Overview

Spark Grants provide easy-to-access funds with a quick turnaround time to artists, arts & culture non-profits, and creative businesses in need of funding (up to $1000) to pilot a public initiative or event that “sparks” from a conversation at a monthly Creative Meetup or from the Neighbor Up Arts & Culture Network Night Gatherings.

A decision on your application will be made within 7 business days after you submit. Funds will be distributed within 14 days upon approval of your application. You must have a non-profit organization serve as your fiscal sponsor.

Decisions are made by a team of three: a member from Neighbor Up, a member from Creative Meetups, and a member of Assembly for the Arts.

 

Your request for a Spark grant must:

  • Emerge from a conversation at monthly gathering hosted by Creative Meetups or from a quarterly Neighbor Up Arts & Culture Network Night.
  • Be centered in arts and culture.
  • Be a public initiative and community-based.
  • Enhance opportunities or provide resources for other artists and creatives.
  • Include at least three unrelated people who come from different organizations.
  • Not be politically partisan.
  • Must work to bridge social capital (trusting relationships) across lines of difference (race, geography, ethnicity, class, etc.).
  • Must take place in Cuyahoga County.

 

Applying for a Spark Grant:

Submitting a Spark Grant application does not guarantee funding. The funding amount provided will be at the discretion of the Spark Grant Review Committee based on available funding for this program.  The Spark Grant Review Committee is comprised of three artists who organize the monthly Arts Gathering – one member from Neighbor Up, one from Assembly for the Arts, and one from Neighbor Up.  There is a total of $20,000 available in 2024.

To apply for a Spark Grant, please click here to access the online grants portal or download a copy here:  Spark Grant Application.

Do you need a fiscal sponsor?  The Assembly for the Arts can help. Click on this link for more information. 

Questions? Contact Neighborhood Connections at sparkgrants@neighborhoodgrants.org

 

These grants are generously supported by funds from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Neighborhood Connections.