Application Open
May 1, 2025

Application Deadline:
July 1, 2025

Time Period of Support:
Year 1: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Year 2: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 

Two-Year Grant Amount:
Up to $50,000 ($25,000 per fiscal year) based on budget 

ELIGIBILITY SNAPSHOT:
 NV incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organizations 

STAFF CONTACTS:
Michelle Patrick | Community Arts Development Specialist 
mpatrick@nevadaculture.org 
702-486-3732 

Lauren Frick | Community Arts Development Specialist
lfrick@nevadaculture.org
775-687-7719

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

Operating Support Grants (OSG) from the Nevada Arts Council strengthen Nevada’s arts infrastructure by supporting general operations of non-profit arts organizations throughout the state. The most competitive applicants offer ongoing, sustained, accessible programs and arts services or artistic programming in their communities. OSG funds support general operating expenses including administrative salaries and benefits, payroll expenses, insurance, facility space rental, utilities, and contracted and professional services. Operating Support Grants are awarded on a two-year cycle. Organizations will submit a full application in even fiscal years, and an Interim Report in the following odd fiscal year. 

This grant is administered in two separate payments during the two-year grant cycle: 

1. Grantees must complete their Award Packet within 30 days of the receipt to receive Year 1 of their OSG funding (50% of total award) 
2. Grantees must complete the Interim Report online with all applicable support materials by June 30, 2026 
3. Upon approval of the Interim Report, grantees will receive Year 2 of their OSG funding (50% of total award) 
4. Grantees must complete the Final Report online by June 30, 2027, to remain in compliance and eligible for future Nevada Arts Council grants 

Two-Year Grant Amount: Up to $50,000 total ($25,000 per fiscal year)*

The grant amount is based on the organization’s annual total revenue (see levels below). Depending on availability of funds, the organization’s award amount will be the same for each year of the grant. The Nevada Arts Council fiscal year runs July 1-June 30. 

Required Match: 1:1 cash match 

Eligibility

Nevada 501(c)(3) incorporated nonprofit organizations that meet the following requirements: 

• Must be based in Nevada (as shown by the address on the organization’s IRS 990 form) 
• Must have federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 
• Must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov 
• Must have active incorporation status with the Nevada Secretary of State showing evidence of good standing at the time of application 
• Show an annual total revenue of at least $10,000 in your organization’s most recently completed fiscal year (based on your most recent IRS 990 form) 
• Have a mission that describes the arts as the primary purpose of the organization 
• Provide significant arts programs or services on seasonal or ongoing basis throughout the year (this grant does not fund organizations whose primary focus is a single event) 
• Have at least one paid part-time or full-time employee (Levels 2-5 only) 
• Demonstrate at least three previous years of effective arts related programming 

An organization may receive an Operating Support Grant, an Arts Learning Project Grant, and up to two Arts Learning Express Grants in the same fiscal year. 

OSG Funding Restrictions 
Please see the General Funding Restrictions of the current Grant and Award Policies. 

Grant Request Levels*

An organization’s grant request level is based on the total revenue reported on the IRS 990 form (or 990-N for organizations with gross receipts of $30,000-$50,000) from their most recently completed fiscal year (as of the grant deadline date). 

	If your annual total revenue is:	You may request up to:
Level 1	$10,000 – $99,999	$5,000
Level 2	$100,000 – $249,999	$10,000
Level 3	$250,000 – $499,999	$15,000
Level 4	$500,000 – $999,999	$20,000
Level 5	$1 million or more	$25,000

Review Process
This is a competitive grant category and grant funds are awarded based on panel scores and available funds. For more information, please see the Grant and Award Policies.

Review Criteria 

1. Organizational Capacity and Management (40 points)
   • Provides evidence of effective financial management and health, including maintaining appropriate budgets and a diversity of revenue sources 
   • Provides evidence of qualifications and effectiveness of professional staff and board to support the organization’s mission, programming, and services 
   • Identifies and describes methods to evaluate success, impact, and outcomes 
   • Provides evidence of succession, emergency planning and preparedness 
2. Artistic Excellence (30 points) 
   • Demonstrates commitment to artistic excellence as evidenced through programming and/or services (includes utilizing artists, arts and design professionals, and arts educators as appropriate) 
   • Utilizes an effective process to select artists, services, programming, and other elements of artistic production or presentation 
   • Programming aligns with the organization’s overall artistic vision and mission 
3. Community Impact/Artistic Merit (30 points)
   • Organization clearly identifies and defines the demographics of the community it serves 
   • Programs, services, and activities of the organization demonstrate a broad or significant impact on the community 
   • Includes a plan for inclusion and accessibility 

How to Apply

1. Review the current Grant and Award Policies for additional information about the requirements associated with Nevada Arts Council Grants 
2. Review the Application Questions and Support Material (Coming Soon)
3. Complete the application online 
4. Review additional resources for applicants 
5. If you need translation or language assistance, please contact the Grants Program at grants@nevadaculture.org 

*Grant award amount is subject to change based upon available funding.