Cultural Funding Award Cycle OPEN

The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking proposals for cultural projects and activities that will benefit Bainbridge Island residents and visitors during 2026-2027. Special consideration will be given to organizations and projects that will use City funds to advance the community objectives identified within the Cultural Element and/or Economic Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

All City-funded activities must provide public benefit.

The City is seeking proposals for projects and activities that:

• involve significant community participation;
• create access to cultural activities for underserved or underrepresented communities;
• highlight innovative and underrepresented art forms;
• capital projects such as renovation space for a performance or exhibition or essential equipment, tools, or materials;
• strengthen organizational capacity; and
• foster opportunities for collaboration within the cultural sector.

A total of $300,000 will be available for distribution through a two-year funding cycle. Applicants can apply for awards ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000 and funds must be used to support activities during 2026 and 2027.

View the Request for Proposal HERE Version OptionsCity Funded Cultural Activities Headline2024-2025 Cultural Funding Cycle Version Options City Funded Cultural Activities Headline2024-2025 Cultural Funding Cycle

View the Application HERE Version OptionsCity Funded Cultural Activities Headline2024-2025 Cultural Funding Cycle Version Options City Funded Cultural Activities Headline2024-2025 Cultural Funding Cycle

What Does Cultural Funding Support?

• General operating support
• Project support
• Capital projects
• Organizations with missions that include but are not entirely focused on arts, culture, and heritage can apply for funding. However, requests must be restricted to the portion of their budget that applies to arts, cultural, or heritage projects or activities. (For example, if an environmental organization primarily focused on trail restoration also runs an outdoor arts program, it may submit a request to support the operating or project costs of its outdoor arts program, but not the operating costs associated with its trail restoration work.)

What Does Cultural Funding NOT Support?

• Commercial projects
• Direct support to individuals
• Fundraising
• Debt service, savings, endowment building or
• Religious or political activities

Who Is Eligible?

Organizations with:

• Tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code status. Alternatively, entities without tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status may apply under the fiscal sponsorship of another organization with the required status. The fiscal sponsor provides fiduciary oversight of the project and must agree to enter into the funding contract with the City.
• The majority of services are provided on Bainbridge Island or for its residents and visitors.
• At least one ongoing cultural program open to the public or that provides services (training, administrative support, technical assistance, and more) to arts professionals on Bainbridge Island.
• A minimum two-year history of continuous operation. Organizations that have not existed for a minimum of two-years of continuous operation may apply with a fiscal sponsor.

How to Apply

• Complete the application form by using this link: https://apps.bainbridgewa.gov/Forms/Cultural-Funding-Application.   
• Paper applications may be picked up from the front desk at City Hall during the regular business hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Applications may be submitted on paper given to the front desk at City Hall, although electronic submissions are preferred.
• Late proposals will not be accepted. Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring that proposals are submitted and received on time.
• Each applicant organization is limited to one proposal per review cycle. The task force will not review more than one proposal per organization.  Organizations may apply for organizational funding and, separately, serve as a fiscal sponsor for another organization.

What Key Dates Do I need to Know?

Pre-Application Information Session for Interested Applicants:                           Week of September 8

Opportunity for applicants to learn more about                                                            

process and ask questions about the RFP 

Application Deadline:                                                                                                 4:00 PM, September 26

Applications will not be accepted after this time 

Proposal Presentations:                                                                                             TBD by Committee

Applicants will present proposals to and answer 

questions from the Cultural Funding Advisory Task Force 

Cultural Funding Advisory Task Force Funding                                                       TBD by Committee

Recommendation:

City Council Approval of 2026-2027 CF Awards:                                                       November 18

Notification by:                                                                                                              November 30

Committee Purpose

On an annual basis, the City of Bainbridge Island provides significant financial support to local nonprofit organizations to support cultural programs in the community.

The city uses a two-year funding cycle to solicit proposals from local non-profits seeking City funding for cultural activities that serve the residents of Bainbridge Island.

Members of the Cultural Funding Advisory Task Force review funding proposals and develop a recommendation. This recommendation is submitted to the City Council for consideration and approval.

For more information on the Cultural Funding Advisory Task Force, please visit their webpage.

Funded Organizations

This section is for organizations that are receiving funding in the current cycle. Below are reporting resources.

Reimbursement Reporting

Sample Invoice - Use this to help you understand an acceptable invoice submittal

Invoice Template - Use this as the cover sheet when submitting invoices

Receipt Template - Use this as the second page of your reimbursement invoice to calculate the totals of each budgeted category

Progress Reporting Links

Cultural Funding Quarterly Progress Report - You must submit these reports quarterly to show your progress.

Cultural Funding Annual Report - You must submit this report at the end of your first year of the two-year funding cycle

Cultural Funding Final Report - You must submit this report at the end of your funding period