Arts and Culture General Operating Support

Background

Arts and culture organizations are critical to thriving communities. They shape our cultural landscape and can play an instrumental role in our communities and the region by generating social, physical, and economic benefits.¹ These benefits are often not experienced equally, especially for communities that have been historically under-resourced; including communities of color, immigrants, people living in poverty, and members of disability communities. By creating equitable access to arts and culture experiences, organizations can ensure these benefits are well distributed. But some do more than produce excellent work – they become an essential part of the communities they serve. They are where artists are supported and developed, and where residents find themselves reflected and welcomed. We provide general operating support to arts and culture organizations that deliver artistically strong and relevant arts and culture experiences and use their resources, relationships, and influence to help shape the people and places they are part of. 

1. The Kresge Foundation & ICIC (2019). The Overlooked Anchors: Advancing a New Standard of Practice for Arts and Culture Organizations to Create Equitable opportunity in America’s Cities

Opportunity Overview

The Foundation seeks to support artistically exceptional arts and culture organizations that understand themselves as important contributors to the region's civic infrastructure. This contribution is not simply a matter of producing excellent work or serving large audiences; it means playing a structural role in the region by serving as a gathering place, a civic partner, an economic actor, or a trusted institution that community members rely on in ways that go beyond performances or exhibitions.  

This RFP seeks to support high quality arts and culture organizations that have rooted themselves in community life in ways that people depend on. Examples include the following:

• Authentic consideration of the experiences of historically marginalized communities in all aspects of the organization’s work to ensure that the benefits of cultural experiences are accessible to them
• Practices embedded through the organization to address historical barriers to participation
• Durable partnerships that leverage organizational resources — space, staff expertise, purchasing power, partnerships, and networks — to create meaningful and lasting community benefit

We are requesting proposals for three years of unrestricted operating support. This funding opportunity is for organizations with fiscal years beginning any time between January through June 2027. We expect this investment to strengthen grantees' financial stability, deepen their community relationships, and build their capacity for artistically strong, inclusive programming. Proposals should reflect thoughtful strategies for organizational practices and programming that are tied to the priorities and interests of the communities they serve. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of organizations. 

The Foundation’s Arts and Culture program focuses on work that celebrates creativity, artistic and cultural practices, and positive community impact. The program also recognizes the interconnectedness of creative works and the expressions of a cultural community that may carry artistic or creative value. We encourage organizations to describe their mission, operations, and activities in ways that align with this focus. Organizations that fulfill the review criteria and additional considerations described on pages 7-9 are encouraged to apply.

WPF has a total of $4 million available to advance this objective. WPF values diverse approaches from various organizations to address the objective, and we aim to attract and fund a range of organizations. The maximum total grant amount requested cannot exceed $675,000. Maximum possible grant amounts are calculated as a proportion of the organization’s operating expenses from its most recently completed audit or financial statements. Please visit the “How to Apply” page on our website for the type of financial information required based on organization budget size. Refer to the table on page 11 for maximum allowable amounts. 

Full Request for Proposals (RFP) and Application 

Download the full RFP packet for more information about this opportunity including eligibility, review criteria, learning and insights, budget, and link to an application template.

All applications must be submitted through the Grants Portal.

Webinar

Interested organizations are invited to participate in an optional informational webinar on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET. Following the live webinar, a recording will be posted to this page.

Register for the Webinar