The Minority Arts and Education Fund, soon the be known as the Equity in the Arts Fund (EITAF), seeks to strengthen and build the capacity of organizations that promote the arts and cultures of communities of color and to provide meaningful creative opportunities for artists of color.
Now through Nov. 1, 2021, the fund is accepting applications for grants ranging from $5,000 – $20,000 to organizations that are led by people of color and serve, engage in, and promote the arts and cultures – both traditional and new – of communities of African, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous and Middle Eastern descent.
Organizations may apply for grants to:
- Strengthen and/or grow their capacity to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and representative arts and cultural programming and services; and/or
- Host fellowships for artists of color. The artist will individually develop a vision and craft a personal professional arts experience that provides them with meaningful opportunities to create new work, practice arts management skills, and engage with the community.
Who can apply?
At least one organization currently holding 501(c)3 tax-exempt status must serve as the lead applicant for an EITAF grant. Organizations that do not currently have 501(c)3 tax-exempt status are eligible to apply in partnership with a tax-exempt organization, and the fiscal sponsor must be the organization completing the application. Artist fellowships will not be awarded directly to artists; a 501(c)3 organization must apply to host a fellowship opportunity.
Applicants who have not previously received a grant from the EITAF are encouraged to apply.
How to apply
Application instructions are provided in the Request for Proposals document, which can be downloaded by clicking the button above. PLEASE NOTE: There is a specific application portal for the EITAF, which is different than the foundation’s normal grant application portal. Here’s how to access it:
- Visit the Grants Gateway here. (If you do not already have login information, please complete the Grantee Login Request Form here.)
- Once you log in, please establish or update your organization profile.
- From the Grants Gateway home page, click to the “Apply for a Grant” page.
- On the “Apply for a Grant” page, scroll down to find the Equity in the Arts Fund and click “Apply.”
Questions?
For programmatic questions or information, contact: EquityintheArtsFund@clevefdn.org
For application or technical questions, contact: Grants Management: 216-615-7254 or grantsmgmt@clevefdn.org
On Sept. 9, we hosted an informational webinar on this grant opportunity. If you weren’t able to attend, you can watch a recording of the webinar here. (Passcode: D@tKwP43)
More about the Equity in the Arts Fund
The Minority Arts and Education Fund, soon to be known as the Equity in the Arts Fund (EITAF), a supporting organization of the Cleveland Foundation, was established in 1994 to provide for the planning, preparation, production, and/or presentation of cultural, educational, and scientific programs and projects which promote and benefit Cleveland’s minority populations.
The EITAF is an endowed fund with assets of approximately $3.6 million, providing grantmaking in the local community from investment income. The board of directors is comprised of two appointees by the Mayor of the City of Cleveland, two appointees by the Chair of City Council, and five appointees by the Cleveland Foundation.
