Applicant Resources

Who can apply for grant funding?
We support artists, schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Rhode Island only.

What if my organization doesn’t have 501(c)(3) status?
You can apply using a fiscal sponsor. A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status that acts as applicant and grant recipient on your behalf. The organization serving as the fiscal sponsor must demonstrate solid fiscal and administrative capability and be a nonprofit registered in the state of Rhode Island. Your application must include a letter from the fiscal sponsor confirming the relationship. Fiscal sponsor letter.

How do I decide which grant to apply to?
The first step is to scan our grant offerings and decide which is the best fit for you. We provide grants for artists, arts and culture organizations, arts education, arts and health, and folk artist fellowships and apprenticeships. Once you choose a program, carefully read through the guidelines.

Can I apply for more than one grant at a single deadline?
You can only apply for one grant during a cycle.

Do you have any examples of grant applications?
You can view a pdf of a sample grant application.

What is a Unique Entity ID (UEI)?

All organizations applying for a grant with us will need a federal UEI number. You can apply for a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) at sam.gov. We recommend you request a UEI as soon as possible to ensure you have it by the application deadline.

The registration for a UEI is free. However, be weary of the many scammers. Make sure you are doing this process through the sam.gov website and only trust communications that come from sam.gov regarding registration and annual renewals.

When are the application deadlines?

The application deadline of April 1 by 11:59 p.m. is for the following grants.

Project Grants for Organizations
Project Grants in Education
Arts and Health Grants
Community Engaged Project Grants
Make Art Grants
Folk Arts Apprenticeships
Folk Arts Fellowships

Other deadlines are:

General Operating Support for Artists opens Aug. 1 with a deadline of Oct. 1.
Rhode Island Teaching Artist Roster opens May 1. With a deadline of July 1.
Rolling deadlines:
- Big Yellow School Bus typically opens Sept. 1.
- Artist Open Studio Tour opens July 1.

Note: Both these grants are disbursed on a first come, first served basis. You must apply for a grant in the state’s fiscal year, July 1 to June 30, the event will occur.

Our grant system automatically shuts down at exactly 11:59 p.m.

What if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?

If a deadline falls on a weekend or official state holiday, the deadline will move to 11:59 p.m. on the next business day.

When do you send out grant notifications?

For applications submitted at the April 1 deadline, we send notifications around mid-June after the General Assembly has approved the budget and the Governor has signed it. You will receive an email, sent through the online grant platform, letting you know if you received the grant and next steps. The grants support projects happening between within the state’s fiscal year, July 1 and June 30. Check in with the grant’s program director if you have concerns about timing.

How do I apply?

RISCA only accepts applications through the online grant system Foundant. Please note there are two different grant portals. One for artists and one for organizations. You will need to log in and set up a profile.

What if I do not have access to a computer?

Check in with your local library where computers are readily available. If not available, a librarian can help you find a location.

Do you offer grant application support?

We provide several grant support options, from one-on-one meetings to grant workshops (in-person and online) to drop-in hours for last minute application support. Information about them can be found on each individual grant page. We also have pre-recorded grant workshops from past cycles and other helpful videos on our YouTube Channel.

We recommend reaching out to the program director early for the grant program you are interested in applying if you want to meet one-on-one. Staff listing.

If I have a disability or are not comfortable writing or communicating in English, may I request accommodations?

No qualified individual, based on disability, shall be excluded. For questions on accommodations, contact Seamus Hames, Arts Education Program Director and 504 Accessibility Coordinator, at 401-222-6994 or seamus.hames@arts.ri.gov.

Note: Both RISCA’s website and our online grant system, Foundant, offer translation of the entire sites.

How can I get assistance with the budget form?

Our grants directors offer help sessions for making a budget. If you need assistance set up an appointment. Our YouTube channel has a helpful video about budgeting.

What can I spend grant money on? What can’t I spend grant money on?

Grant funds can be spent on:

Paying artists and arts administrators for their time.
Space rental.
Purchasing supplies.
Marketing.

