FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Search here for local, regional, and national funding opportunities. If you notice any funding agencies or opportunities that are missing, please submit your information to [email protected] and we would be glad to add it to our page. Please note that listings without deadlines indicate applications that are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information on any of these opportunities, please contact the foundation or funding agency directly. Additional resources:
Funding Opportunities for Organizations:
The Carnahan-Jackson Foundation is a trust that was created and operates for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.
- Grant Range: $1,000- $150,000
- Funding Focus: Libraries, Basic Human Needs, Educational Institutions
- Geographic Focus: Western New York
- Eligibility: 501 (c)(3) organizations and religious organizations
- Deadlines: April 1st and October 1st, annually
Supports programming and capital improvement projects that seek to address a community need or deliver broad community benefit.
- Range: $4,000- $20,000
- Geographic Focus: Organizations located in or serving Southern Chautauqua County
- Deadlines: March 1 & August 1, annually
The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation annually awards over $1M through its competitive grant processes to charitable organizations working to make a difference across the region. General grants are offered bi-monthly and are intended to assist with emerging needs or one-time costs. Requests can be made up to $4,000. Organizations can only submit two requests per year.
- Range: $1,000- $4,000
- Geographic Focus: Organizations located in or serving Southern Chautauqua County
- Deadlines: Bi-monthly; last Wednesday of even months
Supports emerging needs and one-time costs, organizations serving Falconer, Kennedy, Ellington and Randolph NY communities. Open to faith-based organizations.
Range: $1,000- $4,000
Deadline: April 1, annually
The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation hosts two cycles per year, intending to fund larger initiatives with wide-reaching and longer term community impact. The process occurs in two stages for each cycle, beginning with submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and followed by an invitation to submit a full application. Priority given to requests that indicate support from multiple funding sources, demonstrate plans for sustainability, indicate collaborative partnerships and employ evidence-based approaches with measurable outcomes (where applicable).
- Range: Over $20,000
- Geographic Focus: Organizations located in or serving Southern Chautauqua County
- Deadlines: June 1 or December 1, Annually
In 2021, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established endowment funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to support arts and culture in the eight counties of Western New York, plus Monroe County, in recognition of the key role arts and culture organizations play in a thriving economy.
Since the inception of the Arts & Culture Initiative, the Community Foundation has prioritized community feedback in the creation of this annual funding opportunity. Click here to learn more about the history of this grant process.
The result of this work are three funding opportunities for 2025:
- Combined Capacity-Building and General Operating Funds of up to $15,000 for organizations with at least one full-time (or one FTE) staff member to help organizations build the solid foundation necessary to pursue an ambitious mission and vision;
- General Operating Micro Grants of up to $2,500 for organizations with less than one full-time staff member to execute immediate programming;
- Year 2 Capacity-Building and General Operating Funds for 2024 Grantees ONLY: Continued Capacity-Building support to continue building upon the work started in 2025
Applications open August 4th and are due September 12th.
Deadline: September 12, 2025
The responsive grant process enables us to gain a better understanding of applicant organizations and learn about the needs of and benefits to the individuals they serve. Ultimately the process results in investments in strong performing arts organizations aligned with our stated priorities.
In Performing Arts, we support the disciplines of music, dance, singing, and theatre, and our priority is to fund organizations that have a primary focus on community performances.
Cullen Foundation’s responsive grant process is competitive, not all applications are funded. The fiscal health, sustainability, and impact of the applicant organization are important factors in our decision-making. Audience attendance counts are strongly weighted in our performing arts grant making. An organization may apply for 1, 2 or 3 years of funding, ranging from $5,000 to $125,000 per year (for a $375,000 total maximum). Receiving the maximum $125,000/year request amount is rare and occurs only when the Foundation deems a unique strategic alignment between Cullen Foundation’s mission and the program’s outcomes. Multi-year grants are made only when the Foundation believes the multi-year nature of the request is essential to the project’s success.
ELIGIBLILTY
Cullen Foundation has the following eligibility criteria for all applicants:
- The organization is a 501(c)(3).
- The organization MUST submit audited or reviewed financials prepared by a CPA for its most recently completed fiscal year. This is Cullen’s requirement and is not related to NYS requirements. (Click here for more information on types/levels of financial reviews)
- Erie County (New York) is our primary geographic service area. Performing arts organizations outside of Erie County may apply if they can demonstrate their service to Erie County residents through valid audience participation data.
