FY28/29 Operating Support Grant Guidelines
Substantive Changes Summary: FY26/27 vs FY28/29 OSG Guidelines
The proposed FY28/29 Operating Support Grant guidelines introduce higher funding levels, broader eligibility, and an optional arts learning funding add-on. It also provides clarity on allowable-cost rules and required application materials. The proposed grant program will be more accessible for smaller organizations and emphasize arts learning activities.
Clarifications:
- Allowable Costs: Allowable costs have not changed from the previous fiscal year, but an explicit list of allowable and non-allowable costs have been added.
- Application Materials: A more detailed list of required application materials (narrative questions, documentation, budget, work samples) has been provided.
Changes:
- Application Open/Close Dates: The grant program application will be moved up from a summer to a winter/spring deadline. The FY26/27 application opened May 1, 2025, and closed July 1, 2025. The FY28/29 application will open Jan. 4, 2027, and close March 1, 2027.
- Possible Award Amount: In FY26/27, the total possible award amount was up to $50,000 total ($25,000 per year). In FY28/29 will be up to $64,000 in total ($32,000 per year).
- Removal of Named Staff Contacts: FY28 replaces direct staff contacts with a centralized Contact Us form.
- Reporting Deadlines: FY26/27 interim and final reports were due June 30, 2026/2027. To allow organizations time to gather required financial data, the FY28/29 interim and final reports will be due July 31, 2028/2029.
- Funding Levels: The total number of organization funding levels will be reduced from 5 to 4, and the maximum possible award amount will be adjusted upward for each level. Level 1 organizations must have an annual total revenue of $10,000 – $99,999 and may request up to $7,000; Level 2 annual total revenue of $100,000 – $249,999, may request up to $12,000; Level 3 annual total revenue of $250,000 – $999,999, may request up to $22,000; Level 4 annual total revenue of $1 million or more, may request up to $27,000. Up to $5,000 more can also be requested by those organizations that apply for the Arts Learning Component but they must be used for arts education operating costs.
- Staff Requirements: The FY26/27 policy of “At least one paid part-time or full-time employee required for Levels 2–5” will be changed in FY28/29 to requiring at least one W-2 employee for Levels 3 to 4 only.
- Programming History: Applicants previously had to demonstrate three previous years of programming but will now only have to demonstrate one year.
FY28/29 Operating Support Grant Guidelines
Grant Snapshot
APPLICATION OPEN: Jan. 4, 2027, at 8 a.m. PT
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2027, at 5 p.m. PT
TIME PERIOD OF SUPPORT:
- Year 1: July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028
- Year 2: July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029
ELIGIBILITY: Nevada incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations
GRANT AMOUNT: Up to $64,000 ($32,000 per fiscal year) based on budget*
REQUIRED MATCH: 1:1 cash or in-kind match
CONTACT: If you have any questions, please fill out this Contact Us form and select “Community Arts Development” program area.
How the Program Works
The Operating Support Grant (OSG) strengthens Nevada’s arts infrastructure by supporting general operations of nonprofit arts organizations throughout the state. The most competitive applicants offer ongoing, sustained, accessible programs and arts services or artistic programming in their communities.
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. There are two separate payments during the two-year grant cycle:
- Grantees must complete their Award Packet within 30 days of the receipt to receive Year 1 of their OSG funding (50% of total award)
- Grantees must complete the Interim Report online with all applicable support materials by July 31, 2028
- Upon approval of the Interim Report, grantees will receive Year 2 of their OSG funding (50% of total award)
- Grantees must complete the Final Report online by July 31, 2029, to remain in compliance and eligible for future Nevada Arts Council grants
Arts Learning Component Funding
To support and expand arts learning programming offered by Nevada’s nonprofit arts organizations, OSG applicants may also apply for Arts Learning Component (ALC) funding. This add-on funding opportunity of up to $5,000 (1:1 cash match) is designed to support arts organizations with existing arts learning programs, and to encourage other arts organizations to establish an arts learning program as part of their portfolio of services. ALC application material is reviewed by panelists using the ALC review criteria (see below).
