The Flushing Town Hall (FTH) GO Queens Grant is a funding opportunity aimed at supporting Queens-based performing arts and culture organizations. The program is generously funded by The Howard Gilman Foundation, which honors the legacy of Howard Gilman, a philanthropist who believed in the power of the arts to transform lives. The grant provides general operating support (GOS) to eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations, specifically targeting those with performing arts as a core component of their mission. The primary purpose of the grant is to help these organizations recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and sustain their growth in the community.

FTH will award twenty-five grants of $10,000 each to Queens-based organizations with annual operating budgets under $250,000. These unrestricted funds can be used for various operational expenses, such as staff salaries, office space rental, marketing costs, equipment, supplies, and general day-to-day needs. In some cases, a portion of the funds may also be used for programming in 2025, depending on the organization’s discretion. This initiative aims to help local organizations maintain and grow their operations while enriching the cultural landscape of Queens and New York City.

To be eligible for the grant, organizations must be Queens-based performing arts organizations, or multidisciplinary groups with the performing arts as a central focus of their work. The organization must have been active for at least one year and have a nonprofit status. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate their work’s contribution to the local community and the arts culture of Queens. Organizations that have already received the GO Queens Grant in the previous year are ineligible to apply.

The application process requires the submission of an application narrative, proof of nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship documentation, the most recent operating budget, an overview of key organizational members, and work samples from recent programs. If applying with a fiscal sponsor, additional documentation, such as proof of nonprofit status from the fiscal sponsor and a letter of commitment, is required. Applicants must submit their application via the Submittable platform by December 19, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.

Grantees will be notified by March 2025, and the funds will be disbursed to selected organizations for use during 2025. Throughout the year, grantees will participate in one or two site visits with FTH representatives to discuss the impact of the funding and further strengthen their relationship with the arts institution. At the end of 2025, grantees must submit a final report detailing how the funds were spent and their effect on the organization's operations.

The review process will be conducted by a panel of community leaders and arts professionals, who will score applications based on organizational merit, financial competency, and community impact. The Howard Gilman Foundation's commitment to supporting arts organizations in New York City is central to this initiative, continuing to foster a vibrant and resilient arts community.