Candid does not give grants/donations, suggest specific funders, or approach them on your behalf. More about Candid’s mission. Please refer to the tips and websites in this article.

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.

-- John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States

Although most foundation grants are given to nonprofit organizations, artists are one exception to that rule.

Census data reveals that there are about 1.4 million working artists in the U.S. -- defined as people whose primary earnings come from their art. (There's no reliable way to track practicing artists who do not make their primary earnings in the arts.) Their median earnings in 2012 were around $30,000 a year, $36,000 with a bachelor's degree.

There are a number of ways for artists to supplement their income and ease the financial burden that comes with being a working artist:

• Grants or fellowships provide funds that can be used to pay the rent and other expenses, allowing the artist to work full-time at being creative. Grants are very competitive and the amount awarded, stipulations, and application procedures for each vary widely. Some are given to allow an artist to complete a specifically proposed project; others are unrestricted. Some are awarded strictly based on need, others as a prize given out as part of a competition. Some are open to application, others only by nomination.
• In addition to private foundations, publicly funded arts agencies can also be a source of funding for artists. According to Americans for the Arts, in 2015, 35% of local arts agencies (LAAs) provided financial support to individual artists, and 30% supported both arts organizations and artists. (Here's a directory of state arts agencies.)
• Then there are artist residencies, which typically require an artist to spend time away from their usual environment and obligations. Residencies will often provide studio space, meals, housing, and travel and living stipends.
• Tax, legal and health care services are sometimes available specifically for cash-strapped artists, either for free or at discounted rates.
• Another way for artists to gain funding is to contact a nonprofit with a related mission that will serve as their fiscal sponsor. This allows artists to apply for grants and solicit tax-deductible charitable contributions under the sponsor's exempt status.

Candid offers the following resources that can help artists find grants:

Foundation Directory is our searchable database of grantmakers. Perform an advanced search by Transaction Type: Grants to Individuals, in addition to search terms for Subject Area and Geographic Focus. For more detailed search help, please see our article, Find your next scholarship, fellowship, or grant on Foundation Directory Professional. 

Subscribe to search from your own location, or search for free at our Candid partner locations.

Philanthropy News Digest  provides listings of current requests for proposals (RFPs) from foundations and other grantmaking organizations interested in funding arts and culture nonprofits and individuals in the field. Select Arts / Culture in the Subject search box.

See also our related Knowledge Base articles:

• How do I write a grant proposal?
• What is fiscal sponsorship? How do I find a fiscal sponsor?
• What is crowdfunding?

Writing Contests, Grants & Awards
Poets & Writers

Poets & Writers is the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers. The Writing Contests, Grants & Awards database includes details about creative writing contests—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, and more.

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF)
The Artists Safety Net

CERF is committed to supporting the careers of craft artists throughout the United States. CERF helps professional craft artists through business and career-strengthening programs, emergency relief support, advocacy and research.

State Arts Agency Directory
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

State arts agencies provide grant funding, training, and other services and technical assistance for artists and arts organizations. They exist to increase public access to the arts and work to ensure that every community in America enjoys the cultural, civic, economic and educational benefits of a thriving arts sector.

Residency Search
Alliance of Artists Communities

Search by location, duration, season, discipline, and more fields. Must subscribe to get detailed results. Also includes alphabetical listing of 300+ programs. AAC is a national service organization that supports artists' communities by encouraging collaboration among members of the field, raising the visibility of these communities, and advocacy.

NYFA
New York Foundation for the Arts

NYFA lists awards, services, and publications for individual artists and art professionals. It also lists resources for emergency funds, emergency grants to serve financial need or an emergency.

Fiscal Sponsorship
Fractured Atlas

Fractured Atlas is the country's largest fiscal sponsor for the arts. It works with thousands of artists and arts organizations nationwide to provide education and support for raising funds.