New York: 2026 BICA Microgrants
The Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art provides unrestricted $300 microgrants to artists and curators realizing projects in the greater Buffalo area. The funding supports visual arts initiatives that feature at least one public event, including exhibitions and performances. To qualify, your project must take place within three months of your application date. The program operates on a rolling quarterly cycle. |
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California: WeHo Artist GrantThe West Hollywood Arts Division offers annual grants to resident artists to realize new work and advance their creative practice. The WeHo Artist Grant provides $6,000 to five individual artists for projects executed within West Hollywood; a short film summarizing the project is required as a final deliverable. The current open cycle is for 2027. |
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Stanley Greene Foundation Emerging Photographers GrantThis program awards a $10,000 grant to visual storytellers at the beginning of their careers to develop impactful visual narratives. The foundation places particular emphasis on supporting photographers from underserved and diverse communities. |
Queer | Art Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual ArtistsThe Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists is an annual $10,000 grant awarded to provide critical support to Black trans women whose work has often been under-recognized in the visual art field. A $1,250 award is also available to four distinguished finalists. Winning artists and finalists will receive additional professional development resources and further guidance to bolster their creative development in the field. |
Jackson Wild Grant for Emerging Environmental Filmmakers
Jackson Wild, in partnership with Amberjack Films and Schoolyard Films, offers a $30,000 grant to support early-stage filmmakers in creating a 10- to 20-minute short film on a nature or environmental story from their own region. The program includes mentorship throughout the editorial process, and funding will be distributed in stages starting January 2027. Applicants must be members of the Jackson Wild Collective (free to join). |
NEA Grant Programs
The National Endowment for the Arts offers two primary funding streams through a shared application portal. The Grants for Arts Projects program provides awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to support broad cultural programming and creative placemaking. The Challenge America category is tailored for smaller organizations with operating budgets under $250,000, offering a flat $10,000 to extend the reach of the arts into underserved communities. Both programs now share a single intake portal, with Challenge America applicants selecting that discipline within the Grants for Arts Projects application. Note that the process runs in two stages: an initial submission through Grants.gov is due July 9, with the full application portal open July 14 – 21. An organization can only apply to one program per calendar year. |
Loghaven Artist Residency
Loghaven offers significant financial support for creatives working across visual art, architecture, dance, music, theater, and literature. All selected fellows receive a living stipend of $850 per week alongside full travel and freight reimbursement. The campus in Knoxville, TN, provides an incredible environment to focus entirely on your practice. |
Salt Lick Incubator Artist Project Grant
The Salt Lick Incubator provides awards ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to emerging musicians and songwriters working in independent or genre-blending spaces. Funds provide flexible backing to produce an original album or finance an upcoming tour. Beyond the financial support, recipients also gain access to tailored mentorship from industry professionals to help build sustainable momentum. |
Texas: Houston Arts Alliance Grant Programs
The Houston Arts Alliance offers three annual funding streams to support the local creative economy. Individual creatives can apply for the Support for Artists and Creative Individuals grant, which provides up to $15,000 to help generate new artistic projects or complete works in progress. Registered nonprofits and fiscally sponsored ventures can seek funding through the Support for Organizations program for public-facing arts and cultural activities. Finally, the Festival Grant provides up to $10,000 to fund vibrant cultural celebrations and annual immersions that showcase the city's diverse traditions. The current open cycle is for 2027. |
California: Berkeley Film Foundation Narrative Short Grant
The Berkeley Film Foundation provides project grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to support locally made narrative short films. To qualify for this specific funding cycle, filmmakers must reside in select East Bay cities, including Berkeley, Oakland, or a handful of neighboring communities. The submission process mirrors the standard IDA Core Application to keep things streamlined for working directors. |
AXS Film Fund Open Call
The AXS Film Fund supports documentary filmmakers and nonfiction media creators, with a focus on creators from underserved communities, particularly those living with disabilities. Each year the fund awards up to five grants of up to $10,000 each for projects at any stage of production. An Application Assistance Stipend of up to $500 is available for those who need help completing their submission. |
MUUS Collection Research Fellowship
The MUUS Collection awards a $20,000 grant to a curator or academic to develop an exhibition or publication concept over the course of a year. The selected fellow gains access to the organization's extensive photography archives and mentorship sessions with the advisory board. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of professional experience at a cultural institution. |
Kansas and Missouri: Harvest to Market Grant
The Heartland Food Business Coalition provides up to $25,000 to food and farm enterprises in select rural counties across Kansas and Missouri. The program prioritizes post-harvest and go-to-market investments — processing equipment, distribution machinery, logistics systems, and marketing tools — and gives further preference to collaborative projects that pool products to fulfill larger orders. |
Granum Foundation Prize
The Granum Foundation awards a $5,000 prize to help U.S.-based writers complete substantive literary works such as novels or essay collections. Up to three finalists will also receive an award of at least $500. To qualify for the funding, you must be a U.S. resident over the age of 18 who has published five or fewer books. Children's picture books and scripts are not eligible for this specific cycle. |
Target Accelerators Supplier Intake
Target operates several accelerator tracks designed specifically for early-stage consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. Founders can submit a Supplier Intake Form at any time to get on the radar of the retail buying team. This submission acts as the gateway to their Forward Founders and Takeoff programs, which provide intensive retail education alongside potential shelf placement. |
Whole Foods Local Producer Loan Program
This program provides up to $100,000 in loan capital to help emerging food and beverage producers scale their operations. The funds are earmarked for tangible capital expenditures like purchasing new equipment or securing agricultural infrastructure. The application process is minimal and remains open on an ongoing basis. |
