GTO – General Operating Support for Midsized Organizations | FY26-FY27
Ends on
FY26-FY27 General Operating Support – Midsized Organizations
Deadline: April 7, 2025, 5pm
General Operating Support for Midsized Organizations offers two-year funding to arts, heritage, and culture organizations for general operating expenses. These small two-year grants support organizations in providing public arts and culture experiences.
Funding Amount and Payment Process
ArtsWA’s Grants to Organizations program has experienced exponential growth since the pandemic. Our funds have not kept pace with this growth. Beginning this funding cycle our grants will be smaller than previous years.
- Applicants can request $6,000 for general operating expenses. Funds are distributed in equal portions over two years ($3,000 x 2). Grant amounts may vary depending on available funds and number of applications received.
- ArtsWA grants are reimbursement grants. Payments are made after expenses are incurred, normally at the end of your operating year.
Important Dates
- Application open: March 3, 2025 – April 7, 2025, until 5pm
- Notification of application results: by the last week of May 2025
- Funds cover expenses for the period between July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Two final reports due:
- Fiscal Year 2026 Final Report due July 31, 2026
- Fiscal Year 2027 Final Report due July 31, 2027
Requirements to Apply
- A mission that centers art, culture, and/or heritage.
- Publicly accessible programming.
- At least three years of programming history.
- A physical address located in Washington State.
- An annual operating budget over $100,000 to $350,000.
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit or
- Fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3). Click here for ArtsWA’s Fiscal Sponsorship Requirements
- Local Arts Agency; Must be officially designated to provide art services on behalf of the local government.
- Tribal Government
Ineligible to Apply
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations
- Religious organizations (eligible for project support only)
- Government agencies or departments (unless designated as a Local Arts Agency)
- Universities, colleges, academic departments, and K-12 schools
- Full list of what ArtsWA can and cannot fund as a state agency.
Required Documentation
- IRS Letter of Determination. More information on Letter of Determination here. *Fiscally sponsored groups will use the fiscal sponsor’s IRS Letter of Determination.
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). *Fiscally sponsored groups will use the fiscal sponsor’s UEI.
- Federal Tax ID (EIN). *Fiscally sponsored groups will use the fiscal sponsor’s EIN.
- Statewide Vendor (SWV) number. *Fiscally sponsored groups will use the fiscal sponsor’s SWV.
*If you have previously received payment from Washington State, check on the status of your SWV number here: vendor number lookup or by contacting: PayeeRegistration@ofm.wa.gov. They are good for two years.
- Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI) (all organizations must be registered as a WA Nonprofit/Charity with the Secretary of State).
Apply in Submittable
- ArtsWA uses Submittable to accept applications. Log in or create an account here.
- If you need assistance with Submittable, take a look at our Submittable FAQs.
Evaluation, Scoring, and Notification
Starting with the FY26 funding cycle, we will implement priorities-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 Operating Support Grants
- Businesses located in counties identified by the state as a distressed area: 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.
Priority Scoring
Applications are reviewed for eligibility and scored by staff who make recommendations for funding to ArtsWA’s Board of Commissioners.
Board Approval: Recommendations will go to the ArtsWA Board for approval.
Notification: Notification of award or decline will go out the by or before the last week of May. Awarded applicants can expect their contract and instructions on how to receive funds in the next weeks after notification. Learn more about managing a grant here.
Additional Information
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.
Civil Rights
All applicants for funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) are required to certify that they are following the civil rights statutes that govern nondiscrimination in Federally assisted programs. For a FAQ on Civil Rights for applicants and to ensure your organization complies, click here.
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.
About ArtsWA
ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. The Washington State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts fund our programs. Grants are contingent on available state and federal funding. ArtsWA complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil and human rights. For more information regarding Washington State Arts Commission’s policies on Accessibility, Diversity, and Nondiscrimination, click here.
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 360-485-1524 or ashley.marshall@arts.wa.gov