Sustaining Impact Grants

The purpose of the Sustaining Impact Grant is to provide general operating support to arts organizations whose programming advances the Fund for the Arts’ Vision, Mission, and Values.  

The application includes three components: Community Impact; Community Engagement; and Operations and Sustainability. 

Eligible organizations:

Have a primary mission that is arts focused.
Are 501(c)(3) organizations with a primary place of business in Greater Louisville, for at least the last three consecutive years.
Offer programming that is accessible to all members of the public in Greater Louisville.
Employ at least one full-time staff or contract person.
Have completed a Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or independent audit for the last three years.
Have received a Fund for the Arts grant in at least one of the last three years and met all reporting requirements.
Have demonstrated evidence of significant levels of community support through earned and contributed revenue.

Please refer to the Grant Guidelines for further information about eligibility, application, and review process.

Timeline:

February 17 – March 21, 2025	Pre-Application open in the Fund for the Arts online grant portal. First-time applicants to the Sustaining Impact Grant submit a pre-application to confirm eligibility. The pre-application is open February 17 – March 21 in the online grant portal.
April 14 – June 13, 2025	Full Application open in the Fund for the Arts online grant portal. Returning and eligible applicants submit an application through the online grant portal. The application is open April 14 – June 13.
Thursday, April 17, 12:00 pm EST	Applicant Information Session on Zoom Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89852854158?pwd=JbvZaMCH2QaQmbfntWbbdFn5KVIkMI.1 Meeting ID: 898 5285 4158 Passcode: 494349 This session is for anyone planning to submit an FY26 Sustaining Impact Grant application. If you cannot attend the session, it is recorded and available to watch below.
Every Tuesday, 4:00 pm EST	Join us for virtual office hours every Tuesday at 4 pm to answer questions related to grant applications, support opportunities, and other additional work of Fund for the Arts. Click here to join the meeting. Virtual Office Hours are available for anyone planning to apply for the 2025-2026 Sustaining Impact Grant, to provide time for questions with FFTA staff. Additional resources include the Grant Guidelines and recorded Applicant Information Session. Attendance and RSVP not required.
Monday, May 27, 11:59 pm EST	Deadline for administrative review of application, and opportunity to update application before final deadline (optional)
Friday, June 13, 11:59 pm EST	Sustaining Impact Grant application due in the Fund for the Arts online grant portal
July 30-August 1, 9 am-5 pm EST	Applicant Interviews with Grant Review Panel Each applicant meets with the Grant Review Panel for up to 30 minutes. Interview date and time will be emailed to applicants by July 1.
By August 29, 2025	Grant Award Notification sent to all applicants via email

Start a New Application

Grant Guidelines

Application for Grant Year 2025 - 2026