General Operating Support
The Illinois Arts Council's General Operating Support grant funds core activities of nonprofit arts organizations in Illinois and offers optional support for youth employment in the arts.
Funder: Illinois Arts Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027: General Operating Support full application deadline (projected) | March 2027: Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) application deadline (must be submitted with GOS) (projected)
Funding Amounts: GOS: Minimum $2,500 per year (FY26 reference); amount based on formula. YEA: Up to $4,500 for up to 4 youth employees per year.
Summary: Supports Illinois nonprofit arts organizations’ core operations and, optionally, youth employment in the arts.
Key Information: Forecasted dates—check program page for updates. YEA is optional and must be submitted with GOS.
Description
The Illinois Arts Council's General Operating Support (GOS) grant provides flexible funding to not-for-profit organizations that deliver arts programming in Illinois, strengthening their capacity to serve communities and expand access to the arts. The optional Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) grant, submitted as part of the GOS application, offers additional support for hiring Illinois youth (ages 14–22) for arts-related employment. Funding is intended to supplement, not replace, other resources and is subject to annual appropriation.
