grant

Impact Projects

California Arts Council

Deadline: deadline unknown
Entry fee: Not listed — check the source
Award: $25,000
Location: California
Exhibition window: Oct 1, 2026 → Sep 30, 2027
Applicants notified: Aug 14, 2026

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About

Arts organizations must propose collaborative projects between California-based artist(s) and community members using artistic practices to address community-defined social issues.

Overview

Impact Projects supports collaborative projects that center artists and artistic practice in responding to issues experienced by historically and systemically under-resourced communities. The program prioritizes California-based artists and forms of arts and cultural expression unique to and/or historically rooted in the communities to be served.

Key dates

Application opens: March 17, 2026
Application deadline: May 12, 2026, 11:59 PM
Panel review: Approximately June—July 2026
Funding decision: August 14, 2026
Funding notification: Approximately August 2026
Grant activity period: October 1, 2026—September 30, 2027
Estimated arrival of funds: January—March 2027
Final report deadline: October 30, 2027

Eligibility

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt California organizations, units of municipal, county, or tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored organizations are eligible. Organizations with total revenues at or above $3 million are not eligible. Applicants cannot apply to both this program and the Arts & Youth program.

Project focus areas

Projects must use artistic practices to impact social issues affecting communities, including but not limited to: systemic marginalization, incarceration/justice systems, arts learning, poverty/economic disparity, health disparities, accessibility for people with disabilities, housing insecurity, violence, food insecurity, cultural/social justice, intergenerational/multigenerational learning, veterans' issues, immigrant/refugee/asylum seeker/migrant issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, environmental sustainability, and climate change/natural disasters/climate refugee issues.

Grant amount

Up to $25,000 per grant. Previous applicants to Reentry Through the Arts and Veterans in the Arts are encouraged to apply through this program.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through the online portal at calartscouncil.smartsimple.com. Before applying, review the full program guidelines for detailed information on program requirements and eligibility.

Office hours

Virtual office sessions are available to provide technical assistance. Advanced registration is required. Sessions include: Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM; Monday, April 13, 2026, 11 AM–12 PM; Friday, April 24, 2026, 11 AM–12 PM.

Contact

For program questions, email impactgrant@arts.ca.gov. Check FAQs before contacting staff. People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf Blind, or have difficulty speaking may dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS).

Award: Up to $25,000 grant
Theme: Grant program
Eligibility: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt California organizations, units of municipal/county/tribal governments, or fiscally sponsored organizations with total revenues below $3 million.
Audience: Arts organizations (nonprofit 501(c)(3), government units, fiscally sponsored organizations)
Contact: impactgrant@arts.ca.gov

Aggregated automatically — verify details at the organizer's site.