[Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta](https://cfgreateratlanta.org)

April 30, 2026 (Full or condensed application, submit by 5:00 p.m. ET)

$7,500 for first-time grantees; $5,000 for returning grantees; one-year general operating support.

General operating support for independent arts organizations in metro Atlanta to increase public access and engagement in arts and cultural programming.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity provides general operating support to independent arts organizations in the metropolitan Atlanta region. Administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the program is designed to strengthen creative enterprises with annual operating budgets between $25,000 and $2 million. Funding is intended to support programming and operations, helping organizations increase public engagement and expand access to diverse art forms throughout the 11-county metro Atlanta area. Both new and returning applicants are welcome, with a streamlined application process available for organizations that have received five or more previous grants. --- ## Due Dates - **April 30, 2026:** Full or condensed Metropolitan Atlanta Arts application deadline (submit online by 5:00 p.m. ET) --- ## Funding Amount - **First-time grantees:** $7,500 (one-year general operating support) - **Returning grantees:** $5,000 (one-year general operating support) - **Total annual funding pool:** Historically no less than $450,000 is distributed across all grantees. - Funds are for general operating support, not project-specific activities. --- ## Eligibility Organizations must meet **all** the following criteria: - **Type:** Independent arts organizations or creative enterprises with a primary mission to create, produce, present, or provide arts and/or cultural services for the public. - **Programming:** At least 70% of programming must be devoted to public art and culture activities. - **Operations:** Must have produced or presented arts/culture programs year-round (at least 8 months). - **Budget:** Annual operating expenses between $25,000 and $2 million (excluding in-kind support) for the last completed fiscal year. - **Geography:** Permanent base and primary programming in at least one of these Georgia counties: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, or Rockdale. - **Legal status:** 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3). - **Good standing:** Must be in good standing with the Foundation and compliant with previous grants. **Ineligible organizations include:** - Those with a primary mission not directly affiliated with arts/culture - Organizations with less than 70% arts/culture programming - Organizations not based in the 11-county metro Atlanta region - Government agencies, private foundations, PreK-12 schools, advocacy/service organizations headquartered outside the region, individuals, and others as detailed in the guidelines --- ## Application Process - **Registration:** All applicants must register in the Foundation’s Grants Portal ([register or log in here](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfga)). - **Application type:** Organizations with five or more previous grants may submit a condensed application (see [eligible organizations list](https://cfgreateratlanta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26-MAA-Orgs-Eligible-for-Condensed.pdf)); all others submit a full application. - **Submission:** Complete and submit all required materials via the online portal by the deadline. - **Required documents:** - Full or condensed application responses - Current and prior year operating budgets (template available) - Optional uploads (e.g., strategic plans, audit, links to representative work) - **Review process:** Applications are checked for eligibility and completeness, ranked by historical funding, and (for full applications) scored by external evaluators on community benefit, artistic/cultural vibrancy, and organizational capacity. - **Award notification:** Grant agreements and notifications issued August–September 2026. --- ## Additional Information - **Reporting:** Grantees must submit a final report within 30 days of grant period completion. - **Payment:** Grants are paid via Bill.com; setup required if awarded ([Bill.com payment instructions](https://cfgreateratlanta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Billdotcom-v5.pdf)). - **Restrictions:** Funds may not be used for academic programs, fundraising, endowments, regranting, religious or political activities, or other restricted uses (see guidelines for full list). - **Support:** Application tips, budget templates, and upload guidance are available on the [grant opportunities page](https://cfgreateratlanta.org/grant-opportunities/). --- ## External Links - [Grant Opportunities Overview](https://cfgreateratlanta.org/grant-opportunities/) - [2026 MAA Guidelines (PDF)](https://cfgreateratlanta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/FINAL.2026-MAA-Grant-Guidelines.pdf) - [MAA Full Application Questions (PDF)](https://cfgreateratlanta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4MC.2026-MAA-Grant-FULL-Application.pdf) - [MAA Organizations Eligible for Condensed Application (PDF)](https://cfgreateratlanta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26-MAA-Orgs-Eligible-for-Condensed.pdf) - [MAA Budget Template (XLSX)](https://cfgreateratlanta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MAA-Grant-Budget-Form.xlsx) - [Grants Portal (Start Application)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfga) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Grant guidelines, eligibility, or application content | [cbaker@cfgreateratlanta.org](mailto:cbaker@cfgreateratlanta.org) (Program Officer: Conrhonda E. Baker) | | Grants Portal/system support | [grants@cfgreateratlanta.org](mailto:grants@cfgreateratlanta.org) | | Bill.com payment status | [sharedservices@cfgreateratlanta.org](mailto:sharedservices@cfgreateratlanta.org) | | Foundation main line | 404.688.5525 | | Foundation address | 191 Peachtree Street NE Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30303 | ---

Metropolitan Atlanta Arts

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