- The primary mission of the organization should be directly that of performing arts.
- No funding received will be used for partisan political activity.
- No funding received will be used for expenses already incurred.
- No funding will overlap with an existing grant from the Cullen Foundation.
- The request fits within Cullen Foundation’s performing arts focus area; requests for the following will NOT be considered:
- Arts education programs
- Art therapy programs
- Sponsorships including galas, fundraising events, conferences, and travel opportunities
- Programs and events with a performing arts component that are hosted by organizations that are NOT members of the performing arts sector
- Activities of organizations serving primarily their own membership
FUNDING RANGE
An organization may apply for 1, 2 or 3 years of funding, ranging from $5,000 to $125,000 per year (for a $375,000 total maximum). Receiving the maximum $125,000/year request amount is rare and occurs only when the Foundation deems a unique strategic alignment between Cullen Foundation’s mission and the program’s outcomes. Multi-year grants are made only when the Foundation believes the multi-year nature of the request is essential to the project’s success.
KEY DEADLINES
Each year Cullen Foundation runs two open grant cycles in its performing arts focus area. The Winter responsive grant cycle begins in January and the Summer responsive grant cycle begins in July. Scroll below to join our mailing list. This will notify you of the deadlines for upcoming grant cycles.
- July 1, 2025: Letter of Intent (LOI) stage opens. LOI’s are accepted on a rolling basis between July 1st and July 25th. Once an LOI is approved, the applicant may proceed to the Full Application phase. Cullen Foundation strongly encourages early submissions so that each request may receive adequate time for review.
- June 23, 2025 – July 23, 2025: All applicants must schedule a phone call with Cullen staff prior to submitting an Application. This phone call will indicate your organization’s intent to apply and provide an overview of the program for which you are applying. Contact Nick Schifano at [email protected] to schedule this required call.
- July 25, 2025: LOI phase closes at 5:00pm Eastern Time. Applicants will be notified within 1 week whether they advance to the Full Application phase.
- September 5, 2025: Deadline for full applications is 5:00 pm Eastern Time. Early submissions are strongly encouraged.
- September/October 2025: Application Review Session with Cullen Foundation and applicant.
- October 2025: Cullen Foundation will notify applicants of grant decisions.
- December 1, 2025: Payment will be distributed to grantees.
The Regional Development Corporation (RDC), is the lending arm of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA). The RDC Loan Program enhances the competitiveness of local businesses, promotes local ownership of firms employing local residents, and assists with the formation of new companies, including the technology sector and businesses in designated economic development zones.
The RDC Business Loan program supports underserved markets, including borrowers with little to no credit history, low income borrowers, and minority and women entrepreneurs in distressed rural and urban areas, who may not qualify for more conventional loans. M/WBE businesses may qualify for special loan terms.
The RDC offers business loans from $50,000 to $2,000,000 to businesses operating in Erie County, NY.
RDC Loans may be used for:
- permanent working capital
- machinery and equipment purchases
- property acquisition
- pollution control improvements
- loans to effect changes is local ownership when the employment base of the company would otherwise be in jeopardy
Deadline: Rolling
Empire State Development announced the launch of the NY Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program, which will provide over $1 million annually in matching funds to support diversity and inclusivity in job creation and training programs in New York’s film and television industries. The grant program is funded through the Empire State Entertainment Diversity Job Training Development Fund which, at the suggestion of industry leaders, is financed by an allocated percentage from New York State’s film tax credit program. Grants from $25,000 to $500,000 will be available for job creation and training programs that support efforts to: recruit, hire, promote, retain, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce for New York’s motion picture and television production and post-production industries.
Deadline: Rolling
The Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) offers awards of up to $1,000 to support projects and activities that improve public understanding of conservation and support under resourced institutions in meeting their collection care needs.
This could include collaborating with an institution on rehousing of collections or giving a public lecture to help advance awareness of the conservation field. Priority will be given to projects and programming that develop community awareness of conservation, engage media coverage of conservation activities, and create connections between conservation practitioners and allied practitioners and/or the public. This funding opportunity is open to creative and innovative projects, but is not intended to support focused conservation treatment, large scale initiatives such as a collections assessment or ongoing programming, or activities at the AIC Annual Meeting.
