ArtsFund

A huge thank you to our friends at Black Philanthropy: Our Stories – A Simuel + Murray Podcast for inviting ArtsFund President & CEO Michael Romy Greer on the podcast to explore how removing barriers to funding can strengthen communities, support creativity, and foster a more equitable arts ecosystem. 🎙️Listen here https://lnkd.in/g-xrNNbM.

The application for the 2026 Community Accelerator Grant is now open! ➡️: Apply at https://lnkd.in/g5wjNN9x. The deadline to submit is 5:00 pm on Friday, August 21. Please visit our website to check program eligibility and to get answers to the most frequently asked questions. RESOURCES: 📄: Translated Documents 💻: Translated Info Session ABOUT In partnership with Allen Family Philanthropies, the Community Accelerator Grant, now in its fourth year, provides unrestricted grants to cultural nonprofit organizations across Washington state. A total of $10 million will be distributed. New this year, the program's eligibility will focus on organizations with annual operating budgets between $25,000 and $1 million, recognizing the impact that small- and medium-sized nonprofits have in their sector and that these grants will have an outsized impact on organizations with budgets under $1 million.

Thank you, K&L Gates, for an incredible 26th employee giving campaign! We are grateful for your continued support that has provided $569,904 to the arts and culture sector. Thank you for raising $16,099 this year! Partnerships like this are key to uplifting ArtsFund's mission to support the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grantmaking in order to build a healthy, equitable, and creative Washington. Special thanks to Andrea Templeton, Partner, and Whitney McCollum, Partner, at K&L Gates for their leadership and support of this year's campaign. We'd also like to thank Jeremy Matheis and Choir Of The Sound for performing several songs and speaking about the vital role of the arts in creating a healthy community. To learn more about Workplace Giving with ArtsFund, please contact Sienna Jessurun, Engagement Coordinator, at sienna.jessurun@artsfund.org or 206-203-2255.

🗣️: They're here! The preview application for the 2026 Community Accelerator Grant, along with the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Demographic Data Use Statement, and info session has been translated into ten languages: Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Prospective applicants can access these resources by visiting https://lnkd.in/gxTTDUQ2. ABOUT In partnership with Allen Family Philanthropies, the Community Accelerator Grant, now in its fourth year, provides unrestricted grants to cultural nonprofit organizations across Washington state. A total of $10 million will be distributed. New this year, the program's eligibility will focus on organizations with annual operating budgets between $25,000 and $1 million, recognizing the impact that small- and medium-sized nonprofits have in their sector and that these grants will have an outsized impact on organizations with budgets under $1 million.

ArtsFund awards grants to arts and culture organizations in Washington through annual and special programs.  On the last day of Week of Gratitude, we want to thank you for your support of ArtsFund which makes it possible to provide unrestricted funding opportunities to Washington’s arts and cultural nonprofits. In 2026, your belief in arts and culture allows us to support our Washington communities through several grantmaking opportunities, including: ❇️Community Accelerator Grant distributes $10 million across the state to arts and culture organizations. ❇️Creative Equity Fund supports organizations led by and serving communities that have not often received large-scale philanthropy. ❇️ Allocations provides unrestricted grants to support organizational health and strengthen the Puget Sound arts ecosystem. ❇️ Youth Arts Opportunity Fund supports organizations within our Cultural Partners Network that provide arts opportunities to youth. For more information on our shared impact, please visit https://lnkd.in/gj4Havay. Photo by A Real Grip, courtesy of LANGSTON Seattle Photo by Richard Termine, courtesy of Meany Center for the Performing Arts Photo by Alicia Diamond, courtesy of Urban ArtWorks Photo by James Holt, courtesy of Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO)

ArtsFund believes that strong data, both quantitative and qualitative, can drive meaningful advocacy and change narratives. On the second day of Week of Gratitude, we thank you for your support which enables us to conduct comprehensive research on the civic infrastructure of the arts and cultural sector and to engage with the broader community. Most recently, your support translates into our advocacy work through: 🎨: Arts and culture research (LIS) 📝: State of the Sector 🧑🏾💼: Engaging with elected officials at Arts, Heritage, and Science Week For more information on our shared impact, please visit https://lnkd.in/gj4Havay. Photo by Emilie Smith, courtesy of Artist Trust Photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn, courtesy of Earshot Jazz Photo courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre

⏰ LAST CHANCE to register for our info session about the 2026 Community Accelerator Grant! On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, ArtsFund staff will walk prospective applicants through the application process, review eligibility parameters, and provide an opportunity for a question-and-answer session. 🔗 Register at https://lnkd.in/gfdRERBQ. ABOUT The Community Accelerator Grant, now in its fourth year, provides unrestricted grants to cultural nonprofit organizations across Washington state. A total of $10 million will be distributed. New this year, the program’s eligibility will shift to focus on organizations with annual operating budgets of $1 million or less, recognizing the impact that small- and medium-sized nonprofits have in the sector and that these grants will have an outsized impact on organizations with budgets under $1 million.

Happy Week of Gratitude! Every year, ArtsFund takes a moment to express our appreciation for your unwavering support of our programs, Cultural Partners, and the arts and culture in Washington. On the first day of Week of Gratitude, we want to thank you for your support that allows us to offer a nonprofit Board Leadership Training course as well as ongoing Convenings for the cultural sector. Our longstanding BLT program helps develop the next generation of community and civic leaders by equipping them with essential skills for supporting arts and cultural organizations. Our Convenings support cultural administrators by providing trainings with experts designed to foster discussion and provide applicable tools. Here's what an anonymous participant said about our most recent Convening, Financial Clarity for Creative Sustainability with C. Lorenzo Evans III. "C. Lorenzo was great! The information shared was very helpful for non-profit operations. Especially understanding how to gauge financial health through specific processes, statements, and strategy." For more information on our shared impact, please visit https://lnkd.in/gj4Havay. Photo by Alicia Diamond, courtesy of Urban ArtWorks Photos by Giao Nguyen

Look who we spotted at last year's Celebration of the Arts! 🔍 Erin (May) Hobson, ArtsFund Board Member 🔍 Elizabeth MacPherson Hearn, ArtsFund Board Member 🔍 Andrew Recinos, ArtsFund Board Member Join us this year for an opportunity to mingle and connect at https://lnkd.in/gRtQ23hN.

ArtsFund's office is closed from Monday, June 29, to Friday, July 3. We wish everyone a summer full of sunshine, cool breezes, and endless adventures! ☀️