New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

Ocean County, New Jersey- The New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund (NJACRF) is now accepting grant applications. This fund was established to ensure the survival and strength of the state’s arts and culture sector during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. No organization or culture worker has been immune to the impact of this crisis, but data has revealed that the disruption has disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), as well as historically under-resourced organizations serving BIPOC communities. Therefore, the Fund is committed to a transparent, equity-centered process to ensure that the funds represent and support the most under-resourced and under-served populations of New Jersey.

Nonprofit arts, culture and historic organizations may apply for grants of up to $50,000 to mitigate pandemic-related financial losses and expenses in the following areas:

• Personnel

• Operations and Equipment

• Professional Services

• Intermediary Regranting for Individual Artist support

To apply, nonprofits must serve New Jersey communities. They must also have:

• at least one part-time paid staff person.

• a primary mission in the arts, arts education, or history.

• been in operation for at least two years.

• pre-COVID budget expenditures up to $3 million (There is no budget limit for organizations applying for intermediary regranting to artists.)

The fund will be hosting two virtual Grant Information Sessions on Oct 6 & Oct 8 from 1 to 2pm. Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Dec. 1, 2020 or until available funding is committed. Additional funding cycles are expected to be announced at a later date.More detailed information, including eligibility requirements and the link to the online grants application portal, are available in the NJACRF grant guidelines here

The Fund was created with a lead contribution from the Grunin Foundation. Other founding funders include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the Prudential Foundation. NJACRF has subsequently received generous support from the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Evelyn McGee Colbert and Stephen Colbert, Tracey and Jon Stewart, the Stone Foundation of New Jersey, the E.J. Grassmann Trust and a growing list of donors. To date, the Fund has received $2.3 million in support to keep the arts alive in New Jersey.