Grant Guidelines & Application

NOTICE: Please review grant guidelines and application carefully before contacting the EAI with any questions.

OPEN: March 16 to April 16, 2026, 11:59 PM

Grants Awarded: By mid July 2026

GRANT AMOUNTS $

• Individual Artists: $2,500 to $10,000
  Must apply with a fiscal agent (See “Responsibilities of the Fiscal Agent” below)
• Arts Organizations: $10,000 to $25,000
  Must be a 501C3 arts non-profit organization

FUNDING PRIORITIES

The Eastside Arts Initiative (EAI) strengthens the arts in Eastern Los Angeles County by supporting local artists and nonprofit arts organizations whose creative work brings innovative, long-lasting, community-rooted programming.

1. Fund artist-led and nonprofit arts programming
2. Support the implementation of innovative creative work
3. Advance programming with lasting value
4. Open pathways to opportunities in the arts and creative industries

REVIEW CRITERIA

Grants are awarded through a competitive process based on the funding priorities and the following criteria:

1. Significance: The program fills an arts or cultural need in the community and demonstrates long-lasting value.
2. Distinction/Innovation: The concept is creative and offers unique experiences for participants/audiences or both.
3. Approach: Implementation and outreach plans are well thought-out, clearly outlining how goals will be achieved within a specified period.
4. Impact: The program advances the arts in Eastern Los Angeles County.
5. Feasibility: The program budget and goals are realistic and achievable.

IMPORTANT

• For questions or technical support, please contact the EAI during business hours by email only: arts@eastsideartsinitiative.org. Include full name, phone number, name of organization (if applicable), along with the specific question/s.
• Contact information in registration as well as the application, must be about the direct applicant, not the fiscal agent or the person helping to complete the application. There is a section in the application for information about the fiscal agent or person completing the application.
• An individual artist does not have a 501c3 Tax ID and must not enter a social security number or the fiscal agent’s Tax ID in the registration section. All information needed for the fiscal agent is requested in the application under the “Fiscal Agent” section.
• Use the correct grant application link according to applicant type: “individual artist” or “arts organization”.
• Ensure that all documents and links included in the grant application open easily, do not require passwords, and accessibility does not expire.
• Keep a copy of grant proposal in the unlikely event it is lost due to a technical malfunction.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING (Optional)

Applicants are encouraged to join one of the two virtual meetings to ask questions about EAI funding, guidelines, and application Thurs, Mar 19, 2026:

12PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/re26gister/musSsTJMSo2ngbBljWOreA

7PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YUMEH__eQei13XRi81bNTg

ELIGIBILITY / REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

• Grants are available to individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations based in and/or serving Eastern Los Angeles County, including: Pico Union; Westlake/Rampart; Downtown LA to East L.A.; Northeast LA to the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys; and the Southeast LA/Gateway communities (Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, El Monte, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, South Gate, Vernon, and unincorporated Walnut Park).
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Individual artist must have a fiscal agent that is an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization in good standing with the IRS and the State of Californina (see “Responsibilities of the Fiscal Agent”).
• Non-profit arts organizations must be in good standing with the IRS and the State of California.
• Artist must submit a résumé demonstrating a minimum of two years of artistic work and accomplishments, including current work.
• Funding is NOT available for in-school programming, government agencies, event sponsorships, one-day events, festivals or conferences.
• Artists and arts organizations may apply for partnerships with schools or government agencies if the arts programming is offered free to the public.

Requirements

• Public art projects must be permanent installations. Applicants must include a signed letter from the property owner confirming site approval and, if required by the municipality, a copy of the approved permit.
• Grant funds must be used as proposed (not changed in scope) and fully expended within one year of the award date.
• Previous grant recipients must submit a closing report before applying for a new EAI grant (excluding emergency grant recipients).
• Final closing reports are due two months after the one-year grant period ends.
• EAI recognition, including logo placement, must be included in all program-related marketing materials (e.g., flyers, social media, press materials, and public communications).
• Prior to accepting grant funds, the applicant must certify in writing that the proposed work is original and does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any other party.

ELIGIBLE ARTS DISCIPLINES

• Costume Designer
• Creative Crafts
• Dance
• Digital and Media Arts
• Film
• Graphic Arts
• Literary Arts
• Make-up Artist
• Music
• Photography
• Production Assistance
• Recording Engineering
• Set Design
• Technical Arts
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

“SHOW YOUR CREATIVITY” VIDEO

VIDEO (Required): As part of application, this is an opportunity to share your creativity or vision for your program.
Please do not use video to verbalize your proposal.

• Maximum length: One (1) minute. No exceptions.
• Submit a non-expiring URL link that does not require a password or special access.
• Social media links will not be accepted.
• Videos may be recorded using a smartphone or other accessible device. Please film in 1080p resolution or higher. Professional production equipment is not required.
• The applicant must hold full rights and clearances for the video, including all music. The video may not be commissioned for commercial use.
• Videos submitted in a language other than English must include English subtitles.
• Videos may be retained for file, reference, and archival purposes and may be viewed in part or in full during the application review process.
• Refer to the grant application for additional instructions.

IMAGE (Optional for visual arts program)

• See application for upload link and acceptable formats such as photos, renderings or others
• Applicant agrees that the image furnished may be retained for file, reference and archival purposes, and will be viewed partially or in its entirety during review of the grant application.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FISCAL AGENT (required for individual artists):

• A list of local fiscal agents who have previously helped individual artists can be found on EAI Website “Discovery” tab, dropdown “Fiscal Agents”.
• Individual artist applications must include a fiscal agent letter with the grant proposal as well as the organization’s current annual budget. (See grant application)
• The fiscal agent takes on the lead financial responsibility for the recipient’s grant.
• The fiscal agent must be a non-profit 501C3 arts organization established five years of more and in good standing with the IRS.
• Fiscal agent letter must be prepared on the organization's letterhead and signed by both the Executive Director and Board President.
• The letter must confirm the organization will serve as the applicant's fiscal agent and list the commitments below. (This is not an MOU between the applicant and fiscal agent).
  1. Will review grant proposal to understand the program deliverables and financial obligations before applicant submits proposal.
  2. If grant is approved, will receive and be responsible for the funds on behalf of the grant recipient.
  3. If grant is approved, will execute a separate MOU or Agreement with recipient regarding W9, record keeping and disbursement of the funds.
  4. If grant is approved, will distribute funds directly to the grant recipient per mutual agreement.
  5. Along with the applicant, will be responsible for ensuring closing report to EAI reflects the commitments of the grant proposal and is submitted on time.
  6. As legally required, will:
     -maintain records of EAI grant expenditures/disbursements;
     -keep receipts for at least three years following receipt of the grant;
     -make financial records related to the grant available upon request; and
     -be responsible for required tax forms to grant recipient.