The Mass Cultural Council’s Operating Grants for Organizations program offers multi-year, unrestricted operating support to nonprofit organizations and cultural affiliates that contribute to the cultural vitality of Massachusetts. The program is designed to support a diverse and equitable cultural sector in the Commonwealth, particularly organizations that have historically been underfunded. The current application round is for funding to be awarded in Fiscal Year 2026, which runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The next application opportunity will open in 2027 for FY28 funding. This program offers accessibility support including alternative formats, translation, and interpretation services. Materials are available in Spanish, and additional accommodations are offered to ensure broad participation.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with active 501(c)(3) status and Massachusetts registration, as well as cultural affiliates of governmental or academic institutions. Cultural affiliates must meet specific criteria such as managing their own budgets and employing at least one full-time administrative staff member. All applicants must be primarily engaged in the arts, humanities, or sciences, and over 50 percent of their programmatic activities must occur in Massachusetts. Applicants must also demonstrate public benefit through accessible programming, rather than serving limited or private audiences. Organizations must submit an Access Plan that shows compliance with or progression toward the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Applicants are required to submit narrative and financial components. The narrative includes a general overview and responses to required questions on equity and support for artists, humanists, and scientists, along with one optional question on either community engagement or sector advancement. Financial documentation includes three years of tax returns (Form 990 or 990EZ) or a completed budget form for cultural affiliates. Applications are reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and evaluated by a diverse review panel. Scores are based 75 percent on the narrative and 25 percent on priority criteria such as BIPOC-centered leadership, participation in accessibility and equity initiatives, and whether the applicant is new or recently unfunded.

The anticipated minimum award is $6,000, and grant amounts are based on a formula using a three-year average of cash expenses, adjusted by equity priorities. FY25 awards ranged from $6,000 to $55,000. Grants are renewable annually for up to four years, with award amounts recalculated each year. Applicants can only receive funding from one eligible Mass Cultural Council program in a given fiscal year. Specific funding restrictions apply to organizations currently receiving other forms of Council support.

Key application dates include an opening date of February 18, 2025, an information session on February 25, 2025, and a submission deadline of April 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Notifications will be sent in September 2025. Annual reports, including financial documentation, are due by June 2, 2026, with a grace period until June 9. Failure to meet reporting deadlines may result in penalties or suspension from future funding cycles.

For assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact the Mass Cultural Council staff or call 617-858-2825. Applications must be submitted through the grants management system. Instructions for account creation, resetting passwords, and application submission are provided online. Mass Cultural Council maintains strict non-discrimination and accessibility policies and offers support to grantees to meet compliance requirements.