Deadline: February 15th & September 15th, annually
Good Neighbor Fund is dedicated to leveling the playing field for entrepreneurship by providing $1,000 micro-grants to under-resourced and underrepresented founders, primarily at the ideation stage. Inspired by Buffalo’s nickname “The City of Good Neighbors,” we offer not just financial support, but belief capital and mentorship to empower new and diverse founders.
Deadline: Rolling
The Hultquist Foundation is a private foundation with an emphasis on charitable and educational organizations in Chautauqua County.
- Grant Range: $5,000- $300,000 (Average award of $45,000)
- Funding Focus: Charitable and educational organizations
- Geographic Focus: Southern Chautauqua County
- Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations
- Deadlines: March 10th, May 10th, and September 20th, annually
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Lenna Foundation is a private foundation that makes grants to charitable organizations, educational institutions, and foundations benefiting Southwestern New York.
- Grant Range: $500 to $100,000
- Funding Focus: Program funding and capital projects
- Areas of interest: The arts, education, healthcare, youth, economic development, and the environment
- Geographic Focus: Primarily the greater Jamestown, NY area
- Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations, religious organizations
- Deadline: April 15th and July 22nd, annually
Microsoft Tech for Social Impact is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible technology and tools to help nonprofits of all sizes achieve their missions. That’s why we offer grants and discounts of our products and services to eligible nonprofits around the world, including cloud solutions like Azure, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft 365, as well as solutions custom-built for nonprofits like Fundraising and Engagement for Dynamics 365 Sales.
Microsoft 365 with Microsoft Teams can help your nonprofit improve cybersecurity, reduce costs and empower staff and volunteers to work from anywhere.
Deadline: Rolling
The New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Support for Organizations opportunity offers streamlined and flexible funding to support the general operating and arts programming activities of eligible organizations.
NYSCA Support for Organizations is limited to one request per organization and may be awarded as a multi-year grant. While organizations may submit only one application for their own entity, they may also serve as fiscal sponsors for other unincorporated organizations. Additionally, universities or other nonprofits that apply on behalf of a public-facing organization must apply as fiscal sponsors.
Applications will be evaluated according to the following three criteria: creativity, public service and managerial and financial.
Funding Amounts: Awards will be between $10,000 and $49,500. Grant amounts cannot represent more than 50% of an organization’s operating expenses in its fiscal year ending in 2024. Consequently, only organizations with an operating budget (for the fiscal year ending in 2024) of more than $20,000 are eligible to apply. Organizations with an operating budget of less than $20,000 are encouraged to contact their local arts council for regrant funding options.
Deadline: June 26, 2025
Next Generation United (NGU) is a giving community of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County (UWBEC) that enables a network of young professionals to be agents of change by tackling local, worthy causes through fun, social and impactful opportunities. NGU allows WNY’s rising leaders to reshape the norms of philanthropy by creating unique connections to community nonprofits that are poised to tackle some of Buffalo’s most pressing challenges.
Pitch10 is NGU’s marquee event, where WNY-based organizations are given the chance to connect directly with our young professional community while competing for grants to further activate their missions.
In conjunction with Pitch10, NGU is soliciting requests for proposals (RFPs) from local nonprofits seeking to advance their work in the City of Buffalo and Erie County. Pitch10 gives community members the power to decide which nonprofits will win. Ten organizations will pitch their ideas on October 29, 2025 at Seneca One (1 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY).
Deadline: July 18, 2025
The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation was established in 1986 for the betterment of all community residents. To us, northern Chautauqua is more than a geographic region – it’s the place we call home. Because of that, we have worked hard to build a strong understanding of how it can be improved. Over the years, the NCCF has helped to create and fund many projects that enhance the lives of those who live here. Our interest areas span from arts and culture to the environment, to health and human services, to neighborhood revitalization, and beyond.
We seek to make strategic investments in the community and look to partner with nonprofit organizations to help create enduring solutions to often complex problems and to capitalize on promising opportunities. Effecting change requires both passion and measured thought, and we work hard to find proposals that encompass both.
We are keenly interested in what inspires you and look forward to hearing your ideas for transforming our vision of a healthy and prosperous community into reality.