Eligibility
501(c)(3) Nonprofits:
- Must be based in Nevada
- Must have federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
- Must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) assigned from SAM.gov
- Must have active incorporation status with the Nevada Secretary of State
- Show an annual total revenue of at least $10,000 in your organization’s most recently completed fiscal year (based on most recent IRS 990 form)
- Must have a mission that describes the arts as the primary purpose of the organization
- Provide significant arts programs or services on a seasonal or ongoing basis throughout the year (this grant does not fund organizations whose primary focus is a single event)
- Have at least one part-time or full-time W-2 employee (Levels 3-4 only)
- Demonstrate at least one previous year of effective arts-related programming
Funding Levels
An organization’s grant request level is based on the total revenue reported on the IRS Form 990 or 990-N from their most recently completed fiscal year (as of the grant deadline date). Small organizations with a total annual revenue of less than $50,000 that do not file Form 990-N may submit an internal profit and loss statement. Depending on availability of funds, the organization’s award amount will be the same for each year of the grant.
| Funding Level | If your annual total revenue is: | You may request OSG funds up to: | Possible annual total with ALC funds: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $10,000 – $99,999 | $7,000 | $12,000 |
| Level 2 | $100,000 – $249,999 | $12,000 | $17,000 |
| Level 3 | $250,000 – $999,999 | $22,000 | $27,000 |
| Level 4 | $1 million or more | $27,000 | $32,000 |
Allowable Costs and Restrictions
Operating Support Grant funds may be used for:
- Administrative salaries and benefits
- Payroll expenses
- Insurance
- Facility space rental
- Utilities
- Contracted and professional services
Arts Learning Component funds must be used for arts education operating costs. ALC grant funds may be used for:
- Payroll expenses
- Facility space rental
- Contracted and professional services
OSG/ALC funds may NOT be used for:
- Expenses outside the grant period
- Fundraising
For a full list of non-allowable expenses, see the Funding Restrictions in the current Grant and Award Policies. Grant funds may be disbursed as an advance payment upon receipt of the signed terms and conditions or as reimbursement.
Review Process/Criteria
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 Review Process in the Grant and Award Policies.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Arts Learning Component (100 points)
- Project Design and Focus (25 points):
- Clearly identifies achievable goals with an appropriate connection to Arts Education, Arts Integration, Arts and Health, or Arts for Social Development
- Describes proposed educational content and alignment with Nevada Academic Content Standards for Fine Arts and/or English Language Arts and Social Studies (Pre-K-12 only)
- Project Management (25 points):
- Demonstrates effective methods for assessing and evaluating learning in arts
- Provides a clear, realistic timeline and budget with appropriate management and financial resources
- Arts Learning Impact (25 points):
- Defines target audience and their challenges or needs
- Demonstrates a marketing or promotion plan for reaching them
- Artistic excellence (25 points):
- Utilizes an effective process for selecting qualified teaching artists and educators who have experience and success in their artistic medium
- Project Design and Focus (25 points):
Programming & Reporting Requirements
All grant funded projects/activities must be completed within the grant period of performance. Documentation of the use of grant funds must be provided in the Final Report and must align with proposed expense categories. To stay in compliance and remain eligible for future Nevada Arts Council grants, grantees must submit the Final and Interim Reports by the deadline stated in the award packet.
How to Apply
- Review the current Grant and Award Policies for additional information about the requirements associated with Nevada Arts Council grants. Grant terms and conditions are subject to changing state and federal regulations during the grant period of performance. The Nevada Arts Council will post and inform awardees of any changes if/as soon as they are available.
- Complete the application online.
Resources
Before filling out this application, gather the following narratives and support materials to make the process easier:
- Organizational documentation, such as:
- Most recent Form 990/990-N or P&L statement
- Federal IRS letter of determination
- Assigned UEI number
- Narrative questions, such as:
- History, mission, strategic plan, programming
- Board, staff, artists, and administrative structure
- Participating artists
- Primary and secondary contacts, grant authorizing official
- Arts education programming (if applicable)
- Budget information, such as:
- Proposed use of grant expenses
- Current and projected organizational budget
- Cash or in-kind match information
- Additional support material, such as:
- Artistic work samples
- Marketing and publicity samples
- Evaluation forms, contracts, letters of agreement
- Organizational printed materials
Review additional resources for applicants.
If you need translation or language assistance, please contact the Grants Program at [email protected].
*Requested and awarded grant award amount is subject to change based upon available funding, review criteria, and Nevada Arts Council Board approval.
