Nonprofit organizations can now apply for National Endowment for the Arts funding in the categories of Challenge America and Grants for Arts Projects for projects taking place beginning in 2026. 

These grants support projects taking place in any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. jurisdictions.

Grants for Arts Projects application deadlines: March 10, 2025, and July 10, 2025, for projects taking place beginning in 2026. 

Challenge America application deadline: April 24, 2025, for projects taking place beginning in 2026.

The Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship provides funding to individuals to pursue professional development opportunities in the field of arts administration. Arts administration is the field that concerns the business operations of an arts organization, including but not limited to staff management, public relations, marketing, budget/fiscal management, board development, fund-raising, program development and evaluation.

ELIGIBILITY

An individual must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• be a Connecticut resident,
• be an arts administrator or an individual who aspires to become an arts administrator, and
• have a minimum of two (2) years and less than ten (10) years of experience in the arts, not necessarily in the field of arts administration

AWARDS

Applicants may request up to $2,500. 

ELIGIBLE COSTS

Funds may be used towards costs directly related to professional development activities that take place within the funding period, including but not limited to:

• Tuition or registration fees for workshops, conferences, and trainings
• Fees to work directly with a consultant or career coach
• Travel and hotel costs associated with attending a workshop, conference or training

INELIGIBLE COSTS

• Funding to offset applicant’s regular salary or wages
• Funding to offset general operating costs of the applicant’s affiliated arts organization, if applicable
• Costs incurred outside the funding period

FUNDING PERIOD 

May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026

DEADLINE: Applications are due Sunday, April 6, 2025 by 11:59 PM.

To address the needs of the communities we serve across 64 Connecticut towns, the Foundation accepts requests for up to $5,000 in the areas of education, human services, and arts and culture. Applications are reviewed in two cycles each year.

Eligibility Criteria:

This program is designed to provide a more streamlined application process for:

• Local Programs - Agencies of any size may apply for a Community Grant for programs and services in our 64-town service area, outside of New Britain and Waterbury.
• Small nonprofits serving New Britain or Waterbury - Organizations with an agency budget greater than $250,000 must use the Program Grant application for any program taking place in or primarily serving New Britain and/or Waterbury.
• Organization must be tax exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3).

Key Guidance:

• Grants are primarily awarded for program expenses for direct services to the community. 
• Program requests cannot include computers or other capital purchases.
• Not unrestricted/general operating support awards

Application Deadline: April 10, 2025

Cycle Grants are awarded to eligible 501c3 nonprofits for programs, capital improvements, capacity building, and operating expenses.

NCCF has established a funding priority around Early Childhood Literacy. There are many ways all nonprofits can inspire reading and boost reading comprehension. NCCF would like to encourage thought leadership in this area and stimulate program development around this issue.

Other key areas of concentration include: 

• Arts & Culture
• Civic & Education
• Environment
• Health
• Social Services

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Through the Capacity Building Grant Program, FCH will accept requests for needs related to organizational capacity. 

This approach focuses on holistic organizational development, recognizing that true impact requires agencies to evolve their structures, processes, and capabilities continuously. By investing in an organization’s health—spanning areas like governance, strategic planning, infrastructure, and human resources—FCH aims to increase nonprofits’ long-term stability, resilience, and capacity to meet community needs.

Grant Info: 

• All grants approved through this program are unrestricted.
• Applicants may request up to $30,000. 
• Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 organizations OR initiatives with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor who serve one or multiple towns within FCH’s community that have alignment with the foundation’s funding interests.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Quick Grants support the implementation of a wide range of community-oriented, public programs that help us understand and appreciate human history, culture, values, and beliefs. 

Quick Grants may fund several project types, including small exhibitions, discussion-based public programs, local history tours, and community reading projects. 

All Quick Grant proposals must demonstrate significant humanities scholarship and content and must be:

• Open to the general public
• Free or low-cost to attend
• Clearly interpretive and based in the humanities

Connecticut Humanities (CTH) gives priority to projects that include significant humanities scholarship and content; explore topics and stories in an inclusive, diverse, and equitable manner; commemorate the 250th anniversary of the formation of the United States consistent with the America 250 | CT Commission’s guiding themes; and do one or more of the following:

• Engage individuals and communities in the exploration of contemporary issues.
• Advance creativity and demonstrate ingenuity and innovation.
• Present accessible content that provokes, challenges, educates, and inspires.
• Ensure access to the project’s content and scholarship beyond the length of the grant.
• Foster collaboration among organizations, groups, and communities.

Application Deadline: May 2, 2025

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which was established by Governor Lamont in 2021, provides financial assistance for infrastructure improvements to 501(c)(3) organizations that are at a heightened risk of being the target of a terrorist attack, hate crime, or violent act. It is administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS).

Full press release can be viewed at: https://officeofthegovernor.cmail20.com/t/j-e-siuwhk-tkiulrkihh-r/

provides funds for presenters to travel and research artistic works that may be brought to New England. 

Deadline: Rolling

Microsoft Tech for Social Impact  offers grants and discounts for their products and services to eligible nonprofits, including solutions like Azure, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft 365.