The Public Value Partnerships (PVP) grant program is administered by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA) and is designed to provide general operating support to nonprofit cultural organizations based in New Hampshire. This grant aims to bolster the state’s cultural infrastructure and strengthen the creative economy by funding organizations that offer sustained, high-quality artistic programming and outreach services to the public. The initiative emphasizes accessibility, ensuring that arts experiences are available to all citizens of New Hampshire, particularly through outreach and community engagement.

The PVP grant provides unrestricted operational funding of up to $15,000 per year for a two-year period covering fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Applicants may not request more than 10% of their income from the previous fiscal year. A 10:1 match is required, and applicants are encouraged to strengthen their applications through robust in-kind or cash matching funds. Allowable expenditures include salaries, artist fees, facility costs, office supplies, equipment, and marketing, but may not include costs related to fundraising, lobbying, deficits, endowments, capital projects, or expenses already funded by other NHSCA grants.

To be eligible, organizations must be incorporated in New Hampshire, possess 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and have been operating as an arts organization for at least five years. Additional eligibility requirements include a paid, full-time arts administrator; an independent Board of Directors or Advisory Board; a long-range plan for the grant period; ADA compliance; and good standing with state agencies. Applicants must also possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov and cannot be listed on federal debarment lists. Colleges, libraries, or schools may only apply under specific conditions relating to their arts-focused missions and public programming.

Applications must be submitted through Submittable by 11:59 pm EST on April 25, 2025. While drafts may be submitted for feedback via email, final applications must be submitted online and late applications will not be accepted. Required uploads include answers to narrative questions, budget forms, financial documentation, work samples, and legal compliance documents. Evaluation criteria include the quality of arts programming, administrative capacity, public benefit, and measurable outcomes. Reports are due after each year of funding, with penalties for noncompliance including ineligibility for future NHSCA funding.

Grants are awarded following a panel review process, with recommendations approved by the State Arts Council and, if necessary, the Governor and Executive Council. Payment timelines vary, especially for awards over $10,000. Recipients are expected to meet accessibility standards and may be invited to in-person meetings to review their interim reports. Awardees must return their grant agreements by January 15 of the fiscal year in which the award is made and must retain all grant-related records for four years.

Applicants with questions about the grant program can contact Christina Hoppe, Grants Officer, at Christina.M.Hoppe@dncr.nh.gov or 603-271-7926. Accessibility inquiries can be directed to Emily Killinger at Emily.R.Killinger@dncr.nh.gov or 603-271-0790. Technical support for Submittable is available at support@submittable.com.