Cultural Funding Grant Program 2025-2026

The 2025-26 Cultural Funding Grant Program (CFGP) is administered by the City of Ventura to support local nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. The program’s goals align with Ventura’s General Plan and emphasize strengthening Ventura’s cultural infrastructure, expanding community access to arts and cultural opportunities, promoting economic development and tourism through arts and culture, and enhancing lifelong arts education for all ages.

The total funding available for this cycle is $103,000, consisting of $90,000 in annual allocations and $13,000 rolled over from the previous year. Individual grant awards will range from $1,000 to $20,000. Organizations with annual budgets under $10,000 may only request up to $1,000, and all grant requests may not exceed 10% of the organization’s annual budget.

Grant funds may be used for projects, programs, initiatives, services, and general operating expenses that benefit City of Ventura residents. Applications are evaluated by a panel of 3 to 5 members from Ventura County, with representatives from the arts, culture, education, and community sectors. To be eligible for funding, organizations must receive an average score of 11 or higher from the review panel.

The application period opens on February 26, 2025, and all materials must be submitted by March 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST via the City’s online grant portal. Applicants must request access to the portal by March 24, 2025, before 1:00 PM PST by emailing culturalfunding@cityofventura.ca.gov. Funding recommendations will be reviewed by the Arts and Culture Commission and finalized in July or August 2025. Grant agreements will be signed and funds distributed after that.

Eligible applicants must be Ventura-based nonprofit arts or cultural organizations with 501(c)(3) status or a Ventura County-based fiscal agent. Funded programs must directly benefit Ventura residents and align with the grant program’s goals. Applicants must also have current liability insurance ($2 million aggregate, $1 million per occurrence) and demonstrate compliance with past City grants (if applicable). Religious, political, and lobbying activities are not eligible, nor are debt payments, hospitality expenses, or expenses incurred outside the funding period.

Applicants can attend optional Q&A workshops at Ventura City Hall on March 6, 2025 (4:00-6:00 PM) and March 13, 2025 (12:00-2:00 PM) in the Santa Cruz Meeting Room. Additional support is available by contacting Rebecca Ellis, Recreation Manager, at culturalfunding@cityofventura.ca.gov or 805-654-7510.