General Operating Support (GOS) Grants
The Illinois Arts Council's General Operating Support Grants strengthen Illinois arts organizations' capacity and programming, with optional funds for youth employment in the arts.
Funder: Illinois Arts Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027: General Operating Support (GOS) full application deadline (projected) | March 2027: Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) application deadline — submitted with GOS (projected)
Funding Amounts: GOS: Award amounts formula-based; FY26 minimum was $2,500; YEA: Up to $4,500 for up to 4 youth employees per year.
Summary: Provides unrestricted operating support to eligible arts organizations and public entities in Illinois to strengthen ongoing arts programming and capacity.
Key Information: Application must be submitted via IAC Salesforce portal; GATA pre-qualification required.
Description
The Illinois Arts Council's General Operating Support (GOS) Grants provide unrestricted funding to eligible not-for-profit organizations and branches of government whose core work is arts programming. Rather than supporting specific projects, these grants are designed to strengthen the overall capacity and ongoing work of arts organizations, with an emphasis on mission-aligned activities, accessibility, and relevance for diverse Illinois communities.
Applicants may also apply for the optional Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) component, which provides funds to support temporary, intern-style employment opportunities for Illinois youth (ages 14–22) as part of the GOS application.
