Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) Grants

About

Established by the NC General Assembly in 1977, the Grassroots Arts Program provides arts funding to all 100 counties through an extensive network of local arts agencies and partner organizations. Funding is distributed on a modified per capita basis to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to high-quality arts experiences and can benefit from the vital role the arts play in their communities.

The NC Arts Council collaborates with one arts organization per county to receive and manage the Grassroots funds. These organizations are called Grassroots County Partners. 

Who may apply

At the state level, the Grassroots Arts Program is an invitational category. In most cases, the Grassroots County Partner is a local arts agency. However, in some instances, a different type of arts organization, such as an arts center or arts school, may be designated to serve in this role.

When there is no strong arts organization available to serve as the Grassroots County Partner, the NC Arts Council will collaborate with a unit of county government or a school system to manage and distribute Grassroots funds. This arrangement is intended to be temporary, while NC Arts Council staff work to elevate an arts organization to serve as the Grassroots County Partner. 

Note: County governments and school systems are subject to additional restrictions on the use of funds.

Scope and allowable expenses

Grassroots County Partners may use up to 50% of their grant funds for general operating support. The remaining 50% is to be used for arts programming and/or subgranting, based on the following guidelines:

• Grassroots County Partners in counties with populations OVER 50,000: at least 50% of the grant funding must be subgranted to other organizations
• Grassroots County Partners in counties with populations UNDER 50,000: 50% of the grant funding must be used for self-conducted arts programs or subgrants to other organizations

Note: County governments and school systems serving as temporary partners may not use any grant funds for general operating support.

Additional requirements

The Grassroots Arts Program is subject to a comprehensive set of requirements and guidelines that can be found in the Grassroots County Partner Guidebook [DOCX]. The most noteworthy of those requirements are:

• Matching requirement of one-to-one cash match
• Following a standardized subgranting processes

Spending plan submission

All Grassroots County Partners must submit an annual spending plan that is reviewed and approved by NC Arts Council staff before being considered for funding. For efficiency, the spending plans are due on the same date as the previous year's Grassroots final report.