GTO - Cultivating Healthy Communities - Arts, Health, and Well-Being in Rural Communities | FY27

Ends on

FY27 - GTO - Cultivating Healthy Communities - Arts, Health, and Well-Being in Rural Communities

Application closes Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 5:00 pm

Grant Overview

Washington's rural communities often face limited resources to launch projects that foster belonging, social connection, civic participation, community cohesion, and overall well-being. ArtsWA's Cultivating Healthy Communities – Arts, Health, and Well-Being in Rural Communities program aims to strengthen arts and cultural initiatives that build social connections and a sense of belonging while supporting the health and well-being of individuals and communities across rural Washington.

Grounded in research demonstrating that participation in the arts can reduce stress, anxiety, and social isolation, improve mental health outcomes, and enhance quality of life, the program recognizes the arts as a powerful, evidence-based tool for healing, stability, and community vitality. Through collaboration with trusted community partners and social infrastructures—including arts and culture nonprofits, libraries, parks and green spaces, community centers, and museums—the grant seeks to create meaningful opportunities that connect people and strengthen rural communities.

  • Projects must be collaborative between cultural organizations, the community, and at least one other organization or service provider.
  • Projects can span all creative disciplines and must be fully accessible by the public.
  • Organizations that received funding during the FY26 pilot phase of the Cultivating Healthy Communities – Arts, Health, and Well-Being in Rural Communities will be prioritized.
  • Communities with a strong agriculture-based economy and generational agricultural and food processing workers will be prioritized.
  • ArtsWA supports projects offering in-person, participatory activities.
  • Online activities that alleviate isolation and loneliness, especially among older adults, are also welcome if structured collaboratively with a service provider experienced with the community you seek to engage.

Funding Amounts

Grant amounts may vary depending on the available funds and number of eligible projects and applications received.  

Grants: $3,000 - $5,000  

This is a reimbursement grant. Payments are made after funds are spent, and after expense documentation and invoice forms have been submitted to and approved by ArtsWA.

Important Dates

  • Application opens: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
  • Info session: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, | Registration Link
  • Office hours: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, | Registration Link
  • Application closes: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
  • Notification of grant award: by Thursday, November 12, 2026
  • Timeframe to spend funds: July 1, 2026 – August 30, 2027
  • Final report due: September 30, 2027

Eligibility

Applicant Eligibility

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a mission focused on arts, heritage, or culture   
  • 501(c)(3)s’ must have current state corporate nonprofit status and current federal tax-exempt determination under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a social impact mission – funding must go to distinct projects as opposed to regular programming   
  • Example: a social impact nonprofit may have a music program. This funding would not support the music program but can support a project produced by the music program. 
  • Groups fiscally sponsored by an arts, heritage, or culture or a social impact 501(c)(3) nonprofit – Click here for more about fiscal sponsorship 
  • Faith-based organizations may apply  
  • Please note that projects not commonly recognized as open to the public, are an integral part of a specific religion, promote religious observance, worship, instruction, or proselytization are not eligible for this project support program.   
  • Local Arts Agencies with official designation 
  • Local Arts Agencies are officially designated by a local government to provide art services to the public on behalf of the local government 
  • Tribal Governments

Ineligible to Apply 

  • Individuals  
  • For-profit organizations 
  • Government agencies and departments (unless designated as Local Arts Agencies) 
  • Universities, colleges, academic departments, and K-12 schools 

Eligibility questions? Contact Miguel Guillén, miguel.guillen@arts.wa.gov, 360-252-9970 

Project Eligibility

  • Project must be open to the public.  
  • Project must happen between July 1, 2026 – August 30, 2027.*
  • Project must have arts, heritage, and/or culture as a primary component. 
  • Project must take place in Washington State.

*Because funding is being made available late in the year, projects that are eligible and already in progress but not completed may receive reimbursement for expenses already incurred

Allowable Expenses

What we can fund:

Project-specific expense examples:

  • Artists fees
  • Administrative costs
  • Marketing costs

What we cannot fund:

  • Individuals  
  • For-profit organizations 
  • Government agencies and departments (unless designated as Local Arts Agencies) 
  • Universities, colleges, academic departments, and K-12 schools

View a full list of what ArtsWA can and cannot fund as a state agency.

Application Required Documents and Numbers

*If you have previously received payment from Washington State, check on the status of your SWV number here or by contacting: PayeeRegistration@ofm.wa.gov.

Funding Priorities

Starting with the FY26 funding cycle, we've implemented priority-based criteria to ensure our limited funds are distributed equitably. This funding structure and process is strategically designed to maximize support for our growing community while aligning with the objectives in our strategic plan. We seek to keep diverse communities engaged in the creative economy, support the creative sector statewide, and emphasize cultural equity, community diversity, and sector growth.

Priorities for Project Support grants 

  • Organizations with operating budgets of $0 - $50,000
  • Organizations in operation for 1 – 5 years
  • Businesses located in counties commonly identified by the state as distressed areas: Clallam, Cowlitz, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, and Yakima
  • Organizations serving constituencies consisting of 25% or more of an underserved* group.

*"Underserved" means populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, historical exclusion and marginalization due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, economics, disability, or other social or institutionally imposed barriers.

Grant Process

  • Applications are reviewed for eligibility and scored by priority, with staff making funding recommendations based on priorities met. Approval for funding is made by the ArtsWA Executive Director or ArtsWA Board of Commissioners depending on the size of the grants.
  • Notifications are sent via email and Submittable notifications.
  • Awarded organizations will receive follow-up instructions on important deadlines and next steps.
  • Contracts are sent to your organization or fiscal sponsor’s Authorized Official.
  • Submit a Grant Reimbursement Form on or before August 30, 2027.
  • Submit a Final Report Form on or before September 30, 2027.

Additional Information

Executive Orders 

This grant program is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency that requires compliance with applicable Executive Orders. If awarded funds through this program, grant recipients must attest to compliance. Below are the two Attestations that must be agreed to, to receive funding.

 I certify that our organization is in compliance with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, and that such compliance is material to the U.S. Government’s payment decisions for purposes of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729(b)(4), pursuant to Executive Order No. 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, dated January 21, 2025.

I certify that our organization does not operate any programs promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, in accordance with Executive Order No. 14173.

Accessibility 

Federally funded projects must be accessible to people with disabilities. You can use this accessibility checklist when planning your programs. You do not need to check all boxes to be eligible for funding; this is simply a worksheet and resource for your organization.

Appeals 

Unsuccessful applicants can appeal in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 30.12.036, found here: http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=30-12-036. 

Contact Us 

Miguel Guillén, Grants to Organizations, Program Manager at 360-252-9970 or miguel.guillen@arts.wa.gov

Ashley Marshall, Grants to Organizations, Program Assistant at ashley.marshall@arts.wa.gov

If you need assistance with Submittable, take a look at our Submittable FAQs. 

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
Continue