2024 Guidelines and Application Instructions


Overview

SVCREATES operating grants, offered in partnership with the County of Santa Clara, provide general operating support for small nonprofit arts and culture organizations that:

  • Reflect the dynamic, diverse, and innovative character of Santa Clara County
  • Demonstrate commitment to equity, inclusion, and artistic vibrancy and relevance
  • Positively impact the County’s cultural ecosystem through active and sustained engagement with audiences, volunteers and artists
  • Pursue organizational sustainability in service to the local community

Note: please see SVCREATESGrant Program Glossary for words in italics.

Two-Year Application Cycle

In 2022, SVCREATES established a two-year application cycle for this grant program. In alternating years, current grant recipients may have the opportunity for grant renewal, dependent on the completion of their grant report and funding available to SVCREATES. Current grantees should refer to their 2023 award notification for details.

In 2024, we will accept new applications for funding from organizations with annual operating budgets between $250,000 and $1.2 million only. This application will open on March 1, 2024. In 2025, we will accept new applications from organizations with annual operating budgets between $10,000 and $250,000.

If you have questions about your eligibility for this grant program, contact Alyssa Erickson, SVCREATES Program Director at alyssae@svcreates.org

Eligibility

        Preview the Application

        A PDF of the application is available for review and download in the sidebar to the right. Note, this is for preview only, applications must be completed on our online platform.

        Application Requirements

        Narrative and data collection questions include:

        • Mission, programming, and audience details
        • Staff and Board demographics
        • Artistic/Program Work samples
        • Financial and budget data, including a financial statement for your most recently completed fiscal year

        Funding Categories for 2024

        Operating grant applicants do not request specific grant amounts. Rather, grant awards are determined by the following factors:

        • Panel ranking and funding recommendation
        • Organization’s annual operating budget
        • The amount of funds allocated for organizational support by the County of Santa Clara

        The grant award amounts represented in the chart below are based on projections for the grant cycle; changes in external economic factors impacting available County funding could shift these amounts.

        Budget Category

        Award Range

        "Middle" Award

        Award Increments

        $250K-$750K

        $6,000-$8,000

        $7,000

        $6,000; $7,000; $8,000

        $750K-$1.2M

        $8,000-$12,000

        $10,000

        $8,000; $10,000; $12,000

        Review Process

        Applicants are grouped by budget size, since organizations with similar sized operating budgets share more organizational characteristics.


        Evaluation Criteria

              Timeline
              • Application Opens: March 1, 2024
              • Application Deadline: April 12, 2024
              • Panel Review Period: May-June, 2024
              • Award Notification: Late June-Early July 2024
              • Payments Made: July-August 2024
              • Grant Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

              Applications for 2024 Operating Grants are now closed. The 2025 grant cycle will open in Spring 2025.

              Key Dates for the 2024 Application Cycle:
              Application Opens: March 1, 2024
              Application Deadline: April 12, 2024
              Grant Period: July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025


              Resources:
              Preview the Application
              Grant Program Glossary

              2024 Grantees
              Click here to view the 2024 Unrestricted Operating Grantees

              2023 Grantees
              Click here to view 2023 SVCREATES’ Unrestricted Operating Grantees

              2022 Grantees
              Click here
              to view 2022 SVCREATES' Unrestricted Operating Grantees


              Questions?
              If you have questions about this program or application, please contact SVCREATES Program Director, Alyssa Erickson.

              Alyssa Erickson
              408-998-2787 ext. 204
              alyssae@svcreates.org

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