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Application for Grant Year 2026 - 2027

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. Grant Guidelines for the grant year 2026-2027 are being updated and will be posted here soon. 

Anticipated Timeline: 

February 16 – March 20, 2026 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. Organizations that received a Sustaining Impact Grant in a previous grant cycle, but it has been three or more fiscal years since the last grant award, should also complete the pre-application to verify eligibility. The pre-application is open February 16 – March 20 in the online grant portal.
April 13 – June 12, 2026 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 13 – June 19.
Friday, April 17, 12:00 pm EST Applicant Information Session on Zoom

  • Join Zoom Meeting 
  • https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84693763367?pwd=KnHfYjQbiFZQSB2NJukHNPtXatlXIb.1
  • Meeting ID: 846 9376 3367
  • Passcode: 4011824

This session is for anyone planning to submit an FY27 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 2026-2027 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.
Tuesday, May 26, 11:59 pm EST Deadline for administrative review of application, and opportunity to update application before final deadline (optional)
Friday, June 12, 11:59 pm EST Sustaining Impact Grant application due in the Fund for the Arts online grant portal
July 29-31, 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 31, 2026 Grant Award Notification sent to all applicants via email

Click here to start a new application

Click here to access a saved application via the online grant portal

How to create a new account in the updated Applicant Portal 

FY26 Grant Guidelines

Grant Guidelines for the grant year 2026-2027 are being updated and will be posted here soon.

 

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