Deadlines: March 1st & September 1st, annually
The Oishei Foundation provides support to nonprofits that align with their five focus areas: Strengthen the P-20 education continuum, Enhance options for self-sufficiency, Build livable, stable neighborhoods; Promote health and improve systems of care; and Expand the role of arts, culture and heritage in regional development. They encourage all applicants to discuss applications with their program officers before submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and throughout the application process.
Support is primarily focused on activities in Erie and Niagara counties (NY), however, we will consider requests from other WNY counties including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming.
Deadline: Rolling
TPP support early stage grassroots volunteers, many of whom may have just a glimmer of an idea. Often, these ideas are seen as too small or too risky to attract other support.
The Daily Grant program makes $1000 micro grants 365 days a year. These grants are designed to kick start an organization or individual’s work and give them the lift they need to thrive and grow. accept applications from individuals, groups and startup not-for-profit organizations based anywhere in the world. To be considered, all applications must meet the following criteria:
- Your group/organization’s annual budget must be $50,000 or less.
- The total budget for your project must be less than $10,000. You can request up to $1,000 in seed funding from TPP.
- Individual, group and/or organization (including co-leaders and project team members) must not have received previous funding from TPP.
- Your group/organization must not have paid staff.
The Resilience & Recovery Fund (RRF) Grant exists to support projects designed by volunteers in the immediate aftermath of emergencies such as natural disaster, civil unrest, pandemic, or other unforeseen events. The RRF Grant provides expeditious, one-time funding of up to $1,000 to projects responding to an emergency.
Deadline: Rolling
The Sheldon Foundation devotes financial assistance to advance the physical, educational and cultural well-being of the people of the southerly portion of Chautauqua County, New York; and honors the memory of its founder, Isabella M. Sheldon and her husband, Ralph C. Sheldon.
- Program interests include: Charitable, Health Care, Education, Youth, Arts and Humanities, and Environment
- Types of Support: general/operating, capital campaigns, building/renovation, equipment, matching/challenge support
- Range of Grant Award: $100 – $2,000,000
- Deadlines: March 1, August 1, and November 1, annually
Have an idea for a project? Thinking about that video you’ve been meaning to shoot? Considering a new perspective on a familiar idea? Squeaky Wheel is offering Equipment Access Grants to those looking to create specific projects that require the tools and time sometimes difficult or unavailable in daily life. Recipients will receive up to $1,000 worth of equipment usage and facilities time. Amount: $1,000 in-kind equipment rentals.
Deadline: Rolling
Founded in 2020, the Stenclik Family Charitable Fund promotes the advancement of Buffalo Niagara through philanthropic commitments to the area’s most promising educational, cultural, scientific, and community initiatives. The Fund seeks to strengthen the region’s existing assets while clearing new paths for innovation that promote prosperity and vitality in our neighborhoods. They want to support projects that improve the lives of people now and make a lasting difference.
The Stenclik Family Charitable Fund supports the following three priority areas:
- Culture & Science
- Educational Opportunities
- Thriving Communities
Deadline: Rolling
Through the Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program, EDA is focused on accelerating the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. $750 million of EDA’s American Rescue Plan funds are allocated to support the following efforts:
- State Tourism Grants: $510 million in non-competitive awards to help states quickly invest in marketing, infrastructure, workforce and other projects to rejuvenate safe leisure, business and international travel.
- Competitive Grants: $240 million to help communities that have been hardest hit by challenges facing the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors to invest in infrastructure, workforce or other projects to support the recovery of the industry and economic resilience of the community in the future.
Deadline: Rolling
These awards support programs and initiatives that improve health and health outcomes associated with Social Determinants of Health. Proposals focusing on improving health conditions and factors linked to adverse health outcomes will be given preference.
Deadline: Application submissions available March – June
Walmart believes that strengthening local communities creates value for business as well as society. Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where we operate.
Deadline: Rolling
Last updated: June 22, 2025
Funding Opportunities for Individuals:
A $35,000 unrestricted grant can cover more than six months of living expenses so Fellows can focus full-time on their careers.
Fellowship Benefits;
- Weekly conversations with leading showrunners, writers, producers and creative executives help Fellows get bespoke advice and build new connections.
