Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Grants: Guidelines and Online Application

The Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Grants honor the legacy of Charles E. Culpeper by supporting the artists and arts and cultural organizations that make New York City one of the world's most dynamic creative capitals. Managed by the Fund's Pivotal Place: New York City program, these grants support the creative process, build the capacity of small and mid-size arts and cultural institutions, and promote the pursuit of the creative life.

The standard online grant inquiry process does not apply for these grants. Applications may only be submitted online. Because of the response to the 2011 request for proposals, the Fund will not be issuing requests for proposals in 2012 and 2013.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Organizations based within the five boroughs of New York City
  • Organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status or projects of sponsoring organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status
  • For capacity-building grants, organizations with annual operating budgets between $200,000 and $4 million
  • Generally, no capital campaigns, festivals, publications, films, meetings, cash reserve funds, or endowments
  • Support for arts education has been phased out

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS

Requests for one-year Building Capacity in Arts and Cultural Organizations grants should outline discrete, time-bound projects that contribute to the overall efficiency of the organization. Requests should describe how the project will help the organization more effectively pursue its mission and overall work. Past grants have enabled organizations to increase earned income revenue by implementing new technology and launch individual donor fundraising campaigns. Building Capacity in Arts and Cultural Organizations grants are non-renewable, one-year grants.

Supporting the Creative Process grants support residencies, fellowships, commissioning, and other programs that help individual artists create new work and further their artistic careers. Creative process grants are targeted toward programs that benefit New York City artists, emerging artists, and artists of color. Supporting the Creative Process grants are non-renewable, one-year grants. Requests for support should describe how the project will directly support the production of new work by individual artists.

Please see the Grants Search for examples of past grants. Given the volume of the applications that are submitted for this program, not all worthy organizations and projects can be funded.

Pivotal Place: New York City

Please review the New York program page to learn about its other programmatic goals.