Grants up to $15,000 for small arts organizations in Chicago area

The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development supports the management and operations of small arts and cultural organizations in Chicago and Cook County.  The Core Grants  program provides up to $15,000 in funding to offered arts and cultural organizations with operating expenses between $50,000 and $800,000. This grant specifically targets organizational development efforts, such as hiring consultants, improving financial systems,  diversifying earned revenue, strategic planning and other initiatives.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Located in and serving Cook Country;
• A mission focused on presenting, producing, or providing arts programming and/or on serving artists or small arts and cultural organizations;
• A three-year operating history after incorporation as an Illinois nonprofit;
• A current IRS 501(c) (3) public charity designation determination letter;
• ​Annual operating expenses between $50,000 and $800,000, as reflected in the most recently filed I.R.S. Form 990 or audit;
• At least one paid part-time staff and five board members;
• ​If a former Arts Work Fund grant recipient, must have submitted a final report for previous grant activities.

​Applications are received on a rolling basis.  To learn more, click here

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