The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is currently accepting applications for its Neighborhood Access Program (NAP).
Donor Name: City of Chicago
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/01/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The goal of this program is to support the cultural vitality of every neighborhood via grant programs and partnerships designed to be responsive to the complex needs of individual communities. This program will offer direct grants for all types of place-based arts and culture activities.
Priorities
Priority neighborhoods include:
- Community areas identified through the People’s Plan for Community Safety and My CHI My Future initiatives.
- Additional LMI (Low and Moderate Income) areas that received the lowest number of grant awards in the prior two years of DCASE Cultural Grants programs.
Funding information
Grant requests can range from $5,000 – $50,000.
Grant Period
October 1, 2026 and December 31, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for a Neighborhood Access Program (NAP) grant, the lead applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Be an organization leading the project or the lead artist, producer or curator for the project.
- Must reside/be located in the city of Chicago with a valid street address (no P.O. Boxes)
- Must reside/be located in the neighborhood where the project will take place.
- Must demonstrate at least a one-year history of creating, curating, or producing community and/or creative work that is relevant to the project.
- Must be able to complete a grant contract with the City of Chicago.
- If applying as an individual, must be at least 18 years of age and able to receive grant funds as taxable income.
- The following entities can apply for a NAP grant:
- Any nonprofit organization, Special Service Area (SSA) or Chamber of Commerce with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status, including religious institutions that provide significant services to the community that are non-religious in nature.
- National nonprofit organizations with a Chicago branch.
- Individual artists, cultural producers, or curators.
- Individuals/collectives applying with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status.
- Low-profit limited liability companies (L3Cs).
For more information, visit City of Chicago.
