Eligibility:
- The applicant organization or fiscal sponsor must be tax-exempt and in good standing under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
- Fiscal Sponsors may only be used in the Planning Grant category.
- NEW: All applicant organizations must be in good standing with the California Franchise Tax Board. To check or update your status visit:
https://webapp.ftb.ca.gov/eletter/?Submit=Check+Status
- The applicant organization must be San Francisco-based.
- The organization (and its fiscal sponsor, if applicable) must demonstrate a San Francisco corporate address. Documentation demonstrating a San Francisco corporate address must be submitted with the application. For a complete list of acceptable forms of proof of corporate address, please see the CRSP application instructions.
- NEW: The applicant organization must articulate a consistent programmatic history and public benefit to the City of San Francisco, its neighborhoods and communities over the last two years (since October 2020). Please see the instructions document for further information on the San Francisco Art Activities requirement.
- The applicant organization’s mission statement must be clearly focused on the development, production, and/or presentation of arts activities and/or youth arts activities in San Francisco.
- Level 2 Applicant Organizations must either hold title or be in possession of a qualifying lease or have a letter of intent from the property owner to enter into a qualifying lease or sale.
- The applicant cannot be part of another City agency or department.
- The organization’s annual operating revenue must not exceed $3,000,000.
- Fiscal sponsors: Organizations that exceed the $3,000,000 income cap due to regranting or non-arts related emergency COVID response funds must verify their operational budget without pass-through funds at the time of application. Applicants must upload audited financials from the most recently completed fiscal year demonstrating the dollar amount of pass-through funds.
- Applicants must not be in default on any grants or loans from: (1) SFAC; (2) other City departments (including but not limited to the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Grants for the Arts); (3) Northern California Grantmakers Arts Loan Fund; (4) Community Vision Capital and Consulting; (5) Community Arts Stabilization Trust; and/or (6) the Center for Cultural Innovation. This default clause was expanded due to the fact that SFAC has fiduciary relationships with these particular organizations.
- The proposed project must take place in San Francisco between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 for Planning and Level 1 grants.
- The proposed project must take place in San Francisco between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2025 for Planning and Level 2 grants.
- The organization must be willing and able to meet the requirements associated with receiving funds from the City and County of San Francisco. In order to receive a grant payment from the San Francisco Arts Commission, the organization must become a registered, compliant supplier and meet the City of San Francisco’s insurance and business tax requirements. For more information about supplier requirements, visit: https://sfcitypartner.sfgov.org/pages/become-a-supplier.aspx. Please note: you will only be required to register as a City Supplier if you are awarded a grant. Insurance and business tax requirements will be explained and made available upon approval of grant awards.
- An organization awarded a grant pursuant to this application must agree to comply with the requirements of the 38th Supplement to Mayoral Proclamation Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Emergency Declaration”), dated February 25, 2020, and the Contractor Vaccination Policy for City Contractors issued by the City Administrator (“Contractor Vaccination Policy”), as those documents may be amended from time to time.

Ineligible Expenses
Grant funds may not pay for:
1. Activities outside of San Francisco;
2. Deficit reduction;
3. Start-up money for new organizations;
4. Routine and ongoing maintenance;
5. Down payments or lease deposits;
6. Projects that do not result in reasonable access for individuals with disabilities under the ADA.

For information about fiscal sponsors, see the guidelines:
https://www.sfartscommission.org/sites/default/files/FY23%20CRSP%20Guidelines_FINAL_1.pdf#page=7

Restrictions can be found at https://www.sfartscommission.org/sites/default/files/FY23%20CRSP%20Guidelines_FINAL_1.pdf#page=8.

Information Sessions:
- Grant Information Session: September 30, 2022 at 1 p.m.
- San Francisco Arts Organizations Information Session: October 6, 2022 at 12 p.m.
- Fiscally Sponsored Artists, Organizations, & Fiscal Sponsors Information Session: October 7, 2022 at 12 p.m.
- Application Work Sample Information Session: October 11, 2022 at 12 p.m.
- One-on-One Consultations: October 3 - October 25, 2022

Contact staff for more information.

Important Dates:
- Grant Information Session: September 30, 2022 at 1 p.m.
- San Francisco Arts Organizations Information Session: October 6, 2022 at 12 p.m.
- Fiscally Sponsored Artists, Organizations, & Fiscal Sponsors Information Session: October 7, 2022 at 12 p.m.
- Application Work Sample Information Session: October 11, 2022 at 12 p.m.
- One-on-One Consultations: October 3 - October 25, 2022
- Application Deadline: October 26, 2022 at 12 p.m.
- Grant Panel Review: February – March 2023
- Funding Recommendations: April 2023
- Commission Approval: May 2023
- Notification of Funding: May 2023
- Grant Period: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023 or June 30, 2025

Applications must be submitted online. Emailed or faxed applications are not accepted.

Only one application may be submitted to this grant category.

Partners and collaborators cannot apply separately for the same project.

In order to receive a grant payment from the San Francisco Arts Commission, you must become a registered, compliant supplier and meet the City and County of San Francisco's insurance, business tax, and equal benefits requirements. For more information about supplier requirements, visit https://sfcitypartner.sfgov.org/pages/become-a-supplier.aspx.

Please note: You will only be required to register as a City supplier if your application is approved for funding.

Estimated Size of Grant: