GRANT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What is NCV?
The Neighborhood Cultural Vitality (NCV) grant program grew out of a desire to support projects that celebrate, recognize, and bring together the city's diverse neighborhood cultures. The program was also designed to elevate and honor the extraordinary work of the creative community, opening opportunities for greater community engagement and growth through creative programming.
The Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grant provides support to arts and cultural programming and services within the city of New Haven. Communities include under-served populations, mental health programs & facilities; youth & senior programs and centers; hospitals and mixed or lower income housing are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should also consider use of New Haven’s public parks and spaces.
Priorities
More than ever, this work must be grounded with accountability and commitment to equitable systems change. NCV projects are at the core of our city's wellbeing. To that end, a remarkable group of artists, arts activists, leaders, organizers, consultants, and community members who believe in the power of the arts and culture in New Haven came together to develop the Cultural Equity Plan. NCV projects are meant to not only reflect the values of this plan, but also to activate the possibilities and recommendations within it.
Projects Should:
- Influence our economy
- Drive social innovation
- Serve as conduits to propel us toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
Program Updates
- Project Period: March 23, 2025 – February 21, 2026.
- Award Categories and Funding Levels
- Applicant/Artist Categories
- Applicant Requirements
- Grant Program Goals
- Panel Review Process
- Strategy and Scoring
- Transparency Statement
- Virtual programming and performances permitted on a limited basis.
Program Notes
- For-profit entities are ineligible to apply.
- Due to budgetary uncertainty, fewer awards may be granted. Additionally, future or multi-year funding is unconfirmed.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- These are very competitive grants. The City of New Haven cannot be the sole funder of a project. Applicants should seek out other forms of support (including in-kind not to exceed 50% of other forms of support). For example, additional funding support may be from individuals, community/neighborhood sources, corporate sponsorships, and foundation support (private or public).
- Applicants who have received awards in consecutive years for the same project or program are encouraged to submit proposals for new or existing projects that have not yet received funding.
- Please note: Use of Grants Program funds are restricted to the project period. Activities that occur outside of project period do not qualify for funding.
GRANT WRITING RESOURCES
Continued access to From Idea to Funded Project, a free online grant writing course, presented by Carnelian LLC is available by registration. Registering will provide access to course documents, resources and recordings.
Attend one of the free or low cost grant writing workshops hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven (https://www.cfgnh.org/strengthening-nonprofits/workshops-events) and the New Haven Free Public Library (http://nhfpl.org).
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
Reach out to the Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism at any point within your process to get answers to your questions, for support in completing your application, or navigating any aspect of your process. One-on-one sessions to discuss your project concept or application are available. Contact the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism to request an appointment or by calling (203) 946-7172.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND DEADLINE
The application deadline is now 11:59pm March 2, 2025.
Note: Applications will only be received through the online grants portal.
If you have questions or need further instructions, please call the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism at (203) 946-7172.
AWARD NOTIFICATION
Final decisions will be announced via the grants portal March 31, 2025. Due to the limited funds available and the large number of anticipated applications no applicant is guaranteed to receive funding.
Award distribution will begin no sooner than April 1, 2025.
CONTRACT
Award recipients will receive a grant recipient contract specifying the specific project for which funds are given, terms of the grant, procedure for payment of funds and reporting requirements. Recipients must sign and return the contract signifying agreement to its terms. No major changes can occur, either in activities or fund use, without requesting and receiving prior approval, in writing, from the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism. The same approval process must be followed to secure any extension of report deadlines in writing by January 26, 2026.
Individual artists and organizations without federal identification numbers who receive an award will be required to complete a W9 in order to receive payment. Additionally, recipients will be checked for any outstanding taxes due to the City of New Haven.
PAYMENT OF AWARD
Awards will be distributed on a 50/50 percent basis. Recipients are eligible to receive 50% of the grant award upon execution of award Agreement with and submission of initial payment form. The balance of the grant award (50%) is payable upon completion of the Project, submission and approval of the final report and final payment form. Many times funds may not be received prior to the start of a project. Checks may take 4-6 weeks to process. Applicants should plan their cash flow accordingly. Additionally, award funds are restricted to use within the project period (March 23, 2025 - February 21, 2026).
Note: Funds will not be disbursed if awardee owes personal or property tax to the City of New Haven. To confirm that you have no outstanding tax payments please contact the Tax Collector’s Office, located in New Haven City Hall, 165 Church St. Its hours are Monday through Friday 9am-5pm, (203) 946-8054.
IMPROPER USE OF FUNDS AWARDED
Grant awards cannot be used to eliminate a deficit, as awards for competitions, to purchase personal property, for endowments or activities restricted to members or residents. Additionally, awards cannot be used to fund individuals for personal use, for-profit organizations, projects in schools during school hours, political causes, candidates, campaigns, organizations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation, or travel (either by group or individuals).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Award recipients are required to acknowledge the City’s contribution in all materials and announcements published related to the Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grant funded activities with the use of the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism logo and following credit line “made possible with the support of the City of New Haven Mayor’s Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grants Program”. Note: the logo should be used with or in place of the above credit line on all printed and electronic material related to the funded project.
Recipients must notify the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism of its project date at least thirty (30) days prior to the event. Two or more tickets to non-free events should be made available to the Cultural Affairs Commission. Additionally, awardees are required to send a letter to their Alderman thanking them for support of the funded project. A list of Aldermen is available here.
Award recipients who have not sufficiently documented their acknowledgement of the City of New Haven support with their final report will be placed on a probation and will be ineligible to apply for the next funding cycles.
FINAL REPORT
All award recipients are required to submit a Final Report no later than March 20, 2026. in order to be eligible to receive the final award installment. Project extensions must be requested by January 26, 2026. Additionally, recipients should submit a copy of all printed materials (posters, flyers, advertisements, program booklets, media articles, etc.) to the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism either as part of the 30-day notification or as part of the final report.
Please note: Failure to submit a final report within 30 days of the funding cycle end date will result in the withdrawing of the remaining balance of the award.
2025 Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grant Program
GRANT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What is NCV?
The Neighborhood Cultural Vitality (NCV) grant program grew out of a desire to support projects that celebrate, recognize, and bring together the city's diverse neighborhood cultures. The program was also designed to elevate and honor the extraordinary work of the creative community, opening opportunities for greater community engagement and growth through creative programming.
The Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grant provides support to arts and cultural programming and services within the city of New Haven. Communities include under-served populations, mental health programs & facilities; youth & senior programs and centers; hospitals and mixed or lower income housing are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should also consider use of New Haven’s public parks and spaces.
Priorities
More than ever, this work must be grounded with accountability and commitment to equitable systems change. NCV projects are at the core of our city's wellbeing. To that end, a remarkable group of artists, arts activists, leaders, organizers, consultants, and community members who believe in the power of the arts and culture in New Haven came together to develop the Cultural Equity Plan. NCV projects are meant to not only reflect the values of this plan, but also to activate the possibilities and recommendations within it.
Projects Should:
- Influence our economy
- Drive social innovation
- Serve as conduits to propel us toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
Program Updates
- Project Period: March 23, 2025 – February 21, 2026.
- Award Categories and Funding Levels
- Applicant/Artist Categories
- Applicant Requirements
- Grant Program Goals
- Panel Review Process
- Strategy and Scoring
- Transparency Statement
- Virtual programming and performances permitted on a limited basis.
Program Notes
- For-profit entities are ineligible to apply.
- Due to budgetary uncertainty, fewer awards may be granted. Additionally, future or multi-year funding is unconfirmed.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- These are very competitive grants. The City of New Haven cannot be the sole funder of a project. Applicants should seek out other forms of support (including in-kind not to exceed 50% of other forms of support). For example, additional funding support may be from individuals, community/neighborhood sources, corporate sponsorships, and foundation support (private or public).
- Applicants who have received awards in consecutive years for the same project or program are encouraged to submit proposals for new or existing projects that have not yet received funding.
- Please note: Use of Grants Program funds are restricted to the project period. Activities that occur outside of project period do not qualify for funding.
