2024 Organizational Support Grants

In keeping with our mission, the Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts (MKFA) supports arts organizations that exemplify critical thinking, risk taking, and provocation in the arts. The grant program furthers Mike Kelley’s philanthropic work and honors his legacy by awarding funds to arts organizations that embody the spirit of his practice.

Now in its fourth year, the Organizational Support Grants (OSG) aim to support the changing needs of arts organizations and the artists they work with. The OSG offers grant funding targeting small to mid-size nonprofit and fiscally-sponsored arts organizations. Grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded. Award size will depend on the grant budget, operating budget, and how much MKFA can offer in awards.

Two notable changes in this year’s application are: 1. The allowance of university and college art museums/galleries and government-owned art institutions to apply (as long as they meet eligibility criteria). 2. A required minimum of 15% of the requested grant amount to be expended on artist fees.

As in the previous year, organizations will submit an upcoming contemporary art exhibition, performance or other public project that will take place by February 2025. The project should highlight the strength of the organization’s programming and show how it aligns with MKFA’s mission. Although the application requires an upcoming project description, the grant does not necessarily need to cover the project’s expenses. Grant funds may cover costs including but not limited to: rent, staff salaries, retaining employees, utilities, and exhibition and artist project expenses. Evaluation of applications will be based on the strength of the upcoming project, how the grant will help maintain operations, and how the mission and programming of the organization align with MKFA’s core values of critical thinking, risk taking, and provocation in the arts.

Please see our Guidelines and FAQs for further information on application requirements and eligibility criteria. You can access the application here. We recorded the webinar that took place on October 5, 2024. Scroll down to view it.