[Rochester Area Community Foundation](https://www.racf.org)

February 16, 2026 (Application opens) | March 27, 2026 (Full application deadline, 4 p.m.)

Typical grant size: $5,000–$10,000; one-year awards; funds announced by June 2026.

Supports nonprofit organizations in expanding equitable, high-quality PreK-12 arts education and building capacity across an eight-county region.

--- ## Description This grant program is designed to expand equitable access to arts education for PreK-12 students by supporting nonprofit organizations delivering arts programming in the eight-county region served by the Rochester Area Community Foundation. The grant strengthens the capacity of local arts organizations to provide diverse arts experiences across disciplines—including visual arts, music, dance, and performance—and supports services that reduce barriers to participation, such as transportation, childcare, and food assistance. Funding can also be used for staff and teaching artist professional development to enhance program quality and organizational effectiveness. The program aims to increase arts access, geographic arts equity, and student engagement in the arts. --- ## Due Dates - February 16, 2026: Application window opens - March 27, 2026: Full application submission deadline (4 p.m.) Awards will be announced by June 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - Typical grant size: $5,000–$10,000 per award - Grants are for one year only; multi-year requests are not considered - Both programmatic and capacity-building expenses are eligible - Partial funding may be awarded --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) public organizations - Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status may apply with a qualified fiscal sponsor (additional documentation required) - Must operate in one or more of the following counties: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, or Yates (New York) - Programming must serve PreK-12 students and be delivered at schools or community organizations - Collaborations or partnerships must be identified and documented - Commitment to conducting participant surveys is required - Municipalities or schools may apply if collaborating with an arts organization or teaching artist - Pilot programs are eligible if other funding sources are secured and partners are established - Field trips alone are not eligible unless they include direct engagement with a teaching artist or arts organization; one-day events are excluded --- ## Application Process - Applications are accepted online via the [grant portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=racfg) - New users must create an account; existing users log in with credentials - Required documentation for fiscal sponsorship (if applicable): signed agreement, board approval, board list, and annual operating budget - Application period: February 16 – March 27, 2026 (closes at 4 p.m.) - Decisions announced by June 2026 - Awarded organizations have 14 months from award date to complete programming and submit a final report --- ## Additional Information - Grants are awarded annually; organizations may reapply each year - Receiving a previous grant does not guarantee future funding - Funds cannot be used for expenses related solely to field trips or one-day events - For pilot programs, foundation funding is intended to supplement, not be the sole source of support --- ## External Links - [Program page](https://www.racf.org/grant/vitality-grants-arts-education) - [Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)](https://www.racf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FAQ-Arts-Education.pdf) - [Grant portal (application)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=racfg) - [About the Rochester Area Community Foundation](https://www.racf.org/about/mission-vision/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Title | Email | Phone | |-----------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------|---------------| | Annette Jiménez Gleason | Senior Program Officer | [ajimenezgleason@racf.org](mailto:ajimenezgleason@racf.org) | 585.341.4372 | | Grants Team | - | [grants@racf.org](mailto:grants@racf.org) | 585.271.4100 |

Vitality Grants: Arts Education

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