cross-sector impact grants

These grants of up to $15,000 support "Arts &..." projects developed by partners—one arts organization or artist, and one non-arts organization—harnessing the power of collaboration.

Program Details

South Arts’ mission is advancing Southern vitality through the arts, and this program addresses a strategic goal to cultivate and strengthen deep, cross-sector partnerships that are artist and community centered. As our communities continue to change, the arts play an incomparable role in addressing many of our communal and individual challenges and strengths. The value of partnership and working together across sectors brings new opportunities, increased effectiveness, and greater depth to our collective work. Through this program, South Arts seeks to provide significant support to projects developed by partners that harness the power of “Arts & …” (these are projects at the intersection of arts and other sectors). This year, we are shifting to a new program model.

Over the next three years, South Arts is committed to one community impact area – Health and Wellness. Eligible projects must focus on the “Arts & Health and Wellness” theme - for example, arts & mental wellness or arts & physical health. Matching grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to support approximately 18 projects. We anticipate funding these 18 projects for three grant cycles and expect applicants to commit to the collaborative work for a three-year duration. Funding will be awarded in three separate fiscal years with streamlined, grant renewal forms submitted for cycles two and three. Matching grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to continue or advance the project with the same two partners in cycles two and three.

By supporting partnerships over three years for one impact area, we hope to offer greater visibility for the important work happening in our communities. In addition, this will allow South Arts to build deeper relationships with our grantees and measure and document our grantees’ impact over time.

South Arts believes in the collective strength and knowledge of artists, organizations, and communities. This grant program will now include a peer learning component for grantees’ exchange of ideas and resources. Through this program, South Arts will invest in healthier communities, provide sustained support to improve project stability and partner capacity, cultivate partnerships and relationships, and offer opportunities to enhance field knowledge.

Important Dates & Deadlines

• Invitation to Apply notifications: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
• Full Application deadline (by invitation only, following Letter of Interest): Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Award notifications: late November 2025
• Please note that Cross-Sector Impact Grants are subject to funding availability.
• Project periods: January 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 (Cycle 1), July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028 (Cycle 2), and July 1, 2028-June 30, 2029 (Cycle 3)