewed and determined by the council on a year-to-year basis. The best way to keep up with notifications and the release of new grants is by signing up for our ArtBeat e-newsletter. Click here to begin receiving updates! (You can also find  can find a “Sign Up” button at the bottom of any page on our website.)

Additionally, you can always check the Grant Programs & Applications page for the current programs offered.

Where can I submit my application?
All applications are submitted through our online grants management system, SmartSimple. An account must be created to access the system.

Budget & Matching Funds

What is total revenue?
The CAC’s definition of total revenue is the total cash inflow from your organization’s most recently completed fiscal year. Cash inflow/income includes all earned income (ex: ticket sales) and contributed income (ex: grants, donations/contributions, one-time organizational funding).

How do I determine what fiscal years to include in my Budget Snapshot?
Applicants are required to provide their organization’s last two completed fiscal years in their Budget Snapshot.

Should restricted capital improvement funding or pass-through funds be included in our organization’s calculation of total revenue?
No, they should not be included.

Should re-granting funds be included in our organization’s calculation of total revenue?
No, they should not be included.

Within the two-year Budget Snapshot, how should my organization represent in-kind contributions?
The value of in-kind goods and services should be reflected within the revenue section in the “contributed” line. Brief budget notes should be entered, describing the in-kind source(s). Please refer to the Matching Contribution Information document. If you have further questions, please contact the grant’s designated Arts Program Specialist.

On the Matching Funds table, what is meant by “projected,” “pending,” or “committed” funding sources?
“Committed” refers to funding sources that have been promised or guaranteed. “Pending” refers to potential funding sources where a request has been made, but a decision, determination or commitment has yet to be offered. “Projected” refers to funding sources which are planned, but not yet requested, applied for, or placed.

In what timeframe are funds eligible to count as matching funds? (For example, what is the earliest my organization could have received the funds to count as matching funds for this cycle’s application?)
The CAC does not have specific requirements regarding when matching funds may have been projected, pending, or committed. If recommended for funding, it is expected that matching funds must be applied during your grant activity date. For example if your grant contract is from November 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026, matching funds must be attributed during that time period.

What does 1:1 Match mean/what is a matching fund?
A 1:1 match requires meeting the same amount of the grant award (dollar for dollar) with either cash or in-kind sources. State funds cannot be used to meet the match. The status of each source must be specified as either projected, pending, or Committed within the grant application. Matching funds can be met with any combination of in-kind and cash sources. Click here for additional information on CAC in-kind contributions.

Registration: Organizations

Why can’t I find my organization using the IRS lookup tool?
Make sure you are only providing your organization’s nine-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN), being sure to omit any spaces or dashes. If your organization cannot be identified through the IRS Lookup tool, please contact the grant’s designated Arts Program Specialist for assistance.

How can I reassign the Applicant Owner to another staff member?
Ownership of an application can be transferred from one organizational contact to another by submitting a Change Request on the Organization Profile/Change Request Tab in the grants management system. This is only recommended when there is a staff transition (example: the Applicant Owner has left the organization). 

Why can’t I certify my organization?
Only the Primary Contact for an organization can update Organizational Profile information and certify the organization.

How do I change my organization’s profile information within the grants management system?
Most organization profile changes can be made by the Primary Contact of the organization. However, there are some changes that have an impact on all the organization’s grants and associated contracts. As a result, these changes cannot be made by the Primary Contact and will require staff assistance. The type of changes that require staff assistance include: Organization Name, Organization Address, and Non-Profit Status. 

These changes must be submitted as a Change Request on the Organization Profile/Change Request Tab. Staff will review the requested change(s) and reach out for more information if required. 

Our Primary Contact has left our organization and I don’t have their log in credentials. What should I do?
If you do not have the login of the current Primary Contact, you will not be able to submit a Change Request. Add yourself as a contact to the organization first using the “Register Here” button on the SmartSimple landing page. You must then send an email to CAC staff explaining the situation. CAC staff will be able to make you the Primary Contact. After this, you may submit a formal Change Request as described in the instructional document.

How do I add myself or another user to my organization’s account?
Registered organizations can create a new user account and associate with the existing organization by registering through the SmartSimple landing page. Click on the “Register Here” button and follow the onscreen instructions.

For contacts already listed in the organization’s profile: Most contact details can be modified by each user directly. If restricted fields require modification, or changes need to be made for a former organizational contact, applicants must submit a Change Request through the Organization Profile/Change Request Tab.

Please note: User accounts cannot be deleted even if they are no longer with the organization.

Unique Entity ID

What is a Unique Entity ID number?
UEI numbers are a 12 alphanumeric code not to be confused with your EIN or DUNS number. All applicants are required to have obtained or requested their UEI number from SAM.gov at time of application.

Do I need to have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) to apply for CAC funding?
Yes, the CAC is requesting that all grantees provide UEI numbers. A UEI field has been added to organizational profiles and the fiscal sponsor tab, where relevant. Fiscally Sponsored organizations must use their Fiscal Sponsor’s UEI number.

We understand not all organizations have UEIs yet and will strive to provide resources to organizations needing support to obtain one. Please visit SAM.gov for more information on how to obtain an UEI number.

What if my organization does not have a UEI at time of application?
If your organization does not have a UEI at the time of application, you can submit your UEI at the time of award with other contract paperwork. Organizations will be required to submit their UEI number as part of their final grant report. Organizations without a UEI at the time of contracting or by final report submission will be asked to provide the date they submitted paperwork to obtain one.

