Access, Excellence and Arts in Education
The Foundation supports and advocates for development of the greater Kansas City area as a creative regional hub for excellence in arts and culture, rich with expression of diverse cultures and affording access to all levels of creative participation.
Apply
Application Tips
TIPS for use in 2026 also includes a section about the purpose and priorities of the Fund.
NOTE: The application process is slightly different this year. You will be required to input the institution name (e.g. Arts Asylum, etc.) and follow the prompts to access the application. Be advised that your application history will be starting over in the new portal. If you need a copy of a previous report or application, please let us know. See Note below.
Application available: Tuesday, August 4
Application due date: Wednesday, September 2
Board decision on grants: November 2026
Grant award letter and payment: December 2026
Where we serve
To be eligible for a Small Arts Grant, an organization should be:
- Located within the greater Kansas City area (60-mile radius), AND
- A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity with a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), or partner with another organization that can serve as a fiscal sponsor, AND
- An arts organization with annual revenues of less than $300,000 last fiscal year
OR
- A non-arts organization – regardless of budget size or mission – with a community-based arts program that provides access to arts and culture opportunities in traditional and non-traditional sites throughout the greater Kansas City area.
NOTE: In 2022, the Foundation structure transitioned from a community board to a family board and granting priorities and strategies changed; however, our investment in the Small Arts Grants Fund continues unchanged.
NEW: All organizations with three grants in a row as of 2025, MAY apply in 2026.
For content questions and advice, please call Senior Program Officer/Administrator Liana Riesinger, at the Foundation (816-531-0077) or e-mail her at liana@francisfoundation.org. Contact the Foundation at 816-531-0077 or e-mail shari@francisfoundation.org for any computer or technical issues.
Small Arts Grant Fund APPLICATION
Non-Arts Organizations start application for SMA grant HERE.
NOTE: Historical applications and reports are no longer available on the old portal. E-mail shari@francisfoundation.org or janet@francisfoundation.org if you need a copy.
Also, to start or return to an application, please make sure you use a common Internet browser, such as Internet Explorer, Safari or Firefox. Do NOT use Google Chrome!
2025 Small Arts Grants Fund
The Small Arts Grants Fund continues to be a catalyst for change for many locally based, grass roots arts organizations and non-arts organizations with arts programming. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, 51 organizations in 2025 received funds totaling $250,000.
These include a general operating support grant of $10,000 to Stone Lion Puppets for general operating support.
Other organizations, such as the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City and Youth Chorus of Kansas City, Inc. received grants for $9,000 and $8,000 respectively. The Flew the Coop Sessions, Manor Records Foundation, On Angels Wings, and the Topeka LULAC Senior Center were among several first-time grantees to take advantage of the grants fund.
Other deserving organizations with grass roots arts programming included, Band of Angels, Base Academy of Music, Westwood Ensemble and The Barn Players.
Arts & Culture grant support information is archived and available below.
