Quick Grant Program

The Quick Grant program is an initiative of the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), a nonprofit organization based in California that supports artists, creatives, and cultural practitioners. CCI’s work centers on building the capacity and resilience of individuals and organizations in the arts and culture sector. The Quick Grant program represents one of its strategic efforts to directly enhance the professional development and long-term sustainability of arts professionals across the state. Originally launched in 2009, the Quick Grant program reached a milestone in 2024 by marking its 15th anniversary. Over that period, it has demonstrated a strong track record of enabling artists and arts workers to make outsized impacts through relatively small financial investments. The Quick Grant provides up to $600 in funding for professional development activities. The grant is open to individual artists, creatives, cultural producers, and cultural practitioners who reside full-time in California, as well as staff of nonprofit arts organizations located specifically in San Francisco or San José. The grant aims to support these individuals and organizations in their efforts to build administrative capacity, develop business skills, and enhance financial resilience. Eligible activities under this grant include attending conferences, enrolling in workshops, and receiving guidance from mentors, coaches, or consultants. It also covers indirect costs associated with these activities such as travel, accommodations, caregiving costs, and membership fees related to professional networking or field-specific knowledge development. To be eligible, proposed activities must begin after the grant’s notification date. For example, applications due by June 15, 2026, must propose activities that begin on or after July 16, 2026. Activities must also be educational in nature, leading to new skill acquisition or increased administrative effectiveness. Notably, projects that focus solely on artistic or creative skill development, or those that involve subcontracting work (e.g., hiring someone to build a website) without clear professional development goals, are ineligible. Additionally, activities proposed by individual artists to support an organization’s operations, or vice versa, are not allowed. Funding is also not available for art supplies, materials, regular salaries, or tuition-related expenses. Since November 2025, individual applicants are required to complete an identity verification process through Submittable, the program’s online application platform. This step is designed to ensure that grant funds are directed to eligible applicants. Staff applicants from nonprofit arts organizations are exempt from this identity verification requirement due to their eligibility being validated through organizational documents. This update reflects CCI’s ongoing efforts to maintain fairness and integrity in grant administration. The application process is designed for ease and timeliness. Applications are accepted monthly, with deadlines falling on the 15th of each month at 11:59 a.m. PT. The program operates on a one-month turnaround, meaning notifications are sent out on the 15th of the following month via Submittable. For example, for the April 15, 2026 deadline, notifications will be sent on May 15, 2026. Prospective applicants can preview the application and review guidelines available on the CCI website, and support is available through email and phone for questions or technical issues. Applicants are encouraged to participate in periodic information sessions hosted by CCI, such as the one held on September 17, 2025, which provided helpful application guidance and answered common questions. The grant program continues to be supported by a range of philanthropic partners and public funders, including the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, among others. This collective support ensures the program remains a vital resource for the state’s arts and cultural workforce.

Make a strong case for skill-building; activities must start at least one month post-deadline