The National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America supports projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities.
Donor Name: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/24/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Challenge America supports projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. This program welcomes applications from applicants that are primarily small organizations, first-time applicants to the NEA, returning Challenge America applicants, or applicants that have not been recommended for funding in any of the three most recent Fiscal Years (FY 2023, 2024, or 2025) in Grants for Arts Projects, the Town, or Research. The program is rooted in principles that include, but are not limited to, the NEA’s recognition that:
- Some communities have limited grant funding opportunities, and/or have been underserved by national arts funding;
- Some small organizations may face barriers to accessing grant funding; and
- Some applicants to the NEA may benefit from enhanced technical assistance resources.
Challenge America seeks to address these potential barriers for organizations seeking funding for their projects.
Challenge America supports arts projects from a range of arts and non-arts organizations in artistic disciplines that include Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Film & Media Arts, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, and Visual Arts.
Projects must extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. Projects may consist of one or more specific events or activities but cannot cover all of an organization’s seasonal programming. The NEA does not fund general operating support or support for an entire season of programming.
Eligible Activities
Project activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Arts programming, including the commissioning or presentation of artists or artwork;
- Audience and community engagement, including educational activities;
- Marketing and promotional activities; and
- Organizational planning.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $2,800,000
- Award Ceiling: $10,000
- Award Floor: $10,000
Grant Period
Grants awarded in this program generally may cover a period of performance of up to two years.
Eligibility Criteria
- County governments
- Special district governments
- State governments
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- City or township governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