GRANT WRITING RESOURCES
Continued access to From Idea to Funded Project, a free online grant writing course, presented by Carnelian LLC is available by registration. Registering will provide access to course documents, resources and recordings.
Attend one of the free or low cost grant writing workshops hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven (https://www.cfgnh.org/strengthening-nonprofits/workshops-events) and the New Haven Free Public Library (http://nhfpl.org).
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
Reach out to the Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism at any point within your process to get answers to your questions, for support in completing your application, or navigating any aspect of your process. One-on-one sessions to discuss your project concept or application are available. Contact the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism to request an appointment or by calling (203) 946-7172.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND DEADLINE
The application deadline is now 11:59pm March 2, 2025.
Note: Applications will only be received through the online grants portal.
If you have questions or need further instructions, please call the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism at (203) 946-7172.
AWARD NOTIFICATION
Final decisions will be announced via the grants portal March 31, 2025. Due to the limited funds available and the large number of anticipated applications no applicant is guaranteed to receive funding.
Award distribution will begin no sooner than April 1, 2025.
CONTRACT
Award recipients will receive a grant recipient contract specifying the specific project for which funds are given, terms of the grant, procedure for payment of funds and reporting requirements. Recipients must sign and return the contract signifying agreement to its terms. No major changes can occur, either in activities or fund use, without requesting and receiving prior approval, in writing, from the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism. The same approval process must be followed to secure any extension of report deadlines in writing by January 26, 2026.
Individual artists and organizations without federal identification numbers who receive an award will be required to complete a W9 in order to receive payment. Additionally, recipients will be checked for any outstanding taxes due to the City of New Haven.
PAYMENT OF AWARD
Awards will be distributed on a 50/50 percent basis. Recipients are eligible to receive 50% of the grant award upon execution of award Agreement with and submission of initial payment form. The balance of the grant award (50%) is payable upon completion of the Project, submission and approval of the final report and final payment form. Many times funds may not be received prior to the start of a project. Checks may take 4-6 weeks to process. Applicants should plan their cash flow accordingly. Additionally, award funds are restricted to use within the project period (March 23, 2025 - February 21, 2026).
Note: Funds will not be disbursed if awardee owes personal or property tax to the City of New Haven. To confirm that you have no outstanding tax payments please contact the Tax Collector’s Office, located in New Haven City Hall, 165 Church St. Its hours are Monday through Friday 9am-5pm, (203) 946-8054.
IMPROPER USE OF FUNDS AWARDED
Grant awards cannot be used to eliminate a deficit, as awards for competitions, to purchase personal property, for endowments or activities restricted to members or residents. Additionally, awards cannot be used to fund individuals for personal use, for-profit organizations, projects in schools during school hours, political causes, candidates, campaigns, organizations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation, or travel (either by group or individuals).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Award recipients are required to acknowledge the City’s contribution in all materials and announcements published related to the Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grant funded activities with the use of the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism logo and following credit line “made possible with the support of the City of New Haven Mayor’s Neighborhood Cultural Vitality Grants Program”. Note: the logo should be used with or in place of the above credit line on all printed and electronic material related to the funded project.
Recipients must notify the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism of its project date at least thirty (30) days prior to the event. Two or more tickets to non-free events should be made available to the Cultural Affairs Commission. Additionally, awardees are required to send a letter to their Alderman thanking them for support of the funded project. A list of Aldermen is available here.
Award recipients who have not sufficiently documented their acknowledgement of the City of New Haven support with their final report will be placed on a probation and will be ineligible to apply for the next funding cycles.
FINAL REPORT
All award recipients are required to submit a Final Report no later than March 20, 2026. in order to be eligible to receive the final award installment. Project extensions must be requested by January 26, 2026. Additionally, recipients should submit a copy of all printed materials (posters, flyers, advertisements, program booklets, media articles, etc.) to the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism either as part of the 30-day notification or as part of the final report.
Please note: Failure to submit a final report within 30 days of the funding cycle end date will result in the withdrawing of the remaining balance of the award.