The Regional Arts Commission’s is providing arts and culture nonprofits with the opportunity to apply for unrestricted funding. This builds equity into our processes, enhances our grantees’ capacity, and resilience in our vibrant arts organizations. Unrestricted funding allows grantees the flexibility to direct spending where it is needed, while addressing key infrastructure issues.
The Organizational Grant category provides a one-year, unrestricted, renewable, and flexible grant to support the day-to-day operations or programs of nonprofit arts and culture mission-driven organizations that produce and present arts and culture programming in St. Louis city and county.
Are you looking to submit a final report?
Final reports for grants received in 2025 will be submitted through the Blackbaud portal through the button below. Please contact grants@racstl.org if you have any questions about your final report.
frequently asked questions
Is RAC launching a new grant cycle in Fiscal Year 2026?
RAC is NOT launching new grant applications in FY26. Due to continuing financial volatility and RAC’s 2026–2030 Strategic Roadmap, RAC will use 2026 to determine how we will move forward in 2027 and beyond with new grantmaking processes.
Why isn’t there a new grant cycle in Fiscal Year 2026?
This pause allows RAC to support eligible and high-scoring 2025 grantees and applicants while navigating financial challenges and planning for a stronger, more sustainable grant program in the future.
Who is eligible for Fiscal Year Organizational or Program Support funding?
Only FY25 Organizational and Program Support grantees are eligible to receive FY26 funding. Please see the FY25 list of grantees here.
What do Fiscal Year 2025 grantees need to do to receive Fiscal Year 2026 funding?
Eligible grantees must complete three steps:
- Complete the SMU DataArts Profile (Organizational grantees only)
Instructions will be sent by the grants team after the first of the year. - Complete the FY26 Eligibility Assessment
All FY26 requirements and documentation must be submitted. Instructions will be sent by the grants team in Q2 2026. - Submit all required FY25 grant reports
Reports must be completed and submitted on time.
Please email grants@racstl.org with any questions.
How much funding will organizations be eligible for?
FY26 grantees are eligible for and expected to receive 80% of their 2025 grant award. Please see the FY25 list of grantees here.
When will Fiscal Year 2026 payments be issued?
Grant payments will be made in Q4 2026 (October 1 – December 31, 2026).
When will organizations receive more details about the process and timeline?
Organizational and Program Support grantees will receive detailed process and timeline information from the grants team in Q2 2026 (April 1 – June 30, 2026).
When is Q2 and Q4 in RAC’s fiscal year?
- Q2: April 1 – June 30
- Q4: October 1 – December 31
All timelines referenced in this FAQ correspond to these fiscal quarters.