The 2025-2027 Cultural Arts Awards (CAA), funded by the Sacramento City Council and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, are intended to support nonprofit arts and cultural organizations within Sacramento County. Administered by the Office of Arts and Culture (OAC), this grant program aims to foster the region’s diverse artistic and cultural life through multi-year general operating support. Eligible organizations can receive funding for up to three years, with annual grants ranging from $5,000 to a maximum of 50% of the organization’s total adjusted operating income for fiscal year 2023 or $50,000, whichever is lower.

The application period runs from October 15 to December 15, 2024, with a final submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. PST. Organizations must meet several eligibility criteria, including having 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit status, at least three years of operational history, and active arts or cultural programming within Sacramento County. Additionally, organizations need to demonstrate compliance with previous city or county funding agreements, and must have unrestricted revenue of $25,000 or more in fiscal year 2023. Ineligible entities include fiscally sponsored organizations and those receiving general operating support through existing contracts with the city or county.

Applications will be evaluated based on four main criteria: Organizational Accountability (20%), Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) (20%), Artistic Impact (30%), and Community Impact (30%). The scoring rubric emphasizes financial management, commitment to DEIA practices, artistic quality, and community engagement. A panel of arts and nonprofit professionals will review submissions, and final recommendations will be approved by the Sacramento Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Commission, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, and the Sacramento City Council.

Workshops to assist with grant writing are scheduled for November 14 and November 18, 2024, with grant writing mentors available by appointment from November 18 to December 7. Organizations are encouraged to participate in these sessions to improve their applications. The grant review process will conclude in early 2025, with award notifications expected between March 17 and April 1, 2025. The grant term will begin on April 1, 2025, and run through March 31, 2026, with potential for extension based on funding availability and performance.

The CAA funds may not be used for activities outside Sacramento County, private events, fundraising, religious purposes, capital expenses, or any costs incurred outside the grant period. Grantees are required to submit mid-year and annual reports documenting the use of funds, and payments will be processed only after the contract is fully executed.