Support for Organizations Grant Program

The Support for Organizations grant program, administered by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), is a city-funded initiative designed to support nonprofit and fiscally sponsored arts and cultural organizations within Houston. HAA operates under contract with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and receives its funding from the City of Houston’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). These funds are earmarked to sustain and enhance the city's arts and cultural programming, with a focus on broad accessibility and public engagement. The Support for Organizations grant is one of several core annual grant opportunities offered by HAA, alongside the Support for Artists and Creative Individuals (SACI) and Festival Grant programs. The program accepts applications annually and is organized into three categories to reflect the varying size and structure of participating organizations. Category 1 is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations that have been in operation for at least one year and may request up to $125,000 or 20% of their operating expenses (excluding in-kind). Category 2 serves newer 501(c)(3) organizations, those with less than one year of operations, and fiscally sponsored entities, with a maximum award of $62,500 or 10% of the arts program budget. Category 3 is reserved for large arts organizations that have been operating for at least five years, deliver year-round public programming, and have operating expenses exceeding $10 million. These applicants may request up to $1,000,000 or 3% of their qualifying expenses. Grant funds must be used for public-facing arts and cultural activities occurring within the Houston city limits during the specified grant term. Projects must feature at least one in-person or live virtual public event and demonstrate a strong public benefit. Organizations applying must provide proof of physical headquarters in Houston and adhere to eligibility documentation requirements, including a valid 501(c)(3) designation or fiscal sponsorship agreement. All applicants must submit a Cultural Data Profile for FY2024 through SMU DataArts or complete a budget table if exempt from this requirement. Specific financial documentation such as audits and statements may be required depending on the organization’s category. Applications are evaluated through a peer review panel that scores proposals based on artistic programming (45 points), public benefit (30 points), and stewardship of public resources (25 points). Evaluation includes an objective financial review using submitted SMU DataArts profiles. Projects that show investment in individual artists and demonstrate alignment with Houston’s diverse communities score higher. Additionally, organizations may qualify for the Creative Impact Boost if they meet criteria related to leadership diversity, budget size, and service to marginalized communities, potentially increasing awards by 45% up to a $20,000 cap. Applications for the 2026 Support for Organizations grant open on June 15, 2026, and close on July 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST. The grant performance period runs from January 1 to December 31, 2027. All applications must be submitted through the HAA Online Grants Portal. Final decisions are made following a multi-step process involving panel review, HAA’s internal committees, and final approval by the City of Houston. Grant recipients are notified via email and must credit the City of Houston and HAA in all promotional materials. A final report is due within 30 days of the grant term’s end, including a URL to the posted City-funded event.

Applicants are advised to attend informational workshops and maintain contact with HAA for scope and budget clarification. Financial documentation errors must be cured within four business days.