NEA Challenge America Arts Grants

Deadline: April 27, 2023 (advised to begin registration process on SAM.gov and Grants.gov by the end of March)

Since 2001, the National Endowment for the Arts grant program, Challenge America, has promoted equal access to the arts in communities across America. Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines that extend the reach of the arts to populations that are underserved. The program features an abbreviated application, a standardized $10,000 grant amount, and a robust structure of technical assistance to facilitate entry to Arts Endowment funding opportunities. This category is an entry point for organizations seeking Arts Endowment funding as first-time applicants as well as previous Arts Endowment applicants who have not been recommended for funding in the last three years. 

Applicants fitting the eligibility requirements may be arts organizations, local arts agencies, arts service organizations, local education agencies (school districts), or other organizations that can help advance the goals of the NEA. The following are eligible to apply:

• Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations;
• Units of state or local government; or
• Federally recognized tribal communities or tribes.

Challenge America supports arts projects in all artistic disciplines. Projects must extend the reach of the arts to populations that are underserved. Possible projects include, but are not limited to: arts programming, including commissioning or presentation of artists or artwork; marketing and promotional activities; and organizational planning. Projects may consist of one or more specific events or activities, and should not cover an entire season of programming. Applicants should carefully read the application Review Criteria and address those criteria in the application. All grants require a nonfederal cost share/match of at least 1 to 1 ($10,000 consisting of cash and/or in-kind contributions). For more information, please visit the website: https://www.arts.gov/grants/challenge-america.