Local Arts Program grants are intended to support organizations and programs that serve the public and provide access to a diverse array of quality arts experiences throughout Monmouth County.
Donor Name: Monmouth Arts
State: New Jersey
County: Monmouth County (NJ)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/16/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Types of ArtHelps Grants
There are three types of ArtHelps grants:
- General Operating Support (GOS): General Operating Support grants are available to support the overall operations of nonprofit organizations that are exclusively devoted to the arts.
- For the overall operations of nonprofit organizations that are exclusively devoted to the arts.
- Applicants must have an arts-related primary mission and a current strategic plan
- Requests may not exceed 20% of the organization’s annual operating budget
- Minimum request of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000
- The match requirement has been suspended for 2026.
- GOS grants are awarded with a two-year commitment, subject to contract stipulations and available funds.
- For the overall operations of nonprofit organizations that are exclusively devoted to the arts.
- Special Project Support (SPS): Special Project Grants are available to support organizations with an arts project or event that will occur either once or periodically for a short duration of time.
- For organizations with an arts project or event that will occur once or periodically for a short duration of time.
- Eligible applicants include organizations with an arts mission as well as non-arts organizations, municipal agencies, and educational and religious institutions with an arts-specific project or event
- Requests can be for up to 50% of project or event expenses
- Minimum request of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000
- The match requirement has been suspended for 2026.
- For organizations with an arts project or event that will occur once or periodically for a short duration of time.
- Mini Grant (MG): Mini Grants ($500) are available for arts projects to new and emerging organizations, and organizations requiring a small amount of funding.
- These $500 grants are available for arts projects to new and emerging organizations, and organizations requiring a small amount of funding.
- Intended as an introduction to the ArtHelps grant program.
- Operate on a different schedule than GOS and SPS; applications open for the current year
- Have a simplified application process and a short time frame from application to award
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed every two to three months
- The match requirement has been suspended for 2025.
- Five Mini Grants are currently available for 2025 (as of April 23, 2025)
- Organizations with a fiscal sponsor may apply for Mini Grants.
- These $500 grants are available for arts projects to new and emerging organizations, and organizations requiring a small amount of funding.
Funding Priorities
As part of the efforts to respond to the changing needs of those they serve, Monmouth Arts continues to evolve the programming, operations, and grantmaking. Applicants should show strong initiative in one or more of the following areas:
- Serving the needs of local artists with exemplary programs, opportunities, services, or presentation of work.
- Promoting cultural equity, diversity, and inclusion through projects that elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups, including those that create opportunities for artists and community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) or individuals living with a disability.
- Forging partnerships and collaborations among individuals or organizations, especially those that include different perspectives within the community and connect the arts to other sectors such as economic development, social services, public safety, and health and healing.
- Broadening public participation by attracting more people to the arts, bringing in audiences different from those the organization is already attracting, or deepening experiences by increasing participants’ levels of involvement.
- Advancing and advocating for arts education in schools and lifelong learning through the arts.
- Preserving and conserving art forms and cultural heritage through public presentation.
Grant Period
- General Operating Support (GOS) and Special Project Support (SPS): January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
- Mini Grants: January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
Eligible Costs
- personnel
- artistic fees
- space or other rental costs
- materials and supplies
- volunteer stipends
- intern stipends
- marketing and promotion
- consultant fees
- legal fees for rights to production
- insurance.
Eligibility Criteria
- Monmouth County nonprofit arts organizations and community groups that provide quality arts events that are artistically excellent, accessible to a wide range of residents, and beneficial to the public. These grants are not available to individuals or for-profit businesses and organizations that have a history of providing an active program in the arts for at least two years prior to application. Examples of groups that receive funding:
Deadlines
- General Operating Support and Special Project Support: 16 June, 2025.
- Mini Grants: Rolling.
For more information, visit Monmouth Arts.