- Ongoing writing workshops and check-ins with the Inevitable team allow Fellows to sharpen their writing and pitching skills.
- Our personalized Concierge service links Fellows with Showrunners and Creative Executives for development and staffing opportunities.
- Connecting with other disabled screenwriters both inside and outside of the Fellowship program will build a supportive community that will stay with Fellows as they grow.
Deadline: Rolling
The Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund provides support to creators during times of extraordinary hardship. Current Fund efforts are focused on supporting creators who have been directly impacted by the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. If selected, you will receive $10,000 from the Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund.
Deadline: Rolling
The Authors League Fund is an emergency fund providing non-taxable charitable support in times of urgent need, when a writer cannot afford to pay for necessities. Common circumstances include:
- Illness, or supporting a dependent family member in ill health.
- Overwhelming medical or dental bills.
- Imminent eviction and other forms of housing insecurity.
- Struggling after a natural disaster.
- Major income loss, including due to COVID-19.
They help writers at all stage of life, though priority is given to sick and/or older writers, and to mid- and late-career writers. There are limited funds for younger and/or emerging writers whose emergency is solely related to insufficient income.
The Authors League Fund helps authors, dramatists, journalists, critics, short story writers, and poets. They do accept applications from indie authors with a record of financial or critical success.
The Fund cannot assist writers whose sole credits are self-published or released by a press that charges for publication. The Fund does not help TV/film writers or lyricists and cannot help writers whose sole credits are from copywriting, blogging, public relations, technical writing, and writing for corporate clients.
Support cannot be used for professional expenses, e.g., time to write, computer purchase, book publicity, hiring an editor, airline tickets to a residency, book tour costs, theater production costs, starting a business.
Deadline: Rolling
Launched in April 2017, Awesome Disability is an independent chapter of the Awesome Foundation, a global community that provides micro-grants with no strings attached. The trustees of Awesome Disability are people with disabilities that want to support ideas and projects in our community. Awards are based on need – valuing up to $1,000 per month. There’s no limit to the number of grants and other sources you can apply to. Amount $1,000.
Deadline: Application open 1st to the 15th of every month
This program is for creators of color in documentary filmmaking or nonfiction new media who identify as living with a disability. While AXS prefers that a person of color living with a disability is a key contributor to the project, the fund welcomes diverse teams to apply. Each year up to five creators receive grants of up to $10,000 each to assist in finishing their projects in any stage of production.
Deadline: July 31, 2025
SMALL THINGS ARE IN. Microbrewing, microdosing, microcomputing — so we’re giving out microgrants. Artists and curators are frequently asked to donate their time, labor, and money to make exhibitions or performances happen. We hope this grant will help offset some of that.
What it is:
- A $300 good-faith grant for artists and curators who are realizing a project in the greater Buffalo area. This is no-strings-attached money that an artist or curator can use in whatever way they feel it’s needed.
What we fund:
- Exhibitions, performances, or other projects that contribute to the visual arts in Buffalo.
Your project must:
- Include at least one public event (an opening, a performance, etc)
- Take place within three months (in the past or forthcoming) from the application date. IE: You could apply with a project that took place up to three months ago or a project that will take place in up to three months.
Rolling Deadline: January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, annually
Founded in 1985, Career Transition For Dancers enables dancers to define their career possibilities and develop the skills necessary to excel in a variety of disciplines outside of dance.
Professional Development Scholarship: The Professional Development Scholarship provides a one-time award of up to $1,000 for occupational skills training in a certification or licensure program in a field outside of dance, to initiate a post-dance career.
Deadline: The 12th of every month
Undergraduate Studies Scholarship: The Undergraduate Studies Scholarship assists current and former dancers in meeting the substantial financial commitments that come with the pursuit of a college-level degree. A limited number of scholarships in amounts up to $2,000 will be awarded to eligible applicants towards their tuition.
Deadline: October 15 and June 15, annually
Learn more.
Created in 1993 to further FCA’s mission to encourage, sponsor, and promote work of a contemporary, experimental nature, Emergency Grants provide urgent funding for visual and performing artists who:
- Have sudden, unanticipated opportunities to present their work to the public when there is insufficient time to seek other sources of funding
- Incur unexpected or unbudgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates
Emergency Grants is the only active, multi-disciplinary program that offers immediate, project-based assistance of this kind to artists living and working anywhere in the United States, for projects occurring in the U.S. and abroad.
