How to Apply

Cultural Development Program

Please review the comprehensive program guidelines posted below.  The Cultural Trust recognizes that many organizations are challenged to prepare project-based applications during this time. We encourage creative thinking and contingency planning. The Trust acknowledges the need for organizations to adapt to changing circumstances and public health mandates.

Cultural Development Program applications are reviewed and scored by individuals chosen for their diverse cultural expertise and geographic, ethnic and gender diversity. Please use this PANEL INTEREST FORM to nominate yourself or another individual to serve as a Cultural Trust grant review panelist.

The FY2023 application cycle closes Friday, May 6, 2022. Funding decisions will be made at the July 28, 2022 Cultural Trust Board of Directors meeting.

FY2023 Cultural Development Grant Guidelines

The FY2023 Cultural Development Program will support projects taking place between September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023. First time grant seekers interested in applying for Cultural Trust grants are encouraged to schedule a 30 minute phone consultation with Trust Manager Aili Schreiner (aili.schreiner@biz.oregon.gov) or (503) 428-0963.

Program awards are made in four categories and are intended to fund arts, heritage, history, preservation and humanities programs. Cultural Development Grants are for project activities that:

• protect and stabilize Oregon’s cultural resources;
• expand public awareness of, access to and participation in quality cultural experiences in Oregon;
• ensure that Oregon cultural resources are strong and dynamic contributors to Oregon’s communities and quality of life; and
• build an understanding of the value and impact of culture to Oregonians.

The four program categories are:

• Access: Make culture broadly available to Oregonians;
• Preservation: Invest in Oregon’s cultural heritage by recovering, preserving and sharing historic assets and achievements;
• Creativity: Create and/or present cultural or scholarly work; Support the development of artists, cultural experts, or scholars who promote culture as a core part of vibrant communities; and
• Capacity: Strengthen cultural organizations to increase stability, improve sustainability, or measure/share cultural impacts.

Application Assessment Rubrics

The following rubrics shall accompany the Cultural Development program guidelines. Applicants are advised to use the descriptive qualities in crafting an application. Panelists are advised to use the same descriptive qualities to assign a score for each application section:

• Access Application Assessment Rubric
• Preservation Application Assessment Rubric
• Creativity Application Assessment Rubric
• Capacity Application Assessment Rubric

The Trust’s two non-competitive grant programs fund the Trust’s five statewide Cultural Partners and 45 County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions.

Have questions? Contact Aili Schreiner at aili.schreiner@biz.oregon.gov or 503.428.0963. You may schedule a 30 minute consultation before April 8; draft applications will receive feedback if received prior to April 22, 2022.

Organizational & Professional Development Grants 

The Organizational & Professional Development Grant Program is a capacity building opportunity available to cultural nonprofits in Oregon, as well as Cultural Trust County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions. Applying organizations must have an annual operating budget of under $1 million to be eligible to apply.

The fiscal year 2023 cycle will reopen September 1, 2022 for FY2023 applications. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a quarterly basis to support activities taking place between September 1, 2022 – July 30, 2023:

• Summer cycle applications: submit in July, 2022
• Fall cycle applications: submit in September, 2022
• Winter cycle applications: submit in January, 2023
• Spring cycle applications: submit in April, 2023

Funded by the Cultural Trust’s Statewide Cultural Partners, this grant program will support activities beginning anytime after September 1, 2021 and completed by July 30, 2022. This program has two categories:
Organizational Development – maximum request $2,000
Professional Development – maximum request $750

• FY2022 Organizational & Professional Development Grant guidelines and application form
• FY2021 Organizational & Professional Development Grant- Final Report form

Have questions? Contact Aili Schreiner at aili.schreiner@biz.oregon.gov or 503.428.0963.

Cultural Coalition Grants

FY2023 Cultural Coalition Grants will be awarded in late summer, 2022.

Cultural Coalitions may now submit their FY2022 Contact Form to cultural.trust@oregon.gov. Please include as attachments:

• Updated Board Roster: Include names and contact information
• Grant Guidelines & Application: Have you updated your grant guidelines or application since last year? If yes, please attach your new versions (PDF format)
• Cultural Plan: Have you updated your Cultural Plan? If yes, please attach your updated plan (PDF format). For tribal coalitions, your Cultural Resource Department Plan can be submitted instead.

Questions? Please contact Kat.Bell@oregon.gov or (503) 986-0082 or Aili.Schreiner@biz.oregon.gov or (503) 428-0963.

Cultural Participation Final Grant Reports

Final grant reports for FY2021 Cultural Participation grants for County and Tribal Coalitions must be submitted by February 1, 2022. The final report form is a fillable PDF.

• FY2021 Cultural Participation (Coalition) Grant Final Report Form
• FY2021 Cultural Participation (Coalition) Sub-Grant Forms

Please submit your completed form and send to: cultural.trust@oregon.gov. Questions? Call us at (503) 986-0082.