The Valley Arts Initiative (VAI) Grant Program, administered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation (SCVF), aims to support high-quality arts experiences that enrich community life, promote engagement, and cultivate a vibrant arts ecosystem in the St. Croix Valley. This program is funded in part by a Wisconsin Arts Board (WAB) grant, which SCVF matches and regrants to nonprofits implementing innovative arts programming.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental or tribal entities, educational institutions, and religious organizations, or groups partnering with a fiscal agent. Applicants must provide services within the six-county SCVF service area: Chisago and Washington counties in Minnesota, and Burnett, Polk, St. Croix, and Pierce counties in Wisconsin. Grants can support arts-centered nonprofits with general operating or program support, while non-arts organizations may seek program support for initiatives that deeply engage artists and participants. Activities must occur in spaces accessible to all.

The grant program excludes funding for individual artists, fundraising events, hospitality expenses, travel for out-of-region events, and discriminatory activities. Applicants are encouraged to submit clear, concise proposals using the online application portal, which allows users to save progress and return later to complete their submission.

Applications open on December 9, 2024, with a deadline of January 17, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Grant amounts range from $500 to $5,000, with potential for partial funding. Decisions are made by a knowledgeable review panel in a public meeting, though applicant attendance does not influence outcomes. Notifications will be sent in February, and funds must be expended within one year of the award date.

For questions or assistance, applicants can contact Angie Pilgrim, Vice President of Community Impact at SCVF, via phone or email. Interested organizations are encouraged to review all requirements and prepare their applications promptly to align with the program’s goals of fostering community engagement through the arts.