RAC’s 2027-2030 Grants For Organizations include: Program Support Grants, Organizational Grants, and Pillar Grants. Of the three categories, Program Support has undergone the fewest changes, and Organizational Grants closely resemble the previous Organizational Grant program, while Pillar Grants represent the next level of multi-year support for organizations with large budgets.
These changes reflect RAC’s commitment to responsible and sustainable grantmaking. The tiered structure establishes clear guardrails to help ensure that organizations are not overly reliant on RAC funding and creates a pathway for organizations to access increased support as their budgets and capacity grow.
Please note: All timelines and deadlines will be published on the RAC website in Fall 2026.
PROGRAM SUPPORT GRANTS
Program Support Grants are largely unchanged from previous years and will continue to provide program or project support in the production and/or presentation of artistic activities to non-arts organizations or fiscally-sponsored projects.
Purpose: for non-arts organizations that present/produce arts programming AND for fiscally-sponsored projects
Grant Size: maximum
of $10K
Structure: approximately 50 grants a year
ORGANIZATIONAL GRANTS
Organizational Grants will include tiers to be determined by an organization’s average annual expenses over the previous three fiscal years. Each tier will establish a maximum award amount and a maximum percentage of the organization’s annual expenses that the RAC grant may represent.
Purpose: to provide unrestricted support to arts nonprofits
Grant Size: maximum of $100,000
Structure: approximately 115 grants a year
2027 ORGANIZATIONAL TIERS
PILLAR GRANTS
Pillar Grants are an invitation-only grant application process designed to provide stable and reliable multi-year funding to the largest arts and culture organizations, with approximately equal representation between organizations based in the City and County. These grants will be awarded for a three-year period, from 2027 through 2030.
Pillar Grant recipients will report on trackable metrics and deliverables that go beyond the requirements of RAC’s Organizational Grants. Award amounts will be determined based on the organization’s average annual audited expenses over the previous three fiscal years. In 2030 RAC will reassess the Pillar Grant organization composition at the conclusion of this pilot.
Purpose: to provide
multi-year funding to the largest arts and culture organizations
Grant Size:
$100,000-$300,000
Structure: Invitation-only grants to 15 organizations for 2027-2030
PILLAR GRANT CRITERIA
- Application required for first year organization is eligible, organization must continue to meet criteria
- History of at least five years of providing artistically significant programming to large and diverse audiences
- Average of last three years of expenses must be over $1,500,000
- Minimum of 5 full-time staff (or full-time equivalent)
- Conduct an annual independent audit
- Have a board-approved strategic plan and/or stabilizing or growth plan
- Organization follows equitable hiring and fair compensation practices for all employees and contractual creatives
- Contributes to and/or implements strategies designed to increase cultural tourism and attract visitors and businesses
- Organization remains in good standing with RAC, communicating any shifts in governance, financial condition, or reputation
- Organization delivers programming that celebrates St. Louis’s identity as an inclusive and accessible cultural destination
- Organization conducts a minimum of two youth-focused education programs annually as part of a larger community outreach initiative
- Organization is encouraged to engage in one or more creative partnerships with small or mid-sized nonprofit arts organizations annually
2027–2030 PILLAR GRANTEE – ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS
COCA (Center of Creative Arts)
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
Counterpublic
Craft Alliance
Jazz St. Louis
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Opera Theatre St. Louis
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Saint Louis Ballet
STAGES St. Louis
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
The Black Rep
The Muny
The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries
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 – 2026 grants
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.
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 2026 Organizational or Program Support funding?
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
The purpose of this form is to collect updated contact information for the 2026 Organizational Grant and to confirm that the organization continues to meet the eligibility criteria for RAC Organizational Grant funding. Eligible organizations will receive the form in late August/September 2026. - Submit all required FY25 grant reports
Reports must be completed and submitted on time. 2025 Organizational Grant Final reports are due August 17, 2026.
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).
How will organizations receive more details about the process and timeline?
All eligible 2025 Organizational grantees have been contacted with the 2026 Organizational Grant process. Please note that email notifications were sent to the account associated with the 2025 Organizational Grant application. If the person who submitted the 2025 application is no longer with the organization, please contact grants@racstl.org for further instructions.
What is the 2026 Organizational Grant Period?
The activities and/or operations being funded must take place between November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2027. Organizations that need adjustments to this timeline may contact the grants team at grants@racstl.org.