Organizational Grant Resources
This page brings together tools to help nonprofit arts and cultural organizations understand the application process, review criteria, and what panelists look for when evaluating applications. Whether you are applying for the first time or returning to reapply, these resources are designed to help you prepare a clear, competitive application.
Use these materials to understand how applications are reviewed, what strong organizational applications demonstrate, and how to self-review before submitting.
Project Grant Application Resources
For organizations proposing specific arts projects or programs.
Panelists score applications based on Artistic Merit and Artistic Excellence. Use this rubric to understand how panelists assess public impact, community engagement, feasibility, and artistic quality.Review the Project Grant Panel Rubric
Pre-Submission Self-Review Tools
These tools help you step into a reviewer’s perspective before submitting. They are not scoring sheets or checklists for perfection—they are designed to help you check for clarity, alignment, and readiness.
Use the Project Grant Self-Review Guide
Sample Application
Sample applications are provided to help applicants understand what a strong application can look like under current guidelines. These samples are fictional and for educational purposes only.
They are not templates and do not represent funded projects or guaranteed outcomes.
View the Sample Project Grant Application
Resources for General Organizational Support Applicants
Program Overview & Eligibility
SDAC has implemented several updates to improve access, clarity, and fairness within the former Arts Challenge Grants, now renamed General Organizational Support.
General Organizational Support (GOS) provides operating funds to help nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in South Dakota sustain day-to-day operations, build organizational capacity, and expand access to the arts in their communities. These funds support a wide range of eligible operating expenses but are not unrestricted; recipients must use them to advance their mission and deliver public benefit through the arts.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, please review the full General Organizational Support (GOS) application. It includes the complete list of updates, revised eligibility and requirements, narrative questions, budget and support materials, and all instructions needed to apply.
View the Complete General Organizational Support Application
Use this rubric to understand how panelists assess mission clarity, leadership, financial management, planning, and public benefit.