To learn more about this upcoming grant program, please watch the webinar recording.
Deadline to Apply: November 17, 2025
About this grant
Washington’s rural communities often face limited resources to initiate projects that foster belonging, social connection and civic participation, community cohesion, and overall well-being. ArtsWA introduces an exploratory program aimed at bolstering arts and cultural projects that build social connections and a sense of belonging, thereby benefiting the health and well-being of individuals and communities in rural areas of our state.
Our aim is to demonstrate that the arts are a powerful and evidence-supported prescription to heal, stabilize and uplift the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Research shows that participation in the arts can reduce stress, anxiety, social isolation; improve mental health outcomes; and foster improved quality of life. This grant will leverage trusted community partners and social infrastructures like arts & culture nonprofits, libraries, parks, green spaces, community centers, and museums to foster creative collaborative opportunities.
Communities with a strong agriculture-based economy and generational agricultural and food processing workers will be prioritized. Projects must be collaborative between cultural organizations, the community, and at least one other organization or service provider.
Projects can span all creative disciplines and must be fully accessible by the public.
View a full list of what ArtsWA can and cannot fund as a state agency.
Project Requirements
- Project must be open to the public.
- Project must happen between July 1, 2025 – August 30, 2026.
- Project must have arts, heritage, and/or culture as a primary component.
- Project must take place in Washington State.
Funding Amounts and Payment Process Funds are extremely limited. We estimate support for approximately six to eight projects in total. Grant amounts may vary depending on the available funds and number of eligible projects and applications received.
Grants: $3,000 – $5,000
This is a reimbursement grant. Payments are made after funds are spent, and after expense documentation and invoice forms have been submitted to and approved by ArtsWA. This can be anytime within the funding period of July 1, 2025, and August 30, 2026. Because funding is being made available late in the year, projects that are eligible and already in progress may receive reimbursement for expenses already incurred.
Important Dates
- Application Open: October 3, 2025
- Application Deadline: November 17, 2025, 5pm
- Notification of Grant Award: Early December 2025
- Final Report due September 30, 2026
Eligibility
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a mission focused on arts, heritage, or culture
501(c)(3)s must have current state corporate nonprofit status and current federal tax-exempt determination under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a social impact mission – funding must go to distinct projects as opposed to regular programming
Example: a social impact nonprofit may have a music program. This funding would not support the music program but can support a project produced by the music program.
- Groups fiscally sponsored by an arts, heritage, or culture or a social impact 501(c)(3) nonprofit – Click here for more about fiscal sponsorship
- Faith-based organizations may apply
Please note that projects not commonly recognized as open to the public, are an integral part of a specific religion, promote religious observance, worship, instruction, or proselytization are not eligible for this project support program.
- Local Arts Agencies with official designation
Local Arts Agencies are officially designated by a local government to provide art services to the public on behalf of the local government
- Tribal Governments
Ineligible to Apply
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations
- Government agencies and departments (unless designated as Local Arts Agencies)
- Universities, colleges, academic departments, and K-12 schools
Eligibility questions? Contact Miguel Guillén, miguel.guillen@arts.wa.gov, 360-252-9970
Required Documentation and Identifying Numbers
- IRS Letter of Determination. More information on Letter of Determination here.
o Fiscally sponsored groups will use the fiscal sponsor’s IRS Letter of Determination.
- Organization’s Operating Budget
o Fiscally sponsored: Operating budgets for fiscal sponsor and sponsored group
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
o Fiscally sponsored groups will use the fiscal sponsor’s UEI.
- Federal Tax ID (EIN).
o Fiscally sponsored groups will use the fiscal sponsor’s EIN.
- Statewide Vendor (SWV) number. *
o Fiscally sponsored groups will use the fiscal sponsor’s SWV.
o *If you have previously received payment from Washington State, check on the status of your SWV number here or by contacting: PayeeRegistration@ofm.wa.gov.
- Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI)
o All organizations must be registered as a Washington State Nonprofit/Charity with the Secretary of State including Fiscally Sponsored groups.
Application Evaluation, Scoring, and Notification
Starting with the FY26 funding cycle, we will implement priorities-based criteria to ensure our limited funds are distributed equitably. This funding structure and process is strategically designed to maximize support for our growing community while aligning with the objectives in our strategic plan. We seek to keep diverse communities engaged in the creative economy, support the creative sector statewide, and emphasize cultural equity, community diversity, and sector growth.
Priorities for Project Support grants
- Organizations with operating budgets of $0 – $50,000
- Organizations in operation for 1 – 5 years
- Businesses located in counties commonly identified by the state as distressed areas: Clallam, Cowlitz, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, and Yakima
- Organizations serving constituencies consisting of 25% or more of an underserved group.
“Underserved” means populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, historical exclusion and marginalization due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economics, disability, or other social or institutionally imposed barriers.
Priority Scoring
Applications are reviewed for eligibility and scored by priorities by staff who make recommendations for funding based on priorities met.
Approval for funding is made by the ArtsWA Executive Director or ArtsWA Board of Commissioners depending on the size of the grants.
Notification: Notification of award or decline will go out early December 2025.
Apply in Submittable
Submittable is the online platform where you will submit your application.
- If you need assistance with Submittable, take a look at our Submittable FAQs.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this grant, please contact:
Miguel Guillén, Grants to Organizations Program Manager | Contact Miguel