National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) offers grants to nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations on a matching 1-to-1 basis.  Grant amounts vary from $5,000 to $150,000.  Several categories of grants are available through their Folk & Traditional Arts Program, including Access to Artistic Excellence, Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants, and Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth.

The NEA also administers the National Heritage Fellowships, awarded annually to master folk & traditional artists.  These fellowships recognize lifetime achievement, artistic excellence, and contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage.  Fellowships are not open to application, but awarded on the basis of nominations from the public.  Each award is $25,000 and may be received once in a lifetime.