Each month FCA receives an average of 100 Emergency Grant applications and makes approximately 12-21 grants. Grants range in amount from $500 to $3,000, and the average grant is now $1,900.
Deadline: Rolling
The XENO Prize for Artists’ Books recipient will be selected to receive $5,000 to publish one artist’s book on the topic of book banning/burning in an edition of at least 100 copies.
Deadline: July 4, 2025
Good Neighbor Fund is dedicated to leveling the playing field for entrepreneurship by providing $1,000 micro-grants to under-resourced and underrepresented founders, primarily at the ideation stage. Inspired by Buffalo’s nickname “The City of Good Neighbors,” we offer not just financial support, but belief capital and mentorship to empower new and diverse founders.
Deadline: Rolling
Innovate Grant distributes (2) $1,800.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer.
- Our newly increased $1,800.00 grants act as mighty sparks of financial support that ignite your creative development.
- Our grant cycles are open (4) times a year (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall) giving you more opportunities to access the support you need.
- Our process is simple so you spend less time on the application and more time making your important work.
2025 Deadlines:
Winter: March 27, 2025- Spring: June 26, 2025
- Summer: TBA
- Fall: TBA
The International Documentary Association (IDA) supports the vital work of documentary storytellers and champions a thriving and inclusive documentary culture. They have compiled a directory of all grants supporting documentary efforts at the link below.
This grant supports early career visual artists. Selected artists will be given a $5,000 grant. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must have either received a degree in studio arts between 2015 and 2023, or had their debut show at a gallery or juried art exhibition between 2015 and 2023.
Deadline: August 21, 2025
The Musicians Foundation offers one-time financial assistance grants to professional musicians across all genres. You must be a professional music performer, composer/arranger, or educator in a specific time of need caused by an unexpected hardship (e.g. medical or dental situation, natural disaster, or certain housing crisis). You must have worked and filed taxes as a professional musician in the United States for five or more years and currently reside in the U.S.
Deadline: Rolling
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), in partnership with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, offer two grant programs for artists in emergency situations: the Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants and Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants program.
Grant cycles for July 2023-June 2024 are listed on each program’s page. These national emergency grant programs reflect Robert Rauschenberg’s concern for the well-being of fellow creative practitioners and were created in the tradition of Change, Inc., a non-profit foundation established in 1970 by Robert Rauschenberg to assist professional artists of all disciplines in need.
Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants
- Provides one-time grants of up to $3,000 to professional dancers in need who have a dire financial emergency as a result of a loss or lack of current live performance work, because of circumstances beyond your control.
- Provides up to three months of essential expenses.
- You must demonstrate an urgent and critical need for emergency support in order to apply.
- Click here to learn more.
Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants
- Provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies.
- Open to artists in financial need who are practicing in the visual arts, film/video/electronic/digital arts, and choreography.
- Period covered: Related, eligible expenses incurred for up to 12 months from the date of the emergency.
- Click here to learn more.
Deadline: Rolling, quarterly application cycle (check unique grant links)
General information available here.
Through a collaborative process, fellows will work closely with state agencies to address pressing issues and implement projects that leave a lasting impact on communities across New York. Fellows will be chosen by the host agency and NYSCA. Award amount per artist fellow is $60,000, inclusive of all project expenses.
Artists from all disciplines are invited to apply for this unique opportunity.
NYSCA will place one (1) artist fellow at each of three (3) host agencies to address important solve-for questions at the core each agency’s public service mission:
- Office of Victim Services (OVS): working with underserved populations to reduce barriers to accessing services under the Fair Access to Victim Compensation Act. (Brooklyn or Albany)
- Office of General Services (OGS): revitalizing the Empire State Plaza through creative, community focused programming. (Albany)
- Office of Mental Health (OMH): destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting access to OMH services. (Locations TBD, Upstate New York area and at least one facility in the NYC area)
Deadline: July 8, 2025
Next Generation United (NGU) is a giving community of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County (UWBEC) that enables a network of young professionals to be agents of change by tackling local, worthy causes through fun, social and impactful opportunities. NGU allows WNY’s rising leaders to reshape the norms of philanthropy by creating unique connections to community nonprofits that are poised to tackle some of Buffalo’s most pressing challenges.