Why do I need to have a Unique Entity ID (UEI)?
UEIs are required to receive federal funding, and organizations must have UEIs in order for the CAC to allocate federal funds when necessary. Please make sure you have your UEI updated in your organization profile and in the fiscal sponsor tab if you are a fiscally sponsored organization.

Work Samples

How long should video-based artistic work samples be?
Video samples may not exceed 3 minutes per file. It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit files within this time limit. If a video is uploaded exceeding the 3 minute limit, video past the 3 minute mark will not be considered by panelists.

How many pages should literary-based artistic work samples be?
Documents are limited to 3 pages in length. It is the responsibility of the applicant to edit and submit documents that are no more than 3 pages in length. If a document is uploaded exceeding the 3-page limit, additional pages will not be considered by panelists. Links embedded in submitted documents will not be reviewed.

What are file size, image size and resolution limitations for visual arts-based artistic work samples?
Each artistic work sample image may not exceed 2MB; images must be .jpg or .png with a limitation of resolution: 300 dpi and size: 800X600 pixels.

For visual arts-based artistic work samples, can an uploaded file reflect more than one specific artwork?
Photo files that are submitted must not exceed 5 images per pdf or word document file. It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit files that contain no more than 5 images. If a document is uploaded containing more than 5 images, additional images will not be assessed by panelists. If uploading .jpg or .png files, you will need to upload as 1 file/image, which will count toward the 5 maximum support material limit.

How long should audio-based artistic work samples be?
Audio samples may not exceed 3 minutes per file. It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit files within this time limit. Larger files will not be permitted. If a video is uploaded exceeding the 3-minute limit, audio past the 3-minute mark will not be considered by panelists.

Panels and Ranking

I am an artist. Am I eligible to apply for CAC funding?
CAC grant programs that offer funding opportunities for individual artists (i.e., Individual Artists Fellowship) are managed on our behalf by various partner organizations, known as Administering Organizations (AOs). Once the AOs are awarded, those organizations will establish a regranting process for individual artists to apply.

In 2026, individuals will be able to apply through their region’s AO for the Individual Artist Fellowship program. See “Individual Artist Fellowships” under the Grant Opportunities section of this FAQ. Individuals are also encouraged to visit Collective, our statewide arts and cultural resource database for other funding opportunities.

• Contacting Staff
• Language & Accessibility
• Resources

Contacting Staff

How do I contact staff for assistance?
Staff are available via email and phone Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Due to the high volume of requests, staff cannot guarantee availability to all applicants via phone. We encourage applicants to review grant guidelines, the Grants Manual and the CAC’s Grant Resources page  as the first step in seeking assistance. If your question remains unanswered or you need further assistance, please email the appropriate CAC staff.

A directory of our Arts Program Specialists contact information is available at our Grants Staff Contacts page. Due to the high volume of inquiries, please allow up to 48 hours for a response.

Please note: Staff assistance is not available after 4:30 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).

Language & Accessibility

Can I submit a print version of my application?
No. CAC only accepts electronic applications submitted through SmartSimple, our online grants management system.

Are applications available in large print?
Yes. Large print is available upon request. Contact us at access@arts.ca.gov to place a request. Please note: Large print applications are currently available in electronic format only.

How do I request an application in another language?
The California Arts Council offers written translation services upon request in Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog. View details at this link. To request language assistance, contact access@arts.ca.gov.

Resources

I can’t find my application on my calartscouncil.smartsimple.com portal anymore. Where did it go?
Once funding decisions have been made, your application will appear in either your “Awarded” or “Declined” tab of the “My Applications” section in your portal.

How can I get notifications about the next cycle of CAC grant opportunities?
CAC grant cycles are announced at Council meetings, on CAC’s social media accounts, and through CAC e-newsletters. Click here to subscribe.

Are there other funding opportunities you recommend?
You can visit Collective, the CAC’s arts and culture opportunities resource database, to find other available sources of funding outside of the CAC.

Can I view examples of successful grant applications?
In compliance with the California Public Records Act, copies of prior grant applications can be provided upon request of public records. Click here to learn more. Please note: many of this year’s grants are being offered for the first time, meaning no prior applications exist in our records.

Where can I find a list of grant recipients for the most recent grant cycle?
A full list of the organizational grants awarded for the most recent grant cycle found here: https://arts.ca.gov/25-26_alphabyorg/

• Awards
• Grant Contract and Management
• Payment

Awards

My organization applied for a Grant at the CAC. How will we be notified if we received the grant?
The CAC will communicate your award status via email. Please make sure your organization’s Primary Contact information is up to date in the grants management system where you submitted your application, as this is our main method of communication to applicants. Emails will be sent from addresses ending in @arts.ca.gov, @cac.ca.gov, or @smartsimple.com – please make sure to add these domain addresses to your safe senders list to avoid being sent to your spam or junk folder.

I am wondering if I can use my CAC grant to match a grant from the NEA. Is the CAC using NEA monies to fund my grant program?
CAC staff assign funding streams to specific grants after they have been adjudicated and approved by Council. We recommend that you apply for any grant for which you or your organization is eligible and that seems like a good fit. If awarded, we can confirm whether or not it may be used to match NEA funds.

Grant Contract and Management

Payment