Annual Grant Program
2026 Applications Now Closed
SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED
Next Opening: May 2026
The purpose of the Annual Grant Program is to help fund meaningful creative projects and programs for Boise residents which supports the Department of Arts & History's (A&H) mission to cultivate a distinct sense of place which reflects Boise's rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting by creating opportunities that nurture and sustain Boise's creative economy. We envision the program helping to bring people together and build positive relationships that help create A City for Everyone.
The program operates on an yearly cycle by fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) and offers awards between $1,000 and $5,000 (in $500 increments) with funding awarded reaching $150,000 annually to support people in established and emerging cultural fields with projects designed to benefit the community.
Application
The 2026 Annual Grants Application is now closed.
The Department of Arts & History uses the AmpliFund platform (previously ZoomGrants) for Grant applications. Need help with creating an account or have other AmpliFund questions? Check out these resources:
Eligibility
To be considered for funding through the A&H grant program, proposals must:
- Be completed by an individual*, as a representative of an organization, or as a representative of a nonprofit Friends group associated with a government agency.
- Directly benefit residents living within Boise City Limits. If the project involves an event, the venue must be located within Boise City Limits.
- Meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards regarding physical accessibility to project venues.
- Comply 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.
- Include a budget using the template provided in the application and on the website.
* Individuals may apply, but this grant does not fund professional development or creation of individual work without a public component (that is, having the work accessible for free or low cost to the public).
Timeline & Review Process
- Application Opens: May 1, 2025 | 12: a.m.
- Staff Assistance Ends: June 16, 2025 | 5:00 p.m.
- Application Closes: June 16, 2025 | 11:00 p.m.
- Applicants Notified: September 2025
After June 16, a review panel evaluates all applications and makes recommendations to the Department of Arts & History staff. The panel is made up of members of the Arts & History Commission and arts and history practitioners from diverse communities. The panel works both independently and alongside Arts & History program staff to evaluate grant applications, ensuring an equitable, fair and thorough review and ranking process.
Staff then finalizes recommendations and presents them to the Arts & History Commission. Final recommendations from the Commission are submitted to Mayor and City Council, and provides at least two weeks for comment or questions prior to sending notifications of award status.
Note: All participants in the A&H grant review panel are bound by a conflict of interest policy. An actual or apparent conflict of interest relates to a fiduciary, professional, or personal relationship with an applicant that would prevent an unbiased review.
Guidelines & Criteria
Review the Annual Grant Program Guidelines.
The Annual Grant Program supports the Department of Arts & History's (A&H) mission to cultivate a distinct sense of place that reflects Boise's rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting by creating opportunities that nurture and sustain Boise's creative economy. The Arts & History Grand program reflects priorities as outlined in the City of Boise Cultural Master Plan {LINK}.
Grants are reviewed by a panel consisting of members of the community and the Arts & History Commission, and awarded based on quality, community benefit, alignment with the City of Boise's vision of a City for Everyone, accessibility, and management. Read the criteria descriptions closely and refer to them as you answer the application questions.
For purposes of this grant, reviewers will look for the following information when evaluating your application for quality:
- A clear description of the project, including its artistic, historic, and/or cultural components and details on how funding will be used.
- Biographies that describe the background, experience, and training of people included in your application who will be relied upon for artistic, historical, and/or cultural expertise. Such expertise may be acquired in various ways, such as:
- Formal educational settings (school, college, certification programs, etc.);
- Passed down within a community or cultural group;
- Jobs, apprenticeships, and internships;
- Non-traditional settings; and/or
- A combination of any of the above.
Describe how your proposal will benefit Boise residents and contribute to our cultural community. Be sure to clearly explain the following:
- Why your project is meaningful - capture what drives the project and why it is important for Boise residents.
- Intended Audience(s) - clearly describe the types of audiences you plan to attract and/or be involved with your project, and describe how you plan to promote/market your project to the intended audience(s). Note: a project can have a small audience and still have a community benefit.
The priority of this grant program is to fund projects and programs that:
- Bring people together and build positive relationships that ultimately help create A City for Everyone.
- Clearly aligns with the Department of Arts & History's mission to cultivate a distinct sense of place that reflects Boise's rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting.
This grant program seeks to fund projects and programs that are:
- Affordable - free or low-cost experiences ($20 or less per person) are most appropriate for this grant program or where scholarships/financial aid is offered.
- Inclusive - the project offers accommodations or services related to hearing or vision, physical accessibility, language translation, scholarship, financial aid, etc.
Be sure to clearly explain the following:
- List the person or people responsible for the project and their related management skills.
- Planning and logistics, such as licenses or approvals needed, venue reservations, timeline, and project evaluation measures.
- A complete, balanced budget. You must use the Excel sheet provided in the application to fill out your budget. Read the instructions carefully, and be sure to note the following:
- The budget must balance (total project expenses = total project income)
- Provide an explanation for each line you fill out (Column E, "Description)
Templates & Resources
Information Sessions
All individuals or organizations applying for funding through the 2026 Annual Grant Program are encouraged, but not required, to attend a grant information session offered by the Boise City Department of Arts & History. Department staff will walk through the guidelines and answer questions about the application process. The virtual information session will be recorded and uploaded to the website and YouTube for those unable to attend. Watch the recordings:
