Letter of Intent Help Session
Thursday, Jan. 29th, 2026
10:00 am to 11:00 am
The Cultural Service Grant Program was designed to provide public support to arts and cultural organizations that contribute to the quality of life of Duval County’s residents. Every year, non-profit organizations in the arts and cultural sector apply to receive city-funded grants to help support their missions and create broader access to the arts in Jacksonville. City of Jacksonville funds are administered by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville through the Cultural Service Grant Program (CSGP), which is governed by Chapter 118, Part 6 of the ordinance code of the City of Jacksonville
The Cultural Service Grant Program provides general operating support. Organizations funded through CSGP may also apply for the Cultural Service CAPITAL Grant Program, which funds the renovation, construction and acquisition of cultural facilities.
The CSGP Committee is comprised of a cross-section of members from Jacksonville who express an interest in the impact of culture in the community and a willingness to participate fully in the grantmaking process.
Committee members, who are confirmed by the City Council, include a chair, three Cultural Council board members and seven community representatives. CSGP Committee members serve up to two, three-year terms.
Angela Strain, Committee Chair
Dr. Darren Brownlee
Ari Jolly
Suzanne Pickett
Alanna Luksha
Chrys Yates
Corretta Hill
Jeff Drushal
Kaci Barnes
Kimberly Morrison
Kristina Heath
Rahman K. Johnson, PH.D.
Heather Schatz
CSGP begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI). An applicant’s eligibility for CSGP is determined through the information provided in the LOI. Eligible organizations are invited to submit a full application.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Evaluation criteria are described in the Jacksonville city ordinance governing CSGP. Organizations applying for CSGP funds must demonstrate the following:
Evaluation is intended to address the merits of the organization’s application as supplemented by the on-site and during the hearing process. Financial need is not a criterion under the ordinance that governs CSGP.
A volunteer Cultural Service Grant Program Committee reviews and evaluates grant applications based on established criteria, conducts on-site visits of applicant agencies, holds public hearings, and makes award recommendations to the Cultural Council Board of Directors, which has final approval for the grant awards.
Thursday, Jan. 29th, 2026
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Monday, March 2nd, 2026
11:59 pm
April 2026
New Applicants, New Staff & Returning Applicants
Friday, April 17, 2026
10 am to noon
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026
11:59 pm
July/August 2026
Anticipated September 2026
Thursday, October 1, 2026
9:15 am to 5 pm
Thursday, October 8, 2026
9:15 am to 5 pm
Tuesday, October 8, 2026
The purpose of the Capital Grant Program is to cover qualifying expenses related to the renovation, construction, or acquisition of cultural facilities. A cultural facility is a building used primarily for the programming, production, presentation, exhibition or any combination of the above functions of any of the arts and cultural disciplines.
To be eligible for the capital grant program, an organization must be a current Cultural Service Grantee.
The most recent Return on Investment survey of arts and cultural organizations that received operational grants through the 2024–2025 Cultural Service Grant Program includes the following results, which were reported using data from the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025:
In addition, the Cultural Council launched a pilot program for operational grants for individual artists designed to assist practicing, professional artists in any medium or discipline. The pilot program included workshops and professional development training throughout the program to support their artistic development and practice. Contact us to learn more.