The General Operating Support Program is made possible by the County of Onondaga and administered by CNY Arts to provide grant funding for arts and cultural projects, programs, and services for the benefit of the residents and visitors of Onondaga County.
Donor Name: CNY Arts
State: New York
County: Onondaga County (NY)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/17/2025
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The program also recognizes the important role the arts play as an economic driver and keeping Onondaga County an attractive place to live, work, and play. The County has historically funded several mid-sized arts organizations and larger cultural institutions.
General Support represents an investment by Onondaga County in an organization’s primary vision and ongoing work. General support seeks to reward exemplary practice in all areas of administration, finance, programming, and other organizational activities. General Support is awarded on an annual basis.
Funding Tiers
Tier One Qualifications – Cultural Institutions
- Annual budget $800,000 & up
- Established 10 years
- Full time director
- Board of Directors
- Year-round operation
- Annual audit prepared by independent CPA (for organizations with budgets of over $1,000,000) Financial Review Report prepared by an independent CPA (for organizations with budgets under $1,000,000)
- Historically funded by Onondaga County
- Own or operate a venue
Tier Two Qualifications – Midsize Agencies
- Annual Budget $250,000 – $799,999 for three fiscal years prior to applying
- Established 5 years
- Board of directors
- Financial Review Report prepared by an independent CPA
- Historically funded by Onondaga County
- Year-round operation
Tier Three Qualifications – Smaller & New Agencies
- Annual Budget $25,000 – $249,999
- Established 3 years
- Board of directors
- Public component of work, including but not limited to performance, exhibition, arts education, or public discourse.
- Organizations that meet the criteria of Tier One or Two but are not historically funded by Onondaga County
Project Period
January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible, the following criteria must be met:
- Arts and culture is a part of agency mission or represents a significant portion of agency activities
- Have capacity to report on financial status and attendance on an annual basis or upon request
- Have principal office in Onondaga County
- Conduct the majority of its activities in New York State and primarily benefit residents of Onondaga County
- Are designated as a 501(c)(3)
- Have capacity to utilize funds within the grant year
- Have non-discrimination policy in effect
- Must operate in accordance with guidelines for Onondaga County agencies, New York State nonprofit agencies, and 501(c)(3) agencies
For more information, visit CNY Arts.
