The 2024 Trenton Arts Fund (TAF) offers one-year grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to support Trenton-based arts, culture, and history organizations, as well as individual artists. Established in 2018 by Trenton residents, the fund is administered through the Princeton Area Community Foundation and aims to enhance Trenton’s cultural landscape while contributing to the city's revitalization. The fund emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and supports a wide range of arts and cultural initiatives that benefit the local community, particularly its young people and families.

Grants can be used for public performances, educational activities, exhibits, and innovative programs. Special consideration is given to projects that engage Trenton’s youth and attract new, younger audiences. Funding may also be applied to general operating expenses, ensuring organizations have the resources they need to sustain their activities. Priority will be given to programs that create transformative experiences, promote community engagement, and revitalize the city through art.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations registered with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. They must also operate within Trenton, maintaining a physical presence in the city. Nonprofits serving as fiscal sponsors for new or emerging groups are also eligible. However, TAF will not fund organizations outside of Trenton, endowment-building, fundraising events, or political activities. The application process requires detailed documentation, including project budgets, mission statements, IRS Form 990, and, if applicable, fiscal sponsor agreements.

The grant application portal opened on October 1, 2024, and the deadline for submissions is November 6, 2024, at 12:00 PM. Late submissions will not be considered. A virtual information session is scheduled for October 9, 2024, to help applicants understand the process, though attendance is optional. Award decisions will be communicated by December 6, 2024. Successful applicants are required to use the funds exclusively for the approved purposes and to submit final reports detailing project outcomes and financial data.

This grant provides a valuable opportunity for Trenton organizations and artists to receive support for programs that enrich the city's cultural fabric. It underscores the importance of the arts in community revitalization and aims to make Trenton a well-known destination for arts and culture.