Applications open for Trenton Arts Fund (US)

The Trenton Arts Fund is dedicated to Trenton’s arts, culture and history organizations, as well as their extraordinary artists both emerging and established. They believe that strengthening the arts will keep Trenton’s revitalization momentum growing and will contribute to the long-term health and vibrancy of the city. The fourth grant round will fund Trenton arts, arts education, culture and history organizations.

The Fund is a field-of-interest fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. TAF was established in 2018 by Trenton residents who felt strongly that the arts help make Trenton a great place to live, work and visit. Each year, TAF raises funds to support local artists and arts organizations, both emerging and established, by offering operating and project related grants to qualified organizations in response to proposals submitted. This year, they want to continue supporting organizations as they continue to build and attract audiences, especially younger people. Long term, their goal is to help make Trenton widely known as a place that makes, supports, and experiences the arts, culture and history in all its many and varied forms. Projects of particular interest are ones that support making art and support bringing Trentonian fans to artistic events and performances.

Funding Information

• One-year grants: ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Eligible Expenses

• Projects and programs and/or operating expenses for arts, arts education, culture and history organizations in the City of Trenton including but not limited to the following:
  • Public performances, educational activities, and exhibits.
  • Innovative programs that specifically support Trenton’s children, teens, and young people as well as programs or projects that support the work of innovative individual artists in the City of Trenton.
  • Programs that revitalize the City of Trenton through the arts.
  • Programs that provide meaningful and transformative experiences for young people and families.
  • Programs and projects that aim to attract returning and new, younger audiences.

Ineligible Expenses

• Services outside the above stated geographic region
• Organizations whose focus is outside of the City of Trenton.
• Endowment-building campaigns
• Fundraising appeals, events, and routine expenses associated with fundraising
• Field trips, unless part of a larger educational effort
• Sports teams, unless part of a larger educational effort
• Sponsorship of conventions
• Lobbying and other political activities
• Fraternal and religious activities
• Tax-supported and government-operated basic programs and services (e.g., core curricular school activities or essential police and fire services)

Geographical Focus 

• Applications will be accepted from organizations that operate and provide services within the City of Trenton.
• The organization must maintain physical office space in the City of Trenton.

Eligibility Criteria

• An applicant must have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code, be a publicly supported charity under Section 509, and be registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs as a charity in good standing.

Selection Criteria

• The proposal:
  • fits within the Trenton Arts Fund grant guidelines.
  • is aligned with the TAF Mission.
  • demonstrates a commitment of the organization to arts, history or culture in the City of Trenton.
  • has clear and achievable outcomes.
  • includes a budget aligned with the request.
  • demonstrates financial stability through the IRS Form.

Application Requirements 

• Your electronic application must include the following:
  • Project name
  • Requested Amount
  • Project Budget
  • Description of Project or Operational Support
  • Targeted Geographic Service Area
  • Organization’s Operating Budget
  • Mission Statement
  • Organization’s history and accomplishments in Trenton
  • Organization’s role in the discipline
  • Path forward
  • Completion date for activities
  • Most recent IRS Form
  • Fiscal Sponsor Agreement (if applicable).

For more information, visit Princeton Area Community Foundation.