Organization Operations Grant: FY2027
Current Status: Open
Application Portal Opens: September 15, 2026
Deadline: October 15, 2026 (5:00 p.m.)
Required Match: 1:1 cost share/match consisting of cash, donations, and/or in-kind contributions.
Grant Award: Up to $7,500
Award Cycle: July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Detailed Overview of Organization Operations Grant for Fiscal Year 2027
The Organization Operations Grant provides operating support to 501(c)(3) arts organizations in Maine with annual operating budgets above $25,000. This grant supports the well-being of Maine’s arts sector by helping sustain arts organizations, infrastructure, and the creative workforce in the state. Applicants must operate with a mission that describes the arts as the primary purpose and focus of the organization. Multipurpose organizations, including arts entities embedded in universities and colleges, are eligible if they demonstrate that the arts comprise at least 50% of the organization’s programming and have an independent advisory board. Universities or colleges in their entirety, individual departments, or organizations whose primary purpose is fundraising may not apply. Award funds are to be used for eligible operating costs or to reimburse costs incurred between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
Eligibility Requirements
An applicant is eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:
- Is an arts-based nonprofit organization with a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service or is a unit of municipal, county or tribal government, legally established in the state of Maine. Non-501(c)(3) applicants cannot apply under a fiscal sponsor or agent.
- Arts comprise at least 50% of your programming.
- Has evidence of operational planning (e.g. a current strategic plan, business plan, operational timeline, logic model).
- Has completed at least one fiscal year of programming within Maine.
- Has a valid UEI number and an active registration in SAM.gov (www.sam.gov). You cannot apply for a grant without both.
- Has an organization budget over $25,000.
- If applicable, has completed all Final Reports required by the Maine Arts Commission for previous awards.
Eligible Expenses
This grant can be used to support:
- Facilities costs (e.g. rent, utilities, accessibility needs, mortgage).
- Salaries and wages for personnel.
- Fees for artists and contractual personnel.
- Marketing and promotion costs.
- Administrative costs.
- Equipment purchases under $5,000.
- Costs for ensuring your programs are accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.
Ineligible Expenses
This grant cannot be used for the following expenses:
- Debt or loan repayment.
- Equipment purchases over $5,000.
- Construction costs.
- Lobbying or fundraising expenses.
- Donations and contributions.
- Regranting.
- Remote office expenses.
- Events closed to the public.
- Activities and expenses outside the grant period.
- Cost of goods for resale.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Entertainment costs (such as receptions, parties, galas, dinners, community gatherings, etc.).
- Purchase of artwork.
- Projects that support or oppose a particular political party or candidate for public office.
- Projects that are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group.
Expense Requirements: All activities supported through the award must comply with applicable federal, Maine state, and local laws. Expenses must also comply with applicable grant requirements and federal cost principles.
Please note: The Maine Arts Commission reserves the right to modify eligibility requirements including eligible expenses at any point during the application, review, or award process as needed to comply with applicable state and federal guidelines.
How to Apply
All applications and materials must be submitted using the online Maine Cultural Access Portal. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to carefully review these details and call us with questions prior to beginning an application. It’s important to give yourself plenty of time to write a strong application, so be sure to start the process early!
Complete the Application Questions
Answer all application and narrative questions in the application portal. Narrative questions are listed in the Application Questions section below.
Required Organization Documentation
Upload the following documents as separate PDF files:
- IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. Upload a copy of your determination letter.
- Federal tax return. Upload your most recently completed federal tax return (990, or 990-EZ if applicable).
- List of staff members, including their roles. Submit as a separate upload.
- List of board members, including their affiliations. Submit as a separate upload.
- Operational Plan (current strategic plan, business plan, operational timeline, work plan, or logic model). We highly recommend submitting a plan that roots your work in your community by including their meaningful involvement. The plan should clearly reflect their participation and result in programs that have direct community impact.
- Profit and Loss Statement for the last completed fiscal year. A 1:1 cost share/match is required. If your annual budget is over $25,000 and you can show $7,500 in cash, donations, or in-kind contributions, you are eligible to apply.
Optional Supporting Materials
Upload up to four supporting materials that provide additional information in support of the application, such as artistic samples, images of events, letters of support, and/or testimonials.
| Uploads | File Type | Format and Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | All required documents should be in PDF format. | |
| Images | JPG, PNG, PDF | Images will be viewed digitally and not printed. |
| Audio | MP3 | Include only the material intended for panel review. |
| Video | MP4, WMV, YouTube or Vimeo link | No video slideshow of still images. Maximum length: 5 minutes. |
| Writing Samples or Testimonials | 12pt, Times New Roman font. |
The Maine Arts Commission may use submitted materials solely for the non-commercial promotion of the artist and/or Maine Arts Commission programs.
