Operating Support Grants
ArtsFairfax’s largest grant program, Operating Support Grants promote organizational stability by providing arts organizations with the resources to become more resilient, adaptable, and nimble for sustainability, change, and growth.
Operating Support Grant Information & Resources
- Dates & Deadlines
- Information Session
- Guidelines & Eligibility
- Application & Templates
- Applicant Resources
- Award Process
- For FY26 Grantees
FY27 Operating Support Grant Timeline
Information Sessions
The FY27 Operating Support Grant Information Session took place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. During Information Sessions, ArtsFairfax Grants Staff review eligibility requirements, grants guidelines, and the panel and award process. Applicants are not required to attend.
Guidelines & Eligibility
Small Organizations
Small Organizations (budgets under $100,000) may request up to 25% of general operating expenses up to $15,000.
Medium/Large Organizations
Medium/Large Organizations (budgets over $100,000) may request 15% of general operating expenses up to $60,000.
Application & Templates
Organizations with budgets under $100,000 are eligible for the Small Organization Application. Organizations with budgets over $100,000 are eligible for the Medium/Large Application. Your organization’s budget size is determined by the expenses from your most recently completed fiscal year. Do not include in-kind or pass through funds in this calculation. Additional information regarding budget levels can be found in the complete Grant Guidelines documents.
For your reference only, templates of each application are available for download. All application materials must be submitted through the ArtsFairfax online application system.
Program and Activities Table & Financial Table
All applicants must complete the Program and Activities Table and Financials Table as part of their submission. Applicants to the Small Application and the Medium/Large Application complete the same templates:
Additional Required Documentation
View the Operating Support Grant Guidelines for additional specifics.
Review & Award Process
Following the grant application deadline, ArtsFairfax staff determines whether an applicant is eligible and whether an application is complete. Staff may contact applicants for additional information needed to determine eligibility. If an applicant is determined to be ineligible, the application will be rejected without evaluation. Also, incomplete applications are subject to rejection without evaluation. If an application is rejected, the applicant will be notified by email.
All eligible and complete applications are evaluated by panel review. Review panels are comprised of approximately four to six individuals who have no conflicts of interest. They review and evaluate each eligible application on its own merits. ArtsFairfax selects panel members for their diverse backgrounds, expertise in a particular arts discipline, knowledge of grant practice, and/or knowledge of the community.
ArtsFairfax will notify applicants of the schedule for the panel meeting. Panel meetings will be livestreamed and open for observation by applicants. Staff will provide applicants with notes summarizing the panel discussion and comments on their application.
The ArtsFairfax Board of Directors makes the final funding decisions based on the evaluations by the panels, available funds, and the overall goals of the Operating Support Grant and of ArtsFairfax.