America 250 Grant

You are eligible to apply for this grant if you meet the following criteria: 

• You are an individual, organization, or community group that offers arts, history, or cultural-based programming or projects in Boise, Idaho. 
• You, your organization, or community group resides or operates generally within Ada, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, and/or Gem County. 

Your project is eligible to be funded by this grant if it meets the following criteria: 

• Centers arts, history, or culture-based activities. 
• Is free or low cost ($20 or less per person) and/or provides scholarships or financial aid to participate. 
• Is completed by an individual, a representative of an organization, or a representative of a community group that operates within Ada, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, and/or Gem County. 
• Will take place within Boise City Limits.
• Will occur between April and September 2026. 
• Meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards regarding physical accessibility to project venues.
• Complies with the Department of Arts & History Equal Opportunity Statement: Boise City Department of Arts & History does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or disability.
• Includes a balanced budget using the provided template. 
• Requested grant funds do not exceed 50% of total project expenses.  

Types of eligible projects include: 

• Public programs (presentations/lectures, workshops, guided tours, trainings, etc.) 
• Events
• Performances
• Exhibits 
• Educational experiences 
• Collaborations or innovative productions that cultivate the cultural community 
• Research, planning, and/or analysis that is available for Boise residents to help strengthen Boise’s cultural base
• Virtual and online versions of the above or other projects, with a clear intent to reach Boise residents 

The guaranteed funding available for the America 250 Grant is $30,000 to be distributed among selected projects. Funding amounts will vary based on the number and scope of applications received, and not all applicants are guaranteed an award. 

Applicants may apply for the following amounts of funding: 

• $1,000
• $1,500
• $2,000
• $2,500
• $3,000
• $3,500
• $4,000
• $4,500
• $5,000 

Funding requests may not exceed 50% of the total project expenses, as outlined in the Budget Excel sheet in the Attachments section of the application.  

For example, if your total project expenses are $4,000, you may request up to $2,000. Please note that, depending on available funds, the award you receive may be less than the amount requested.  

The following types of organizations, projects, and requests are not eligible for funding. This list is not exhaustive, so please contact staff if you have any questions about eligibility. 

Ineligible Individuals or Organizations 

• Government agencies at the city, county, state, or federal level 
  (Nonprofit “Friends of” groups ARE eligible.)
• Organizations that already receive significant in-kind support from the City of Boise, such as use of a city-owned facility. 
• You, your organization, or community group resides or operates outside of Ada, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, and/or Gem County. 
• You are a City of Boise employee proposing a project that could fall within your regular scope of work. 

• Projects focused on general operating or seasonal support 
  (Grants must fund a specific project or event.)
• Public art projects (e.g., sculptures, murals, traffic boxes, etc.)
  (Contact Public Art staff for related opportunities.)
• Projects expecting or implying that the City of Boise will add materials to its collections, assist with or manage any part of the project, or provide ongoing care or maintenance of the result of the project.
• Projects advocating for or against a religion or political group. 
• Fundraising events, capital campaigns, or endowment funds. 

• Expenses such as personal education, training, professional development, travel, emergencies, loans, software, website domains, or buying equipment. 
• Salaries or staff positions.
• Rent or operating costs for your own space. 
• Lobbying or political activities, including efforts to influence elections. 
• Capital improvements such as building renovation, construction, or real estate purchase. 

1. I/My organization meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements as outlined in the Grant Guidelines. 

   If you are unable to check all the boxes below, we suggest adjusting your proposal before moving forward with the application.

   • My project centers arts, history, or culture-based activities. 
   • My project is free or low cost ($20 or less per person) and/or clearly provides scholarships or financial aid to participate. 
   • This application is being completed by an individual, a representative of an organization, or as a representative of a nonprofit Friends group associated with a government agency that operates within Ada, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, and/or Gem County.
   • My project will take place within Boise City Limits.
   • My project or program will occur sometime between April 2026 and September 2026. 
   • My project meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards regarding physical accessibility to venues.
   • My project complies with the Department of Arts & History Equal Opportunity Statement: Boise City Department of Arts & History does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or disability.
   • My application includes a balanced budget using the provided template.  
2. Select all that are characteristics of your application/organization. Please select all that apply. 
   • I/My organization either: 1) consulted with Arts & History Grants Program Manager about this proposal, 2) attended one of the Grant Information Sessions or later watched the recorded session or 3) obtained a draft review from Arts & History staff.
   • I/My organization is a first-time applicant.
   • None of the above. 
3. Please provide a brief description of your project.  
4. Please identify specifically how you will use the requested funds.
5. Which category best describes your project or program? Please select all that apply
   
   • Educational Opportunity
   • Event
   • Exhibit
   • Oral History Project
   • Performance
   • Presentation or Lecture
   • Research or Publication
   • Virtual or Online
   • Workshop
   • Tour
   • Training
   • Collaborative or Innovative Production
   • Other 
6. Which America 250 theme(s) most closely aligns with your project. Please select all that apply. 
   • Unfinished Revolutions: Encourages reflection about ongoing change & how foundational ideals (freedom, justice, democracy) are still “works in progress.”
   • Power of Place: How geography, local stories, landscapes, and communities shape identity, memory, and historical meaning.
   • We the People: A focus on telling inclusive stories, considering who is included / excluded in narratives; community voices; project might include participatory approaches.
   • American Experiment: Framing the U.S. as an ongoing experiment in governance, democracy, rights; embracing both aspiration and contradiction.
   • Doing History: How history is made today: who gets to tell it, what voices are heard, and using historical practice as part of civic engagement / education. 
7. Elaborate on how your project connects to the America 250 theme(s) you selected.
8. Describe how this project or program supports the City of Boise's vision to create A City for Everyone and aligns with Arts & History's mission to cultivate a distinct sense of place that reflects Boise’s rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting.
9. Describe how your project will provide value or benefit to Boise residents.
10. Describe your intended audience(s) for this project. Explain the marketing and promotional strategies you will use to reach them.
11. List all key individuals involved in this project or program, including artists, historians, cultural experts, and project manager(s). For each person, provide: 
    • Their name and role in the project
    • Whether they are paid or volunteer
    • A 1-2 sentence summary of their relevant background and experience
    • Optional: Upload additional materials such as resumes or bios in the Attachments tab. 
12. Describe how your project will be accessible and affordable to participants. Include any accommodations or services you plan to offer, such as those related to hearing, vision, physical accessibility, language translation, transportation, or cost (e.g., scholarships, free admission, or sliding-scale fees).
13. Estimate how many people you expect to be involved with AND attend your project or program at the various price levels.  
    

    Free or low-cost ($20 or less per person) is most appropriate for this grant program. 

    • # of People involved with Production
    • # of People Attending (Audience Members and/or Participants) - FREE Access
    • # of People Attending (Audience Members and/or Participants) - Paying $20 or less Per Person
    • # of People Attending (Audience Members and/or Participants) - Paying $20.01 - $30.00 Per Person
    • # of People Attending (Audience Members and/or Participants) - Paying $30.01 to $40.00 Per Person
    • # of People Attending (Audience Members and/or Participants) - Paying $40.01 and higher Per Person
    • TOTAL 
14. What kinds of legal, licensing, insurance, or other project management details do you expect you will need to address? 
15. Provide a timeline of key tasks related to your proposal. It may help to organize by time frames (such as monthly) or by category (such as planning, production, promotion, evaluations, etc.).
16. Describe how you will measure the success of your project or program and determine whether it achieved your intended goals.