FY28 Target of Opportunity Grant: Creative Communities Initiatives Guidelines
Grant Snapshot
APPLICATION OPEN:
- Cycle A: May 1, 2027, at 8 a.m. PT
- Cycle B: Nov. 1, 2027, at 8 a.m. PT
- Cycle C: TBD, if funds become available
APPLICATION DEADLINE: At least 30 days before the proposed project (while funds are available)
TIME PERIOD OF SUPPORT:
- Cycle A: Project activities from July 1, 2027 – Dec. 31, 2027
- Cycle B: Project activities from Jan. 1, 2028 – June 30, 2028
- Cycle C: TBD, if funds become available
ELIGIBILITY: Nevada public institutions (City, County, Tribal & State) or Accredited Main Street America Community incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit
GRANT AMOUNT: Up to $7,000*
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 Fiscal Year 2028 (FY28) Target of Opportunity Grant: Creative Communities Initiative (TOG-CCI) supports arts and cultural activities carried out by Nevada’s statewide public institutions and nonprofit Main Street organizations. Funds may be used to support the implementation of arts and culture projects, including art exhibitions, performances, readings, workshops, and festivals.
To offer flexibility and expedite funding, TOG-CCI grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for each cycle. Grant funds are limited, so early submission is encouraged. The application portal will close for each cycle when available funding is expended. Grantees may receive funding for one TOG-CCI per fiscal year.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements must be met at the time of application.
Public Institutions (including federally recognized tribes, state or local government, schools, public libraries, and institutions of higher education):
- Must be based in Nevada
- Must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) assigned from SAM.gov
- Agencies that exist within the same governmental entity are eligible to apply independently when they have different/distinct mission statements and their own separate advisory boards. Multiple departments/facilities within one agency may not apply independently
- Colleges/universities are limited to no more than one grant to the same academic department per fiscal year
- Individual schools and libraries within the same district/system may apply independently if they have their own budget and facility
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
- Must be an Accredited Main Street America Community
*Organizations located in states that border Nevada may apply if most of the project (at least 75%) serves Nevada communities, and all awarded funds are used to support Nevada communities.
Allowable Costs and Restrictions
Funds may be used for:
- Artist fees (applicant, collaborating, presenting, teaching, and production)
- Marketing/promotion
- Materials/supplies
- Permanent equipment (not to exceed $1,000)
- Production costs/materials
- Registration fees
- Travel (accommodations and transportation only, no food/drink)
Funds may NOT be used for:
- Expenses outside the grant period
- Facility costs
- Food, drink, or per diem
- Fundraising
- General operating support, including staff salaries
- Travel outside of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
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
Nevada Arts Council staff will review applications for eligibility, completeness, and adherence to artistic excellence and artist merit. Applications that meet all eligibility and project requirements are awarded in the order in which they are received while funds remain available. A record of the review process is maintained for all applications. The application must demonstrate artistic excellence and artistic merit that includes the following:
- Project Planning and Management (30 points)
- Project is well planned with a realistic timeline
- Demonstrates clear and achievable goals, objectives, and outcomes
- Involves qualified personnel to plan and manage project
- Budget reflects realistic costs and appropriate financial resources to support the project
- Community Impact/Artistic Merit (40 points)
- Clearly identifies and defines the target audience
- Demonstrates plan to reach and communicate information to the target audience
- Demonstrates strategic planning towards inclusive and impactful engagement for the defined community
- Identifies and describes methods to evaluate success, impact, and outcomes
- Project aligns with and supports the organization’s mission and goals
- Demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and accessibility
- Artistic Excellence (30 points)
- Utilizes an effective process to select artists, arts professionals, groups, and/or other elements of artistic production or presentation
- Demonstrates commitment to artistic excellence as evidenced through the artists, arts professionals, and/or groups associated with the project
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 Report 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:
- Federal IRS letter of determination (nonprofits only)
- Assigned UEI number
- Narrative questions, such as:
- History, mission
- Project details, goals, objectives
- Project management staff
- Participating artists
- Evaluation methods and goals
- Primary and secondary contacts, grant authorizing official
- Budget information, such as:
- Proposed use of grant expenses
- Full project 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.
