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Upcoming Grants for the next 90 days. A successful grant application requires a multi-faceted approach. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES | VOLUME 38| May 2, 2025
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Max Li creates stunning tintypes using a historic photographic process that captures timeless, one-of-a-kind portraits on metal plates. During our team orientation in February, Max crafted a beautiful tintype of our group, offering a unique and meaningful way to commemorate the moment as we welcomed new team members. His work adds a sense of artistry and nostalgia that perfectly honors new beginnings. |
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Funder: Arts Works Fund
Grant Program: Think & Explore
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000 & $25,000 respectively
Application Closes: May 15, 2025
Discipline/Area: Multiple Disciplines (Organizations) These adaptation grants are intended to give organizations room to plan for (THINK) and test and enact (EXPLORE) shifts in organizational structure, operations, and/or financial practices. The grants are intended not for ongoing and regular operational costs but to help organizations redefine key partnerships, address longstanding challenges, navigate critical organizational transitions, and build a foundation of resilience to ensure they can effectively meet their missions.
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Funder: The Field Foundation of Illinois
Grant Program: A Road Together
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000 - $100,000
Application Closes: May 16, 2025
Discipline/Area: Multiple Disciplines (Organizations) “A Road Together” (ART) is a grantmaking partnership between the Field Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation. It is designed specifically for small and mid-sized arts and culture organizations with annual operating budgets up to $1 million. Through the ART partnership, the Field and MacArthur foundations support grant recipients in creating opportunities for more Chicagoans to dream and flourish through a vibrant and sustainable creative ecosystem.
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Funder: Mielle Cares - MiSpace Grant Program
Maximum Grant Size: $500,000
Application Closes: May 5, 2025
Discipline/Area: Community Arts (Organization) Funder: The Andy Warhol Foundation - Arts Writers Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $30,000
Application Closes: May 7, 2025
Discipline/Area: Writing (Artist) Funder: Illinois Arts Council - LEAD Conference Scholarship
Maximum Grant Size: 1,500
Application Closes: May 13, 2025
Discipline/Area: Arts & Disability (Organizational Staff) Funder: Chicago of Chicago - ChiBlockBuilder (City-owned vacant lot purchase)
Maximum Grant Size: n/a, purchase
Application Closes: May 16, 2025
Discipline/Area: Capital (Lot Purchase) Funder: Terra Foundation - Exhibition
Maximum Grant Size: $200,000
Application Closes: May 16, 2025 (Full Application only if LOI was approved)
Discipline/Area: Visual Art (Organization) Funder: Chicago Department of Planning and Development - Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
Maximum Grant Size: $200,000
Application Closes: May 16, 2025
Discipline/Area: Capital (Organization) Funder: National Performance Network - Creation Fund
Minimum Grant Size: $15,000
Application Closes: May 19, 2025 (Phase 1 Proposal)
Discipline/Area: Multiple Disciplines (Artist & Organization) Funder: The Chicago Community Trust - African American Legacy
Maximum Grant Size $75,000
Application Closes: May 21, 2025
Discipline/Area: Community (Organizations) Funder: Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events - Chicago Poet Laureate Program
Maximum Grant Size $70,000
Application Closes: May 29, 2025
Discipline/Area: Poetry (Individual) Funder: Illinois Arts Council - Creative Learning Grants for Schools
Maximum Grant Size $20,000
Application Closes: May 29, 2025
Discipline/Area: Arts Education (Schools) Funder: Chicago DPD - Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)
Maximum Grant Size $150k (Commercial) & $250K (Industrial) (79th Street Corridor | 87th/Cottage Grove | Archer/Western | Armitage/Pulaski | Lincoln Avenue | Informational Webinar 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 | Register)
Application Closes: May 30, 2025
Discipline/Area: Capital (Organization)
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Funder: Venturous Theater Fund - Venturous Capital Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $35,000
Application Closes: June 2, 2025 (LOI)
Discipline/Area: Theater (Organization) Funder: Film Independent - Fast Track Finance Market & Alfred P. Sloan Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Closes: June 9, 2025
Discipline/Area: Film (Individuals) Funder: Aaron Copland Fund - Performance Program
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Closes: June 26, 2025
Discipline/Area: Music (Organization) Funder: Illinois Humanities - Envisioning Justice Grants for Individuals
Minimum Grant Size: $5,000
Application Closes: June 30, 2025
Discipline/Area: Humanities (Individuals) Funder: Illinois Humanities - Envisioning Justice Grants for Organizations
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: June 30, 2025
Discipline/Area: Humanities (Organizations) Funder: Illinois Humanities - General Operating Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: June 30, 2025
Discipline/Area: Humanities (Organizations) Funder: Driehaus Foundation - Arts & Culture
