Arts Business Resource Fund

The Resource Fund provides critical funding to small businesses and nonprofits to support capacity building initiatives. This is primarily done in conjunction with Help Desk participation, but occasionally is given outside this annual programming. 

For 2025, funds of up to $2,500 will be  awarded to organizations for the following operational expenses: 

  • Volunteer staff member stipends (i.e. founders of very small organizations)

  • Fundraising operations 

  • Rent / Space Rental

  • Software

  • Equipment

  • Insurance

  • Utilities

  • and Accounting

APPLICATION

Applications will be accepted via our application form included in our Help Desk Registration from March 13, 2025 to May 12, 2025 at 11:59pm.

REPORTING

Grantees are required to provide a one-page max report describing how operational funding improved their ability to carry out their mission and/or reroute other unrestricted funding to programmatic initiatives. For profit grantees are required to provide receipts while nonprofits can provide general financial reports. All grantees will sign a grant agreement.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Led by and for marginalized communities: Priority is given to LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled, and neurodivergent social enterprises and organizations.

  • Based in the U.S. or U.S. territories: Applicants must reside and conduct their work in the United States or U.S. territories.

  • Annual budget / revenues under $500,000: To ensure funding reaches underfunded initiatives, we prioritize small and grassroots projects and microbusinesses.

  • Social enterprise or nonprofit aligns with our mission: Proposed initiatives must tangibly improve the quality of life for people of color via the arts or sciences.

  • Fiscally sponsored projects are eligible to apply. For-profit projects must provide business incorporation documents. 

We do NOT fund:

  • Program expenses

  • Fundraising events or campaigns

  • Projects based outside the U.S

APPLICATION EVALUATION

ABC staff will complete an initial review of grant applications according the following criteria with a score of 1-5: 

  • Alignment with Mission of the organization

  • Cultural Impact and Community Engagement of the organization

  • Feasibility and Readiness of the project

  • Innovation and Creativity of the organization

  • Budget and Use of funds of the project

SCORING

Applications scoring 20-25 points will be prioritized for funding.

Applications scoring 15-19 points may be considered based on available funds

Applications scoring below 15 points are unlikely to be funded but may receive feedback and be encouraged to reapply in a future cycle.