The Arts Work Fund’s THINK • EXPLORE • SHARE grant initiative provides adaptation grants to arts organizations and collaborative groups of arts organizations to address the challenges of a shifting arts environment. These grants are not intended to cover ongoing or regular operational costs but instead support organizations as they plan for and enact shifts in organizational structure, operations, and financial practices. The primary aim is to help organizations navigate critical transitions, redefine key partnerships, and build resilience to better meet their missions in a sustainable way.

Priority is given to projects that show clear capacity-building goals, meaningful organizational impact, and sustainable improvements to structures or processes. At least 65 percent of grant funds are reserved for arts organizations led by, for, and about Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Applications are reviewed by a panel of artists, arts administrators, and Arts Work Fund funders. Applicants are not required to propose entirely new ideas; funding can support ongoing adaptation efforts or supplement larger projects. Only one grant may be applied for at a time, and organizations may choose to apply directly for an EXPLORE grant without first receiving a THINK grant.

Eligible applicants must have an arts-based mission and be located in and serving Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. Organizations must either have IRS 501(c)(3) public charity status or be fiscally sponsored by an organization with such status. BIPOC-led organizations with operating budgets under $2 million and other arts organizations with budgets under $800,000 are eligible. Cross-sector collaborations are eligible if they benefit the arts organizations substantially. Collaborative proposals may include partners outside AWF's typical budget guidelines but must distribute resources equitably.

Applications must adhere to AWF's guidelines, and several types of projects are not eligible for funding, including proposals for general operating support, creative production, or ongoing programming. Universities, religious entities, and requests for equipment, audits, or debt reduction are also ineligible. Selection is based on criteria evaluating the clarity of the organizational need, the relevance of the adaptation proposed, feasibility and strength of the plan and budget, the organization's capacity to carry out the project, and the expected organizational impact. EXPLORE grants are also evaluated for broader field learning potential.

The grant deadlines for upcoming cycles are December 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CT (decisions announced in March), May 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CT (decisions in July), and August 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CT (decisions in December). Currently, the Thrive Grant program remains inactive. For more information, applicants can contact Marcia Festen, the Director of the Arts Work Fund, at 773-296-2601.