The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) is investing in strengthening arts and culture across Washtenaw County through a racial equity lens. We aim to activate and uplift the artistic and cultural identities of all residents while ensuring equitable access to arts and culture for everyone.
AAACF seeks to invest in new and existing community-based projects that center racial equity in arts and culture. Funding priorities include:

• Community-driven art programs and organizations that engage and collaborate with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities
• Arts programs and organizations led by BIPOC leaders
• Organizations that support, resource, and create opportunities for individual BIPOC artists, including through mentorship, professional development, and creative entrepreneurship
• Advancing equity in arts education
• Supporting arts-based entrepreneurship as a pathway for economic development
• Strengthening digital capacity to expand access and engagement with BIPOC communities
• Vocational training in the arts for historically marginalized communities

Applications open Tuesday, April 7th and are due Friday, May 8, 2026, by 5:00PM EST. Questions related to this grant program can be sent to Amina Iqbal, Senior Community Investment Officer, at aiqbal@aaacf.org
 
Available Grant Dollars: ~$120,000
Grant Request: up to $15,000 (one application per organization)
Geographic Reach: Washtenaw County
Application Deadline: Friday, May 8th, 2026, at 5:00 PM

Application Submission Process:

1. Review grant program guidelines at aaacf.org/grants.
2. Note that AAACF uses the NonProfit Portal for grant applications. Every NEW nonprofit must create an account to access the grant application and all future applications through AAACF. Please start this process early to allow time for processing and watch the Applicant Tutorial for help getting started.
3. Register for the optional but highly encouraged Information Session on Monday, April 20th from 12:00PM-12:45PM. THE INFORMATION SESSION WILL BE DONE REMOTELY VIA ZOOM and will NOT be recorded
   Registration will close at 12:00 PM the day prior to the meeting. Once registration is closed, a reminder and the login information will be emailed to all the individuals who registered the afternoon before the information session.
4. Submit all required narrative sections through the NonProfit Portal by 5:00PM on Friday, May 8th.