ArtHelps Local Arts Program
Check out and support the 2025 ArtHelps Local Arts Program Regrantees!
Art Alliance of Monmouth County
Asbury Park African-American Music Project
Atlantic Highlands Arts Council
In partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Monmouth Arts offers ArtHelps Local Arts Program Grants through a competitive application process. The grants are intended to support organizations and programs that serve the public and provide access to a diverse array of quality arts experiences throughout Monmouth County.​
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Eligible recipients include Monmouth County nonprofit arts organizations and community groups with arts programs that provide excellent arts events that are accessible and beneficial to the public. Organizations must be able to complete all reporting necessary by the deadlines in order to accept public funds, including the application, a contract, an interim report, and a final report.
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Applicants should consider the current funding priorities of Monmouth Arts, which are outlined in detail on this page and in the grant guidelines. ArtHelps Local Arts Program grant applications must be completed on Submittable, Monmouth Arts’ grant portal. Please read the guidelines carefully and follow the link to Submittable (see Applications & Guidelines section). Applicants who are not yet registered with Submittable may sign up for a free account.
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​Grant workshops were held in April and May to provide step-by-step assistance with the application process and the grants' ADA requirements. These virtual workshops are a valuable resource for those considering applying for any type of grant. It is highly recommended that organizations applying for the 2026 grant cycle attend one of these workshops. Click HERE to download a PDF of the grant presentation.
Important Dates: Fiscal Year 2025
Grant Period January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
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Interim reports due in July 2025
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Final reports due in January 2026
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Eight Mini Grants available in 2025
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Important Dates: Fiscal Year 2026
Grant Period January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
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Applications Available: April 10, 2025
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Online Grant Workshops: April 23rd at 12:00 PM or May 7th at 5:00 PM (register here)
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Deadline: Monday, June 16, 2025 at 4:00pm
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Awards Announced: October 2025
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Contracts Due: December 2025
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Types of Grants
Please be sure to read the complete guidelines for the grant to which you are applying. Applicants may only apply for one type of grant per year.
General Operating Support (GOS)
Two-year funding is available for established arts nonprofits to ensure operating and administrative capacity. General Operating Support grants support the overall operations of nonprofit organizations that are exclusively devoted to the arts. Applicants must have an arts-related primary mission and be at least three years old. Requests may not exceed 20% of the organization’s annual operating budget, with a minimum request of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000. GOS grants are awarded with a two-year commitment, subject to contract stipulations and available funds.​
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Special Project Support (SPS)
Special Project Grants are available to support organizations with an arts project or event that will occur either once or periodically for a short duration of time. Eligible applicants include organizations with an arts mission as well as non-arts organizations, and educational and religious institutions with an arts-specific project or event. Requests can be for up to 50% of project or event expenses, with a minimum request of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000.
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Mini Grant (MG)
Mini Grants ($500) are available for arts projects to new and emerging organizations, and organizations requiring a small amount of funding. Mini Grants have a simplified application process and a short time frame from application to award. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed every two months. Mini Grants are intended as an introduction to the ArtHelps grant program. A total of eight (8) Mini Grants will available for 2025 (application open on January 30, 2025)
Note: Municipalities and government agencies are not eligible for Local Arts Program funding. Educational and religious institutions may apply for Special Project Support or Mini Grant only.
Interested applicants and current regrantees can refer to the Grant Toolkit section of this page for additional resources.
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Questions? Contact Connie Isbell: connie@monmoutharts.org or 732-212-1890 x101
Funding Priorities
As part of our efforts to respond to the changing needs of those we serve, Monmouth Arts is continuing to evolve our programming, operations, and grantmaking. Please note that the funding priorities have been updated. Applicants should show strong initiative in one or more of the following areas:
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Serving the needs of local artists with exemplary programs, opportunities, services, or presentation of their work.
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Promoting cultural equity, diversity, and inclusion through projects that elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups, including those that create opportunities for artists and community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) or individuals living with a disability.
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Forging partnerships and collaborations among individuals or organizations, especially those that include different perspectives within the community and connect the arts to other sectors such as economic development, social services, public safety, and health and healing.
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Broadening public participation by attracting more people to the arts, bringing in audiences different from those the organization is already attracting, or deepening experiences by increasing current participants' levels of involvement.
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Advancing and advocating for arts education in schools and life-long learning through the arts.
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Preserving and conserving art forms and cultural heritage through public presentation.
Grant Applications and Guidelines
ArtHelps Local Arts Program grant applications must be completed on Submittable, Monmouth Arts’ grant portal. Please read guidelines carefully and then follow the link to the Submittable application. Applicants who are not yet registered with Submittable may sign up for a free account. Click HERE to download a PDF of the grant presentation from our workshops held in April and May.
2025 Mini Grant Guidelines and Application | CLICK FOR APPLICATION
Preview of Guidelines and Sample Application in Word
Fiscal Year 2026 General Operating Support Guidelines and Application | CLICK FOR APPLICATION
Preview of Guidelines and Sample Application in Word
Download the FY 2026 General Operating Support Finance Chart
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Fiscal Year 2026 Special Project Support Guidelines and Application | CLICK FOR APPLICATION
Grant Status
Check here for updates about the status of ongoing and future ArtHelps opportunities:
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Eight Mini Grants are available for 2025; applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed every two months.
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Fiscal Year 2025 applications and guidelines will be available April 10, 2025. The application deadline is June 16, 2025.
Free workshops for interested applicants are offered each year during the grant cycle. Click HERE to download a PDF of the grant presentation from our workshops held in April and May.
Grant Toolkit
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Accessibility Planning: Need help with ADA planning? Visit the New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s Cultural Access Network Project for resources and the recommended self-assessment survey tool.
Previous Grants
​2023 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Grants
In partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Monmouth Arts awarded an infusion of $15,000 in funds for groups with projects that promoted equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion and that impact traditionally underserved constituencies in Monmouth County. Project grants ranged from $1,000 to $3000 and supported activities such as art exhibitions, dance instruction for underserved youth, and free community music performances. Through project-based funding, the grants assisted Monmouth Arts in bringing new voices, perspectives, and practices into the community.
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Monmouth Arts congratulates the recipients of the 2023 EDI Grants: T. Thomas Fortune Foundation, Monmouth Day Care Center, and the Asbury Park African American Music Project.
​Renew 2022 Grants
In 2022 Monmouth Arts awarded a total of $30,000 to 10 organizations to support free arts events and live performances in Monmouth County. In partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the grants went towards reviving Monmouth County live performances and events to hep fuel the reopening and recovery of nonprofit arts organizations after COVID-19.
Recipients of the Renew 2022 grants included Creative Operations, Asbury Park African-American Music Heritage Project, Red Bank Chamber Music Society, Jazz Arts Project, Wooden Walls Public Art Project, Asbury Park Arts Council, Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey, Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, Dromio Players, and Center Players.
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