The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA), is designed to improve the health and quality of life of military service members and veterans exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers, through arts-based experiences. The program provides cost-share/matching grants for non-clinical arts engagement projects in community, healthcare, or virtual settings. Applications for the 2025 grant cycle are open from November 7, 2024, and close on January 15, 2025. Projects funded by these grants must begin after July 1, 2025.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, and state, local, or tribal government entities with at least three years of experience in delivering arts-based programming for military communities. Examples of successful past applicants range from arts nonprofits focused on military communities, theaters and dance companies expanding their mission, to universities integrating community engagement into their arts and health programs.

The grant program awards approximately 30 matching grants annually, divided into two tiers: emerging projects (up to $10,000 for one year) and advanced projects (up to $25,000 for one year or up to $50,000 for two years). In addition to financial support, grantees benefit from one-on-one consultations, cohort workshops, and opportunities to connect with peer organizations and experts through an annual convening.

Applications are evaluated based on the project's engagement with military communities, its capacity, and its alignment with the program's goals of leveraging arts to promote well-being. Community engagement requirements and administrative criteria must be met, including a robust evaluation and data collection strategy.

The program has a history of impactful support, funding 41 projects in 2024 for a total of $769,136, continuing a legacy of over $750,000 in annual awards since its inception in 2022. Organizations interested in applying can access application guidelines and resources, including a budget template, through the Creative Forces section of the M-AAA website. For further assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact M-AAA directly or consult the Creative Forces National Resource Center.