The General Operating Support grant program provides direct funding to arts and cultural organizations in support of ongoing operations.
Donor Name: California Arts Council
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 05/12/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Goals
This grant supports California’s cultural vitality by helping sustain a robust and diverse arts workforce and infrastructure. General Operating grants are intended to support the applicant organization in carrying out its mission. Funds may be used to support any eligible expenses associated with the general operations of an arts or cultural organization, including but not limited to rent, utilities, and staff salaries. Funding is not required to support a specific project.
Funding Information
Applicant organizations can request up to $25,000.
Grant Period
October 1, 2026 — September 30, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations eligible to apply include:
- Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) California organizations
- Units of municipal, county, or tribal governments
- Fiscally sponsored organizations
Requirements
Applicant organizations and fiscal sponsors must meet the requirements below:
- Have a principal place of business in California and a California address.
- Have a minimum two-year history of consistent arts programming and/or services prior to the application deadline.
- Demonstrate proof of nonprofit status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
- Eligible applicant organizations without 501(c)(3) status, please see Fiscal Sponsor Requirements in the 2026 Grants Manual.
- Have “active status” with the California Secretary of State (SOS) showing evidence of “good standing” at the time of application.
For more information, visit California Arts Council.
