Community Micro Grant Program

The Newton Community Pride (NCP) Micro Grant Program provides funding to local organizations, artists, public art initiatives, service projects, and non-profits within the City of Newton. Since 2021, NCP has distributed over $40,000 to support creative and arts-focused programming in the community. The program aims to foster cultural engagement, community enrichment, and beautification efforts.

For the Spring 2025 grant cycle, NCP is offering two distinct funding opportunities: the standard NCP Community Micro Grant and a special Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts Grant. The Festival of the Arts is an annual celebration showcasing musicians, artists, thespians, and creatives. In 2025, it will take place over six weeks from May 17 to June 29, and all grantees under this category will be featured in promotional materials and the festival’s master calendar of events.

Applicants for the Festival of the Arts Grant must ensure that their events take place between May 18 and June 29, 2025. Events hosted at the War Memorial Auditorium at City Hall will have rental fees waived, though these events must be free to the public. Programs at other venues may charge admission, but priority will be given to free events. If an applicant seeks to use the War Memorial, they must check availability and confirm the reservation before applying.

For the standard Community Micro Grant, the event or program must occur between April 1 and November 1, 2025. The grant can fund a wide range of projects as long as they align with NCP’s mission of building community through free arts and culture programming, public art, beautification, and service projects.

The maximum grant request is $1,500, with past awards averaging between $300 and $1,100. Grant funding will be disbursed 15 days before the event or program. Applicants must provide an event or program budget, the most recent 990 tax form (if applicable), and proof of venue reservation. If the event requires approval from the City of Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture Department, the applicant must submit the relevant permit application and approval documentation.

Priority will be given to first-time applicants, programs that offer free community programming, and organizations that have not received an NCP grant in the previous cycle, with the exception of Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts grantees. Additionally, NCP encourages projects that embrace the diversity of Newton and amplify the voices of historically marginalized groups.

Certain types of requests are ineligible, including public school programs, requests for food and beverages, scholarships, capital improvement projects, or events supporting political or religious causes. If an event or project is delayed for more than one year after receiving funding, NCP reserves the right to request a return of funds. The application deadline for the Spring 2025 cycle is February 28, 2025, at 5:00 PM, with grant decisions announced by March 21, 2025.