The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) presents Museums Empowered, a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program. It supports projects that use the transformative power of professional development and training to generate organizational growth within museums of all types and sizes.

IMLS recognizes the many challenges facing individual museums and the need to invest resources, time, and energy towards nurturing the professional development of staff and strengthening museum operations.

Application Deadline: Friday, November 14, at 11:59 pm

New England States Touring (NEST) funds performances, readings, and screenings of work by regional, national, and international artists presented by New England-based nonprofit organizations.

Eligibility:

• Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, school, federally recognized Indian tribal government, or unit of state or local government. (Nonprofit organizations do not have to be arts organizations. Organizations that do not have a federal tax identification number may apply if part of an official government agency). Fiscal agents cannot be funded through NEST.
• Be based in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
• Have a Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov. The federal government requires that all NEFA organizational grant recipients supported by federal funds register for a SAM.gov UEI (Unique Entity ID). Getting a UEI is a free process and can be done by visiting SAM.gov. Read our blog post with more details.  
• Provide documentation of their compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Please visit our Arts & Accessibility page for details.
• Maintain an updated profile in the CreativeGround directory for their cultural nonprofit. (For assistance, see the CreativeGround profile tips page, and aim for a profile score of 16.) If the applicant nonprofit is not a cultural or arts-based organization, please contact Falyn Rose Elhard (they/them/theirs) to confirm your organization's qualification for a CreativeGround profile.
• Present a public presentation of the artist/ensemble named in the application. A public presentation is defined as an event that is open to the public and advertised accordingly. The presentation must feature the artistic work of the named artist/ensemble.

Applicants are highly encouraged to contact NEFA staff to confirm that their project fits the program guidelines.

Application Deadline: Monday, December 1, 2025

CAEF grants provide general operating support that organizations use for programming, administrative or operational costs, capital projects, or equipment. They can also add the grant funds to their own endowment.

Deadline: December 15, 2025

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Preservation and Access is accepting applications for the Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions program. The Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions help small and mid-sized institutions improve their ability to preserve and care for their humanities collections. The program encourages applications from small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant. 

Application Deadline: Thursday, January 8, at 11:59 pm

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read is a program that awards grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to organizations.  

These grants support community reading programs designed around a single NEA Big Read book. As our nation moves into its 250th year, the goal of this program is to honor America’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community. 

Grantees will receive funding for their programming and purchasing books, and tools to support them in working with local partners, developing public relations strategies, and leading meaningful book discussions. 

This year’s NEA Big Read titles celebrate and honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

Intent to Apply Deadline: Thursday, January 15, at 11:59 pm (Central Time)

Application Deadline: Thursday, January 29, at 11:59 pm (Central Time)

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which was established by Governor Lamont in 2021, provides financial assistance for infrastructure improvements to 501(c)(3) organizations that are at a heightened risk of being the target of a terrorist attack, hate crime, or violent act. It is administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS).

Full press release can be viewed at: https://officeofthegovernor.cmail20.com/t/j-e-siuwhk-tkiulrkihh-r/

The CT Humanities Quick Grants are small implementation grants of up to $4,999 that support small-scale humanities activities such as discussion-based public programs, exhibitions, and tours.

Successful Proposals Must Be:

• Open to the general public
• Free or low cost to attend
• Clearly interpretive and based in the humanities.

To apply for a Quick Grant, your organization must be one of the following:

• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of Connecticut for at least one year and governed by a board of directors that meets regularly
• A municipality in the state of Connecticut
• A Connecticut-based federally or State recognized tribe

Application Deadlines for FY25-25:

Monday, January 5, 2026

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Monday, June 1, 2026

provides funds for presenters to travel and research artistic works that may be brought to New England. 

Deadline: Rolling

Microsoft Tech for Social Impact  offers grants and discounts for their products and services to eligible nonprofits, including solutions like Azure, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft 365.