Statewide Service Organizations

About

This category supports organizations that provide leadership and services to a particular sector of the arts industry. Funded services include newsletters, conferences, workshops, consultations, and resource publications. Statewide Service Organizations (SSOs) must serve the entire state or a multi-state region inclusive of North Carolina.

Application dates

• Open: January 5, 2026
• Due: March 2, 2026

Grant amount

• Range: From $5,000 to $30,000

Who may apply

North Carolina-based organizations that provide programs and services to the arts community on a statewide or multi-state regional basis are eligible to apply. First-time applicants to this category should consult with staff to determine eligibility.

Scope and allowable expenses

Grant funds support administrative and program expenses directly related to the proposed programs and services. Grant amounts generally range from $5,000 to $30,000 and must be matched dollar for dollar by the organization. Grant amounts are based on the organization’s application rating, operating budget size, and N.C. Arts Council funding history.

Funded programs and services may include newsletters, listserv and website management, conferences, workshops, classes, consultations, research, resource publications, presentations, and the development and distribution of promotional materials.

Application information

The following questions and documents will be required for the application. Reach out to your staff contact for questions or application assistance.

Profile questions

If you’re applying on behalf of an organization, first check whether your organization already has a profile in our grant system. If not, you’ll need to create one. Each applicant must also set up a separate user profile. The organization profile requires details such as the authorized signatory, Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) numbers, mission statement, and documentation of nonprofit status.

Select your grant type and category

Select the following when navigating the grant system to direct your application to the appropriate program.

Application narrative

1. Provide an overview of your programs and activities for the proposed grant year. Include information about the location(s), date(s), and price range for audiences and participants to engage with the programs. Give details about the artists/arts leaders who will conduct programs, including their compensation and what their connection/relevancy is to the community/audience served.
2. Describe the audiences you serve with your current programs, including number of people served, geographic reach, and demographic details. Indicate how you gather information about participation in your program (e.g., point of purchase, audience/membership surveys, concessions inventory).
3. Describe your planned audience engagement activities for the proposed grant year, focusing on outreach, educational and interpretive programs, communications and marketing, and strategic partnerships in the community. Examples of these types of programs are workshops, in-school performances, field trips, lecture series, post-performance discussions, publications, and other ways you connect artistic content with the audiences you serve.
4. Describe the key board and staff members who serve in leadership roles. Give recent examples of how your board actively promotes, participates in, and provides resources for the organization.
5. Describe your organization’s financial condition, including information about accumulated debt, deficits, surpluses, principal sources of revenue, cash reserves, and endowments.
    

Staff contacts