Upcoming Deadlines for Next Round of National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) FY2023 Grantmaking

Just a reminder about upcoming application deadlines for the next round of FY2023 grantmaking from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA announced more than $103 million in recommended grants in late-May for its second round of FY2023 grantmaking. Organizations in all 50 states and U.S. jurisdictions will carry out arts projects in three NEA funding categories: Grants for Arts Projects (GAP), Our Town, and State and Regional Partnerships. OPERA America congratulates its members and allies who secure grants for their performances and public programming.

GAP is the NEA’s largest grants program for arts-related companies and organizations. Matching grants range from $10,000 to $100,000, and are recommended for organizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The NEA approved 1,129 projects for its second round of FY2023 grantmaking totaling more than $31 million. Project-based funding will support opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, the integration of the arts with strategies that promote the health and well-being of people and communities, and the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector. The deadline for organizations interested in applying for the next round of GAP grants is Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Our Town is the NEA’s creative placemaking grants program. Our Town projects advance local economic, physical, or social outcomes in communities, ultimately laying the groundwork for systems change and centering equity. Matching grants in this category range from $25,000 to $150,000 and support projects that will take place in 34 states. The NEA approved 57 projects out of 175 eligible applications for its second round of FY2023 grantmaking totaling $4,175,000. The deadline for organizations interested in applying for the next round of Our Town grants is Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Each year, approximately 40 percent of the NEA’s appropriated program funds are awarded for state and regional partnerships, specifically state arts agencies, regional arts organizations, and the national service organizations to support the work of the states and regions. In total, up to $67.9 million is recommended for these partners in FY 2023, with up to $55.1 million of that total designated for State Arts Agencies. 

Please visit arts.gov for all guidelines and application resources for NEA’s FY2023 grantmaking.

U.S. Department of Energy Receiving Applications for its $50 Million Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program

The U.S. Department of Energy is implementing its $50 million Renew America’s Nonprofits competitive grant program (also known as the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program) established by the bi-partisan $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, enacted in November 2021. Program grants will support projects to reduce energy use in facilities owned and operated by various nonprofit organizations. The intent of the competitive grant program is to help nonprofit organizations save energy costs and to allow them to redirect their budgets towards their mission-focused work.

The U.S. Department of Energy will be using an aggregation model to enhance the technical and administrative capacity of nonprofit organizations to secure and utilize program funding. The federal agency will award 5-15 large grants to nonprofit organizations interested in serving as PRIME RECIPIENTS. These PRIME RECIPIENTS will assemble portfolios of energy efficiency projects across various non-profit organizations and provide technical and project management assistance. Hundreds of non-profit facilities would theoretically be represented and supported across these potential portfolios. All interested nonprofit organizations are expected to apply for funding as SUBRECIPIENTS or PARTNERS if they are not interested in being a PRIME RECIPIENT. The federal agency established a TEAMING LIST to facilitate collaboration between nonprofit organization allies. Please join this list regardless of the status you are applying for under the grant program. See the image below concerning potential working relationships under the program.

Please note the upcoming deadlines:

• Submission deadline for letter of intent (not required): June 29, 2023, 5:00PM EST
• Submission deadline for full applications: August 3, 2023, 5:00PM EST
• Anticipated date of award announcements for prime recipients: October 6, 2023 EST

The federal agency is providing various technical assistance concerning the grant program, including a weekly updated Q&A Excel spreadsheet and office hours scheduled for Thursday, June 22 at 1:00PM EST and Thursday, July 13 at 1:00PM EST. Please register for one or both of those webinars to receive appropriate U.S. Department of Energy guidance concerning the grant program.

Please note the upcoming deadlines:

• Submission deadline for letter of intent (not required): June 29, 2023, 5:00PM EST
• Submission deadline for full applications: August 3, 2023, 5:00PM EST
• Anticipated date of award announcements for prime recipients: October 6, 2023 EST

The federal agency is providing various technical assistance concerning the grant program, including a weekly updated Q&A Excel spreadsheet and office hours scheduled for Thursday, June 22 at 1:00PM EST and Thursday, July 13 at 1:00PM EST. Please register for one or both of those webinars to receive appropriate U.S. Department of Energy guidance concerning the grant program.