General Operating Support Grant

The Virgin Islands Council on the Arts (VICA), operating under the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, provides funding support through its General Operating Support grant. This funding is intended to sustain nonprofit arts organizations by helping cover general operational, artistic, technical, performance, and administrative costs. Only nonprofit organizations whose primary focus is the production or presentation of art are eligible. These organizations must have been in operation in the Virgin Islands for at least two years and have a demonstrated history of producing or presenting artistic work. This grant offers an award of up to $15,000 per fiscal year. All grant awards must be matched by the grantee using a combination of cash and in-kind services. In-kind contributions can include space rental, equipment loans, materials, or services valued at fair market rates. Awards are made annually, and VICA retains discretion in determining under which funding category an applicant qualifies. Applications must be submitted by August 31st, and all applicants are required to attend a “How to Apply” workshop, which is offered on each island every summer. Workshops are mandatory for application eligibility. Applicants must also have their nonprofit status confirmed and be registered with SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity ID and Tax Exemption Identification Number. Organizations may apply under an umbrella nonprofit for a maximum of three years if their own nonprofit status is pending. Evaluation of applications is based on artistic merit, organizational stability, financial planning, community need, accessibility, and completeness of the application. If the applicant has received prior VICA funding, submission of final reports is required to be considered for new funding. Grantees must publicly credit VICA and the National Endowment for the Arts in all promotional materials, and on-site evaluations will be conducted by VICA staff and board. For further information, applicants can contact John Smith at [email protected] or by phone at 340-774-5984. Applications are reviewed by the Board of Directors, and funding decisions are made within 30 days of the submission deadline.