Application Questions
All application questions are grouped by scoring criteria.
Mission Alignment
The goal of this section is to describe how your arts programming and/or services align with your mission.
- Give a brief background of your organization. (500 characters)
- What is your mission statement? (500 characters)
- How does your programming support your mission? (2,000 characters)
Public Access, Engagement and Benefit
- Who are the intended participants in your programs? (500 characters)
- How do you include the community in the planning of your programs? (This could include partners, collaborators, artist(s), and/or culture bearers.) (1,500 characters)
- What are ways you have or plan to remove barriers for underserved populations so that they have access to your physical location and programming? (1,500 characters)
Organizational Health
This section is intended to give clarity to your provided 990, Profit and Loss Statement, staff list, board member list, and planning documents.
- In what ways will these funds help your organization to fulfill goals laid out in your strategic plan? (1,500 characters)
- How do you evaluate the success of your programs and services? (1,000 characters)
- What was your last completed fiscal year?
- Total income for last completed fiscal year?
- Total expenses for last completed fiscal year?
Review Process
Review Criteria
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Each application is assessed against the following criteria, rather than compared with other applications.
- Mission Alignment (30%)
- Does the organization offer arts programs and/or services that are aligned with its mission?
- Public Access, Engagement and Benefit (30%)
The organization demonstrates a commitment to:
- Including community input in the planning, participation, and evaluation of its activities.
- Being inclusive of those that are traditionally underserved communities.
- Organizational Health (30%)
- Does the organization have proper planning and evaluation to fulfill its mission?
- Does the organization have strong management, and staffing appropriate and sufficient to support the work of the organization?
- Does the organization have capacity to carry out its work?
- Does the organization have sound financial management?
- Artistic Excellence and Artistic Merit (10%)
Based on the overall application.
- Relative to its size, the organization demonstrates a committed effort to provide quality arts and educational experiences.
Award Payments
If your application is funded, you enter into a letter of agreement with the Maine Arts Commission, and you must comply with all requirements stated in that agreement. Award payments may take an extended amount of time after notification. Funds may be used to reimburse eligible operating costs incurred between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
All applicants are notified via email whether their application is approved or declined. If you receive an award, you will also receive future emails with next steps.
Final Reporting
Awardees are required to submit a final report for each grant received. Final reports are due 14 days after the end of the fiscal year. You may not be eligible to apply for another Maine Arts Commission grant if you do not submit your final report.
Terms & Conditions
Grantees must agree to all federal assurances and terms and conditions applicable to a subgrantee of a State Arts Agency (SAA). Review the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Legal Requirements and Assurance of Compliance.
Accessibility
Grantees must ensure that their programs and activities are accessible to people with disabilities and comply with applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Organizations receiving NEA funds, including funds awarded through the Maine Arts Commission, must designate an accessibility coordinator and maintain a completed Section 504 self-evaluation on file. This evaluation reviews the accessibility of the organization’s programs, activities, policies, practices, and facilities.
Organizations may use the NEA’s Section 504 Self-Evaluation Workbook or a comparable document that contains the same pertinent information.
For a guided, user-friendly option, Open Door Arts’ free Arts & Culture Accessibility Hub offers a self-assessment, a personalized report, and accessibility action-plan templates. A completed assessment and report can serve as equivalent self-evaluation documentation when they address the same pertinent information as the NEA workbook. Keep these documents and your action plan on file at your organization.
For help understanding these requirements, completing a self-evaluation, or developing an accessibility plan, please contact:
Eli Cabañas, Accessibility Coordinator
vog.eniam@sanabac.ile
207-215-5872
Disclaimer
Our selection process is competitive and based on a thorough review of all applications against our established criteria as well as available resources. The acceptance of applications for this program does not guarantee the allocation of funds.
Grant Assistance
Our goal is for all potential applicants to have the resources they need to submit a competitive application. If you have questions about the application process, please contact us. We are always happy to help!
Eli Cabañas, Grants and Website Manager
vog.eniam@sanabac.ile
207-215-5872
Accessibility
Grant information is available in large print format by request.
If you require an alternate format or need assistance accessing the guidelines or application, please contact ADA Accessibility Coordinator Eli Cabañas by email at vog.eniam@sanabac.ile or by phone at 207-215-5872.
It is the policy of the Maine Arts Commission not to discriminate on the basis of disability. The Commission is dedicated to making our programs accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities and assisting individuals with disabilities in connecting with resources for access to the arts. All programs funded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.