Arts & Culture Grants
Grants Overview
In 2022, Littleton citizens approved a 5% lodgers tax on hotels, motels, and short-term rentals within the city limits. Part of this revenue supports the Arts & Culture Grants program.
The Arts and Culture Grants program creates a thriving arts city with a vision for a vibrant, collaborative, and creative Littleton where arts and culture are defining features of the community’s identity and unique character.
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Requirements
- A registered non-profit located within the Littleton city limits
- Minimum of 3 consecutive years in operation
Important Dates for 2026 Grants
- February 23, 2026 – Application window opens for 2026 Arts & Culture Grants
- April 10, 2026 (11:59 p.m.) – Application deadline for 2026 Arts & Culture Grants
- October 2026 – Budget approval by City Council
- November 2026 – Award notification
- January 2027 – Funds become available for 2026 Arts & Culture Grant awards
Amounts
Grants will be available for application in 1 of 3 categories
- 3 grants up to $20,000 to support major cultural initiatives, particularly those that advance goals contained in the Arts & Culture Community Strategic Plan(PDF, 12MB)
- 4 grants up to $8,000 to support capacity building and organizational development
- 5 grants up to $2,000 to support grassroots or emerging cultural efforts
FAQ & Resources
What are the goals of the Arts & Culture grants?
The vision for the Arts & Culture Grants is threefold: to build strong and dynamic arts and culture organizations in Littleton; to foster collaboration between organizations; and to cultivate community engagement. The ultimate goal is to be a thriving arts city, one that has vision for a vibrant, collaborative, and creative Littleton where arts and culture are defining features of the community’s identity and unique character.
Do I need to be a non-profit to apply?
Yes. Organizations/individuals must be designated by the IRS as a non-profit.
Does my organization need to provide programming in Littleton city limits?
Yes. You or your organization must use grant funding within the designated City of Littleton boundaries. Click here for a map showing Littleton city limits: littletonco.gov/Community/Map-Gallery/Littleton-City-Limits-and-Places
Do I need to be headquartered in Littleton to be eligible?
No, you do not need to by physically located in the City of Littleton.
However, you must either currently provide programming within city limits, or plan to expand programming into Littleton using grant funds. Make sure to check City of Littleton boundaries here: littletonco.gov/Community/Map-Gallery/Littleton-City-Limits-and-Places
Is the Arts and Culture grant limited to arts and culture organizations?
Yes, though we encourage you to think broadly! If your organizational mission aligns with the Arts & Culture Board’s goal of creating a thriving creative community, we encourage you to apply.
Who is on the Arts and Culture grant panel, and how does the panel come to their decision?
The Littleton Arts & Culture Board (ACB) is charged by the Littleton City Council with administering and managing the distribution of funds. Ultimately, the ACB will present recommendations for disbursement to Council with their final approval.
Is there a maximum amount of money my organization can request?
Yes. New to the 2026 grant cycle, the Arts & Culture Board will be awarding a total of 12 grants.
You may apply for one of the following grant categories:
- 3 grants up to $20,000 to support major cultural initiatives, particularly those that advance goals contained in the Arts & Culture Community Strategic Plan(PDF, 12MB)
- 4 grants up to $8,000 to support capacity building and organizational development
- 5 grants up to $2,000 to support grassroots or emerging cultural efforts
Are there any restrictions on what funds can be spent on?
No, as long as the funds advance your organization’s goals and support the Arts and Culture Grant’s mission to promote the arts in Littleton. Funds could be spent on – but are not limited to – stabilization funding, collaborative programming, matching funds, capital improvement projects, or staffing.
What is my organization required to do if awarded grant funding?
Recipients are required to submit both a mid-year and an end-of-year report on uses and impacts of the funding. Funds will be made available in January, and must be expended within 18 months.
When will I receive funding?
Arts and Culture grant funding aligns with the City of Littleton budget approval process. For 2026 applications, funding will not be available until January 2027.
When is the application window?
Grant applications will open on Friday, February 23, 2026 and close on Friday April 10, 2026.
Who should I contact with questions?
Email arts@littletonco.gov or call the Public Art Administrator at 303.795.3931.
View Questions as a PDF(PDF, 182KB)
CONTACT INFORMATION
1. Contact name: person to whom questions should be directed regarding this application
2. Title: contact person’s title
3. Email
4. Phone
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
5. Name of organization
6. Mailing address
7. Organization’s website
8. Is your organization non-profit? For-profit organizations are not eligible for this grant
9. How many years has your organization been in operation?
10. Does your organization have a mission, vision, and/or values statement? If so, please paste it in the space below or email documents to arts@littletonco.gov
PROGRAM INFORMATION
11. Current programming description. Describe current arts & culture programming, events, etc. offered to the Littleton Community by your organization in the space below or email documents to arts@littletonco.gov
12. Does your organization provide arts and culture programming within the city limits of Littleton? Use this search function to determine whether an address is inside Littleton's city limits: https://www.littletonco.gov/Community/Map-Gallery/Address-Wizard
13. Approximate number of people served by your organization annually
14. Approximate number of Littleton residents served by your organization annually
FUNDING
15. Amount of grant funds requested for use in 2027
16. Annual budget of your organization
17. Other funding sources for your organization. e.g. grants, membership dues, ticket sales, fundraising events, etc.
18. Please indicate a category for this grant request. General operation support, capital funding, programming and events, special project, marketing/promotion, other
19. How would these grant funds be used? Describe programs, events, etc. that will be created or enhanced because of these funds in the space below or email documents to arts@littletonco.gov
20. How much of the total project cost does this grant request cover? 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, less than 25%.
21. Please share additional comments on funding structure/sources for this project here, if applicable.