Due to the rules and regulations around our funding, grantees can never spend funding on:

Capital improvement projects, like the construction or renovation of buildings or major permanent equipment purchases.
Addressing, eliminating, or reducing existing debt or for contributions to an endowment fund.
Development or fundraising, such as social events or benefits or any fundraising expenses.
Entertainment and hospitality, including expenses for activities such as receptions, parties, galas, etc. Specific costs that have a core programmatic purpose and are included in your budget may be allowable.
Prizes and awards for an event, person, and/or organization.
Regranting the funds to other artists or organizations through an application or award process.
Activities that are associated with a graduate or undergraduate degree program or for which academic credit is received.
Applications for projects that proselytize or promote religious activities, or which take place as part of a religious service.
Programming, performances, and exhibitions unavailable and/or inaccessible to the public. This includes programming that occurs in a space that does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Expenses incurred or activity happening outside of the award period.

What does partial funding mean, and how does it work?

Partial funding is when the grant awarded is not the full amount requested in the application. We receive far more applications than the amount of funding available, so one way we ensure an equitable distribution of funding is to award partial grants.

However, no applications will receive less than $1,000 or 50 percent of the application request, except for the grant programs, Big Yellow School Bus, and Artist Open Studio Tour.

What happens when my project gets partially funded?

If you receive less than your full request, RISCA does not expect you to complete the project as proposed in your application. We recommend you scale back the project based on the award amount or spread out the project over a longer period. If you need to change the project dramatically, you will need to notify the grant program director via email.

If I cannot complete the project due to partial funding, can I decline the grant? Will there be consequences?

We understand that there are many reasons you are unable to complete a project, and declining a grant will have no impact on future applications or eligibility. To decline a grant, notify your program director and mark “decline grant” on your grant agreement form.

For more information and to view one of our videos, visit our YouTube Help Playlist of workshops and help resources. Among the helpful videos are a recording of a grant application workshop, How to Make a RISCA Budget with Jori Ketten.

What are grants and how do they work?

A grant is a financial award given for a specific purpose, usually through an application process. The money is awarded by a funding organization — such as a government agency, a private foundation, a corporation, or a university or research facility— to support a specific project, organization, cause, or purpose. Grants are not loans, and do not need to be paid back, but they do have certain guidelines about when and how the funds can and can’t be used.

To get a grant, an entity could be an individual, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, a school, etc. and must meet certain eligibility requirements and submit an application. If you or your organization receives a grant, you must use the money for the purpose you applied for and follow the rules and guidelines set by the funder organization. It is important to note that most grant award money is taxable income for individuals.

How Grants Work

Find a grant that fits your needs. Pay special attention to the grant’s eligibility criteria —such as geographic limitations, the type of entity the grant is for what the grant does and does not fund, funding rules and restrictions, and deadlines.
To apply for a grant, you must submit an application that includes a proposal explaining who you are, your project, its goals, how much money you need, and how you’ll spend the money. This may include a plan for your project, a budget, a timeline, biographical information, and details about who is involved. The application is the best opportunity for you to show who you are and why you deserve the award, so be thorough, thoughtful, and attentive.
Once the application is submitted, the funder organization will review it. They look at whether the project is a good fit for their goals and if it’s likely to succeed. Be aware of decision timelines and when the funds are awarded- it often takes a significant amount of time to process grant applications and receive payments.
After you receive the grant, you must spend the money on what you said you would in your application and within the specified time frame. Some grants require regular updates or a final report to show how you’re using the money and what progress you’ve made. This helps ensure the money is spent properly.

Artist Statement

What is an Artist Statement?

An artist statement describes the “why” and the “how” of your creative process. The statement may address your body of work, a collection of work, or speak to a specific piece of art. It gives the audience context about the artist, their inspiration, the artwork, and/or the process.

Why is an Artist Statement important?

An artist statement is helpful to your audience, allowing them into the thoughts behind your work. In a way, an artist statement can teach an audience member how to look at or engage with your work.

How to Write Your Own Artist or Mission Statement Resources: