CREATIVE IMPACT FUND
Changes are coming to the Creative Impact Fund!
The Arts Programming and Creation of a New Work grants closed on March 26, 2025 and the Artist Residency Sponsorship closed on September 30, 2025. Neither program will not return in their current format. We anticipate reintroducing similar opportunities under the Statewide Community Regrants (SCR) program in 2026.
The Creative Impact Fund is made possible through a New York State Senate initiative aimed at ensuring equitable arts support across all regions of New York State. In addition to state arts funding in WNY, this fund was created to provide continued resources for our creative community.
2025 APPLICATION DETAILS
ASI’s Creative Impact Fund supports nonprofits, government entities, and creative individuals in Western New York. Each grant has unique eligibility criteria, priorities, and funding opportunities.
| Artist Residency Sponsorship | CIF Grants | |
| Applications Open | February 10, 2025 | February 10, 2025 |
| Applications Due |
2025 Rolling Deadlines:
|
March 26, 2025 |
| Funding Announcements | Rolling, approximately 1 month following application deadline | Late May 2025 |
GUIDELINES
Grants for Organizations & Government Entities
Nonprofit organizations, government entities, and tribal organizations can apply for the Arts Programming grant.
Arts Programming Grant
Eligible applications must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be one of the following:
- a nonprofit 501c3 organization
- a local government municipality
- a tribal organization
- Must be legally incorporated and operating in Erie, Niagara, or Chautauqua counties.
- The program or project must take place in the same county in which you are physically located.
- Programs have arts or culture activities as the primary purpose of the program.
- Programs must be completed within one year of receiving the grant payment.
- If working with a school, applicants must include a letter of commitment or tentative agreement from the school they wish to partner with on the program.
- The applicant and the partner school must both be based in the same county the event is taking place – either Erie, Niagara, or Chautauqua county.
- Projects must be open and accessible to the public.
PLEASE NOTE: ‘ARTS PROGRAMMING’ APPLICATIONS CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 26th, 2025
Grants for Individual Creatives
Individual creatives can apply for the Arts Programming, Creation of a New Work, and/or the Artist Residency Sponsorship grants. Individuals can submit up to three (3) applications in any combination of categories as long as the total amount requested is no more than $10,000.
Eligibility for Individuals
Eligible applications must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be an individual living in Erie, Niagara, or Chautauqua counties.
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older.
- Must be willing to accept grant as an individual and not through an LLC or other business designation.
- The program or project must take place in the same county in which applicant resides.
- The program or project must have arts or culture activities as the primary purpose.
- The program or project must be completed within one year of receiving the grant payment.
- If apply for a program grant, applicants must include a letter of commitment or tentative agreement from a 501c3 nonprofit partner or the school they wish to partner with on the program.
- The applicant and the partner school must both be based in the same county the event is taking place – either Erie, Niagara, or Chautauqua county.
- Projects must be open and accessible to the public.
Additional eligibility for Creation of New Work
- Work created must be new, not the continuation or expansion of existing work.
- Projects must engage a segment of the community through some form of feedback, response, interaction, and/or presentation.
PLEASE NOTE: ‘CREATION OF A NEW WORK’ APPLICATIONS CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 26th, 2025
Artist Residency Sponsorship
Eligible applications must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be an individual living in Erie, Niagara, or Chautauqua counties.
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older.
- Must be willing to accept grant as an individual and not through an LLC or other business designation.
- The program or opportunity must take place in New York State.
- The program or opportunity must have arts or culture activities (including nonprofit arts management) as the primary purpose.
GRANT INFORMATION SESSION
ASI previously hosted live grant information sessions for our 2025 funding opportunities. While these sessions have passed, a pre-recorded session is available for those who still need guidance.
In this session, ASI’s Grants and Programming Director, Holly Grant, reviews the guidelines, offers grant-writing tips, and shares best practices to help you or your organization prepare a strong application.
ASI also provides year-round technical assistance and professional development on a variety of grant-related topics.
To access the pre-recorded info session, click this link and complete the brief request form. If you need additional support, you can reach out to Holly at [email protected].
Todas las sesiones informativas fueron presentadas en inglés. Por favor, avise con anticipación si necesita un traductor.
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