Pitch10 is NGU’s marquee event, where WNY-based organizations are given the chance to connect directly with our young professional community while competing for grants to further activate their missions.
In conjunction with Pitch10, NGU is soliciting requests for proposals (RFPs) from local nonprofits seeking to advance their work in the City of Buffalo and Erie County. Pitch10 gives community members the power to decide which nonprofits will win. Ten organizations will pitch their ideas on October 29, 2025 at Seneca One (1 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY).
Deadline: July 18, 2025
The Foundation welcomes applications from visual artists who are painters, sculptors and artists who work on paper, including printmakers. The Foundation provides financial resources up to $50,000 to create new work, acquire supplies, rent studio space, prepare for exhibitions, attend a residency and offset living expenses. Grants are intended for a one-year period of time. Artists must be actively exhibiting their current work in professional artistic venues, such as gallery and museum spaces.
Deadline: Rolling
The Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant is an annual grant awarded to lesbians for making visionary moving-image art. Work can be experimental animation, experimental documentary, experimental narrative, cross-genre, or solely experimental.
Deadline: July 2, 2025
This $10,000 grant, awarded to draw attention to an existing body of work, sheds light on the under-recognized contributions of Black trans women visual artists and provides critical support to their continuing work. Four distinguished finalists will also receive $1,250.
Deadline: July 2, 2025
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Jazz Road Tours supports three- to six-site tours at an array of venue types, often in rural communities and other areas traditionally underserved by the genre.
This artist-centric grant program—designed to support approximately 50 tours each year—is made possible with funds from the Doris Duke Foundation with additional support from the Mellon Foundation.
AWARD AMOUNT:
Artists may apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to cover eligible expenses. This may include $2,500 for various non-musician personnel as outlined in the eligibility section below.
Note: Grant funds are taxable. Grantees must comply with all applicable city, state, and federal laws when reporting grant income.
Deadline: Rolling throughout 2025
Have an idea for a project? Thinking about that video you’ve been meaning to shoot? Considering a new perspective on a familiar idea? Squeaky Wheel is offering Equipment Access Grants to those looking to create specific projects that require the tools and time sometimes difficult or unavailable in daily life. Recipients will receive up to $1,000 worth of equipment usage and facilities time. Amount: $1,000 in-kind equipment rentals.
Deadline: Rolling
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready aims to equip one million small businesses with the tools, training, and resources they need to thrive in today’s digital economy. Built with and for small businesses, the Digital Ready platform offers free, on-demand courses, expert-led coaching events, peer networking opportunities, and curated resources tailored to the real-world needs of entrepreneurs.
To complement these resources, and in recognition that access to capital is a key challenge for many small businesses, Verizon has partnered with the LISC to provide $10,000 grants to eligible small businesses.
The current round of the Digital Ready grant program is now open and accepting applications. During this round, LISC will award $500,000 in grant funding, with 50 small businesses each receiving a $10,000 grant.
Deadline: June 30, 2025
The Artist’s Book Grant is a six- to eight-week residency for artists to produce a limited edition book work. Working intensively in our studios, artists print and bind their own books, and are encouraged to create an edition size no larger than 100 and no smaller than 50.
The grant includes a stipend of $350/week, up to $1000 for materials, up to $250 for travel within the Continental US, free onsite housing, and 24/7 studio access. WSW can provide technical advice; training on new equipment, techniques, and materials; and production assistance.
Specifics of the sales contract will be finalized between the artist and Executive Director upon receipt of the award. The current standard contract stipulates that 20% of the edition goes to the artist, 20% of the edition (at least nine copies) stays with WSW for archival and sales to standing order and repository institutions, and 60% of the edition goes to general distribution and sale. The artist may ask WSW to sell any number of this 60% or the artist’s own 20%. If the artist chooses to sell books through WSW, then WSW will receive a 30% commission from the sale of each book, plus an additional 20% per sale for marketing costs. WSW holds the right to sell from the distribution copies at a 20% discount to standing order and repository institutions. The artist will receive a 50% commission from the sale of each book, which will be paid out once a year around June 30.
Deadline: July 15, 2025
Last updated: June 22, 2025
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