" " Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County Announces Major Overhaul of Grant Funding with Two New Programs
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Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County Announces Major Overhaul of Grant Funding with Two New Programs

A graphic featuring two distinct grant logos separated by a diagonal black line. Top Left: The "Mission Based Grant" logo, which uses bold, multicolored typography in red, purple, and orange. It includes a stylized purple and green play-button icon to the left of the word "MISSION". Bottom Right: The "Grassroots Art Project Grant" logo, featuring a small green plant sprout icon with a purple root. The text is displayed in bright green and red.

Fayetteville, N.C. – The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County (ACFCC) has unveiled a significant expansion and restructuring of its funding initiatives with the launch of two new grant programs: the Mission Based Grant and the Grassroots Art Project Grant.

This dual approach ensures financial support for both the region's core cultural institutions and smaller, community-focused art projects, maximizing cultural impact across all of Cumberland County


“One of the best parts of being a local grantmaker is responding directly to what our community needs. Over the past several years, we've gotten to know the organizations doing the work to drive arts-focused tourism, education, and programming in our region,” expressed Michael Houck, Director of Grants and Allocations.  “That experience has shown us where support makes the biggest difference, and we're excited to expand our general operating support opportunities with the Mission Based Grant program to give 501(c)(3) arts organizations the foundational resources they need to thrive and serve our community.”


Mission Based Grant: Bolstering Core Cultural Institutions

The Mission Based Grant is designed to provide essential general operating support to established 501(c)(3) organizations whose primary services have a high artistic, cultural, or historical merit. This grant stabilizes the organizations that serve as the backbone of the region's cultural landscape and whose missions align with the ACFCC’s core tenets: Connecting Communities, Embracing Diversity, Promoting Individual Creativity, Fostering Lifelong Learning, and Advancing Tourism & Economic Development.


  • Purpose: To provide foundational funding for proven organizations with three or more years of successful arts-based programming.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be based in Cumberland County and committed to engaging tourism.

  • Deadline: March 5, 2026 (5:00PM EST)


Grassroots Art Project Grant: Investing in Local Creative Projects

The Grassroots Art Project Grant is dedicated to proliferating the arts through smaller-scale, high-impact projects and is supported in part by the North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Allocation and the National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Art Projects program.


  • Purpose: To support diverse programs and activities that produce arts, culture, or history-focused content through any artistic discipline (visual, performing, literary, public art, etc.).

  • Maximum Request: Eligible entities may request up to $15,000 per project.

  • Eligibility: Open to 501(c) organizations, Institutions of Higher Education, Municipalities, and unincorporated groups (via a Fiscal Agent) based in Cumberland County.

  • Deadlines:

    • Cycle One - March 5, 2026 (5:00PM EST)

    • Cycle Two - September 1, 2026 (5:00PM EST)


We in Cumberland County have one of the most robust arts granting programs of any regional arts council across the State of North Carolina,” said Bob Pinson, President/CEO of the Arts Council. “As we strive to be a regional arts and cultural destination, we can be justifiably proud of our emerging talent and growing arts opportunities that the Arts Council continues to build and support through strong grant programs.”


For more information on these programs, visit www.theartscouncil.com/grants or contact Michael Houck (michaelh@theartscouncil.com)


For regular updates on the Arts Council, follow this organization on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.


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ABOUT THE ARTS COUNCIL OF FAYETTEVILLE | CUMBERLAND COUNTY


The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville, NC that connects our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development, and fosters lifelong learning through the arts. As the primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural and history activities in the Cape Fear Region, the Arts Council and the agencies it supports are known for the core values of excellence, accountability, transparency, collaboration, and innovation. theartscouncil.com


Grants, programs, and services of the Arts Council are funded, in part, by contributions from community partners and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. ncarts.org

 
 
 
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