Grants for Organizations
Grants for Organizations supports Maryland arts organizations and public arts programs with operating funds to sustain arts access, develop future audiences, and strengthen communities.
Funder: Maryland State Arts Council
Due Dates: November 15, 2026 (FY2028 application) | March 1, 2027 (Updated financial statements, if applicable) | November 15, 2027 (FY2029 application) | November 15, 2028 (FY2030 application) | November 15, 2029 (FY2031 application)
Funding Amounts: Formula-based annual awards, up to $1 million for FY2028 (July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028)
Summary: Operating support for Maryland arts organizations and ongoing public arts programs that sustain arts access and strengthen communities.
Key Information: New applicants must receive eligibility approval through an Intent to Apply before submitting a full application.
Description
The Maryland State Arts Council’s Grants for Organizations (GFO) program provides annual operating support to strengthen and sustain Maryland’s arts infrastructure. It supports organizations that produce or present ongoing arts programming open to the public, helping communities maintain access to the arts, develop future audiences, and generate economic impact.
General Operating Grants support organizations whose mission is producing or presenting the arts. Arts Program Grants support ongoing public arts activities within organizations whose primary mission is not the arts, including eligible government and educational institutions. The program’s funding formula groups applicants into five income tiers, directing proportionally greater support toward smaller organizations. FY2028 is the final year of a five-year phase-in of this equitable funding approach.
