Arts & Entertainment

Grant Applications Open for Nonprofit Arts Organizations in Chicago Impacted by Federal Funding Cuts

Applications are open for a city grant program aimed at Chicago arts organizations affected by federal funding cuts.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will give one-time emergency grants between $10,000 to $25,000 to eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Chicago impacted by recent federal funding cuts.

Priority will be given to organizations previously awarded funding by the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services or other affected federal agencies, according to a DCASE news release.

“Chicago’s arts and culture organizations are integral to the fabric of our neighborhoods, and they deserve our full support in times of crisis,” DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth said in a statement. “This fund is not just about financial recovery — it’s about protecting cultural equity, safeguarding creative jobs, and keeping the arts alive in every corner of our city.”

Applications close on Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. Arts organizations will be notified in October, and grants are expected to be disbursed in December, according to a news release.

To qualify, applicants must be Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a primary mission in arts and culture. They also must have been directly affected by a notice of termination or withdrawal of federal funding this year.

Grant amounts will be determined by DCASE based on scope of loss, urgency and impact.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of external arts experts with an emphasis on equity, geographic diversity and community benefit. Applicants must also upload documentation of the terminated federal grant, a project budget, organizational financials and related materials.

More information can be found on DCASE’s website.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]

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