Maximum Grant Size: see guidelines for details
Application Closes: July 18, 2025 (must submit LOI to jcaevaliotis@driehausfoundation.org for approval prior to application)
Discipline/Area: Arts (Organizations) Funder: Driehaus Foundation - Built Environment
Maximum Grant Size: see guidelines for details
Application Closes: July 18, 2025 (must submit LOI to bradwhite@driehausfoundation.org for approval prior to application)
Discipline/Area: Placekeeping & Preservation (organizations) Funder: Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation - Artistic Vitality Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $13,500
Application Closes: July 25, 2025 (must submit an LOI to abigail@gddf.org prior to this date)
Discipline/Area: Arts (Organizations) Funder: Arts Works Fund - Think & Explore
Maximum Grant Size: $30,000
Application Closes: August15, 2025
Discipline/Area: Arts, Multiple Disciplines (Organizations) Funder: Chicago Department of Planning and Development - Community Development Grants (Small)
Maximum Grant Size: $250,000
Application Closes: August 15, 2025
Discipline/Area: Capital Funder: Chicago Department of Planning and Development - Community Development Grants (Medium)
Maximum Grant Size: $5,000,000
Application Closes: August 15, 2025
Discipline/Area: Capital Funder: Chicago Department of Planning and Development - Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
Maximum Grant Size: $250,000
Application Closes: August 15, 2025
Discipline/Area: Capital (Organization) Funder: Chicago Community Trust - Sponsorships
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: August 28, 2025
Discipline/Area: Events, Panels, Forums (Organizations)
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Arts Alliance Illinois Issues Urgent Advocacy Call
Recent actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have defunded and destabilized the NEH, IMLS, and are now threatening the NEA. These federal agencies are essential to supporting the arts, humanities, museums, and libraries in every U.S. state and territory.
We must act now. Tell Congress to restore funding and staffing to the NEH and IMLS, and protect the NEA. It only takes two minutes to make your voice heard.
Take Action
Illinois has already led legal efforts to defend IMLS. With the NEH dismantled and the NEA at risk, we urge Attorney General Kwame Raoul to act again. Add your voice to demand continued legal protection for these cultural lifelines.
Take Action
Visit the Federal Rapid Response page for ways to take action, tools for advocacy, legal support, nonprofit resources, and a quick survey to share how your organization is affected.
Access Rapid Response Resources
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Sign up for our monthly Building Blocks, blog that advocates for art, culture and heritage as a key generator of equitable economic and community development for Chicago communities! NB: This is different from our bi-weekly newsletter. |
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Looking for convenient access to our Newsletter? In addition to receiving biweekly updates, you can also locate the latest newsletter on our website under the Resources section (Funding Opportunities).
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Looking for Space on the Southside?
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South Side Artists in Sacred Spaces Check out our interactive map of the congregations that are participating in the South Side Artists in Sacred Spaces program. Here’s the link to the map.
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Additional Funding Opportunities & Informational Resources:
Explore more funding avenues! Discover additional resources promoting diverse grants, residencies and other opportunities for artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses. Unleash new possibilities and fuel your artistic journey! |
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Funder: OTC Atlas Fund - Empowering Intersectional Storytellers for Post-Production and Exhibition Overview
The #OTVAtlasFund is a rolling-basis grant initiative that provides between $2,000 - $15,000 to intersectional storytellers. Designed to meet artists where they are, the fund offers resources for post-production finishing funds, exhibition strategies, and impact campaign development. Through a trust-based philanthropy model, this self-guided pathway ensures creators maintain control over their stories while receiving the support they need to reach audiences on the #OTVApp and beyond.
How to Apply
The fund prioritizes short-form content, including non-fiction, digital series, pilots, short films, and video art, and is open to intersectional storytellers from regions within the United States, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, and Europe. To qualify, applicants must be subscribed to the #OTVApp, ensuring that the storytelling ecosystem remains connected and supported within the OTV community. Additionally, creators must own the rights to their story and be willing to exhibit the finished project via the #OTVApp. To view additional rolling grants please visit this link!
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STRATEGY & TIPSStorytelling: Use compelling stories or case studies to illustrate the impact of your work.
At Bustling Spaces, we believe that a successful grant application requires a multi-faceted approach that combines precision, creativity, and strategic planning.
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