GO Queens Grant Guidelines
General Operating Support Grant for Queens-based Performing Arts Organizations
This program is funded by The Howard Gilman Foundation.
Applications for 2027 will open in September.
Overview
The GO Queens Grant will fund Queens-based performing arts organizations to support their mission and work in the community. Flushing Town Hall will award forty-six $20,000 two-year grants ($10,000 per year) to Queens-based perfoming arts nonprofit organizations that have the performing arts as a core focus/component in their organization's identity with annual operating budgets under $250,000. These unrestricted funds can be used for General Operating Support (GOS) to help the granted organization grow. Some funds may be used for 2027 programs, at the discretion of the applying organization.
With this new funding, we look to help sustain local not-for-profit performing arts organizations and further promote their growth and creativity.
Guidelines in Spanish: Beca GO Queens 2026 - Apoyo operativo general
Guidelines in Chinese: 2026 年 GO Queens 贈款 —— 一般運營支持
Guidelines in Korean: 2025년도 GO Queens 보조금 - 일반 운영 지원
Guidelines in Hindi: 2025 GO Queens अनुदान - सामान्य संचालन सहायता
↵
↵ ↵ ↵ ↵Applicant Eligibility
Types Of Activity/Programming Eligible For Support
These funds will be for General Operating Support rather than project-based, and can be used for eligible expenses including, but not limited to:
- Staff Salaries (for current employees, as well as for hiring new employees)
- Space/Office Rent
- Marketing Costs
- Equipment and Supply Purchases
- Other Day-to-Day Operational Needs
- 2026 program expenses
↵
Eligibility Requirements For Applicants
Eligible organizations must:
- Be Queens-based performing arts organization, or a multidisciplinary organization with the performing arts as a core focus/component of their mission and organization identity.
- Have a valid mailing address in Queens (PO Boxes are accepted.)
- Have been in existence and active for at least one year
- Have an operating budget of $250,000 or less in the most recent completed fiscal year
- Applying organizations must submit their operating budget from the most recent completed fiscal year for panel review
- Have the performing arts be a central part of the organization’s mission and work.
- Show how their work in the community strengthens and enriches Queens and NYC
- Have nonprofit status
- The following proofs of nonprofit status are acceptable:
- A 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS
- Documentation of charter by the NY State Board of Regents under section 216 of the State Education Law
- A current NY State Bureau of Charities filing receipt
- Documentation of incorporation under section 402 of the NY State Not-for-Profit Corporation Law
- The following proofs of nonprofit status are acceptable:
- If an organization does not have nonprofit status, they can apply with a fiscal sponsor
- Eligible fiscal sponsors can be NYC-based (not just Queens), but the applying organization must still be Queens-based
- Fiscal sponsors must provide the same proof of nonprofit status as previously mentioned for
- Fiscal sponsors are not subject to the $250,000 operating budget restriction, but the sponsored organization applying must show they have met this budget threshold
↵
Fiscal Sponsors are responsible for:
- Knowledge and understanding of grant opportunity criteria and relevant guidelines.
- Ensuring work for which funding is sought will occur within the appropriate contract period and required service area.
- Consulting with the organization regarding eligibility and conveying all relevant grant application information, including deadlines and online access details.
- Registering requests and submitting applications with all required supporting information, including an Organizational Budget and Proof of Nonprofit Status (where applicable).
- Executing a letter of commitment with the sponsored organization that clearly outlines the administration of the grant and defines mutual responsibilities.
- Informing sponsored group/artist of funding decisions in a timely manner (prior to the expiration of the appeals period).
- Receiving and disbursing granted funds and ensuring that all relevant tax filings and reporting are executed as appropriate. Fiscal sponsors must issue W-9s to grantees that are organizations without nonprofit status, with grants greater than $600 prior to issuing the grant award check, and a 1099 tax form must be issued for the grantees' tax purposes.
↵
↵
Application Process
Organizations are required to complete and submit their application using the Submittable platform. Applicants must submit the following:
- Application Narrative
- Proof of Nonprofit Status or Fiscal Sponsorship Documentation (see below)
- Annual Operating Budget from the most recent completed fiscal year
- Overview of the organization’s principal members (board of directors, advisory board, or any other oversight structures) and primary team members (paid staff and/or unpaid volunteers, if applicable)
- Work Samples & Promotional Materials from programs held in the past 1-2 years
If applying with a fiscal sponsor, applicants must also submit:
- Fiscal Sponsor proof of nonprofit status
- Fiscal Sponsor’s annual operating budget from the most recently completed fiscal year
- A letter of commitment with the sponsored organization that clearly outlines the administration of the grant and defines mutual responsibilities.
- The letter of commitment is required on the fiscal sponsor’s letterhead.
Organizational Budget
To demonstrate an organization’s financial and managerial competency, applicants must submit an annual operating budget from the most recently completed fiscal year. Applicants may submit their budgets in whatever format they wish. Budget notes to explain discrepancies or anything else are acceptable.
Please note – there is no financial match amount required to apply for this grant.
↵Panel Review Process
Grant decisions will be made by a review panel administered by Flushing Town Hall. They will review and score submissions giving recommendations for funding. Panelists will include Queens community leaders, arts and culture professionals, and members of the arts community.
Applications will be scored using a holistic rubric that considers:
- Organizational Merit – Through their mission statement and narrative, does the applying organization show that they are a strong, active arts and culture organization that offers distinct, well-designed programs that align with their mission?
- Financial & Managerial Competency – Does the applying organization demonstrate sound financial management? If an organization has had a deficit in previous fiscal years, are they able to explain to the panel the circumstances around those shortfalls?
- Community Impact – Does the applicant clearly define the communities that they work with, and is their programming aligned with the needs and goals of that community? Does the organization effectively enrich the arts and culture of their defined community (and Queens as a whole)?
Grantee Requirements
Selected organizations will receive $20,000 total to support their operation for the calendar years 2027 and 2028. The funds may be spent according to their proposal in their application. The first $10,000 payment will be made after grant decisions go out in Spring 2027. The second $10,000 payment will be made in January 2028.
Grantees will be required to submit an interim and final report detailing what the grant funds were used for (along with receipts and invoices), and how the funds helped the organization grow and achieve their mission. The interim report will be due at the end of year one of funding (December 2027) and the final report will be due at the end of year two (December 2028).
About the Howard Gilman Foundation: Howard Gilman believed in the power of the arts to transform lives. The Howard Gilman Foundation honors his legacy by supporting the most robust, innovative, and promising performing arts organizations in New York City. More information on the Foundation’s cultural investments may be found on its website www.howardgilmanfoundation.org
Questions? Please email Melissa Velasquez, Manager of Arts Services at mvelasquez@flushingtownhall.org
