The Grassroots Arts Program provides programmatic and operating support for nonprofit arts organizations in Buncombe County.
Donor Name: ArtsAVL
State: North Carolina
County: Buncombe County (NC)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/15/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. The program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties of the state through partnerships with local arts councils. The Buncombe County Grassroots Grant Program is made possible by ArtsAVL, the North Carolina Arts Council, Buncombe County Government, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Funding Information
Grants for FY26 will range from $2,500-7,500 dollars depending on the size of the organization.
Eligibility Criteria
Grassroots Arts Program funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs or operate a nonprofit arts organization. PLEASE NOTE: This grant is NOT for individual artists or non-arts organizations.
Fund Usage
- Program expenses such as: Performances; Festivals; Art exhibitions; Arts camps and after-school programs; Artist residencies for K-12 schools; Artist fees for classes and workshops; Marketing expenses for art walks and studio tours; Royalties, props, sets, and costumes for theater performances; Equipment rental for arts programming; Space rental for arts programming.
- Operating expenses for qualified arts organizations. These can include salaries, telephone, office supplies, printing, postage, rent, utilities, insurance.
- Funding CAN NOT be used to support: Individual applicants; prizes, competitions, scholarships, tuition, or financial awards; art supplies or equipment purchases; fundraising events; purchase of artwork; food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions; capital expenditures; internal school programs such as art programs, band and choral activities and equipment; oral history and history projects; interest on loans, fines, or litigation costs.
- Religious organizations or churches may NOT receive Grassroots funds unless the programs are presented outside regular church services, engage the larger community, and do not contain religious content.
Nonprofits and Fiscal Agents
Organizations must have been in operation for at least one year and be physically located in Buncombe County. While nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is preferred, arts organizations that are nonprofit in nature may also receive Grassroots Arts Program subgrants for programs only by using a fiscal agent to receive the funds on their behalf. Organizations applying via a fiscal agent will receive second priority after arts nonprofits.
For more information, visit ArtsAVL.
