For Grantees

Proposal Deadlines

Our 2024 proposal deadlines are Friday, March 29 (Spring Cycle) and Friday, July 26 (Fall Cycle).

If you’re a returning organization, application links are sent to your grantee portal account.

If you’re a new organization or have a new project, please contact the appropriate program person before starting an application.

Links to the application portal are below.

To Start a Grant Proposal

Artistic Vitality Grantees

Check Guidelines

If you’re a returning organization and unsure of your login, please contact grants@gddf.org.
If you’re new, please contact the relevant staff before creating an account.

 

Returning to an application in progress? Click below to log back into the portal.

Portal login

Land Conservation Grantees

Check Guidelines

If you’re new, please contact the relevant staff to discuss your proposal. If you’re a returning organization and unsure of your login, please contact grants@gddf.org. 

 

Returning to an application in progress? Click below to log back into the portal.

Portal login

Collections Grantees

Check Guidelines

Broadening Narratives is by invitation only. Please contact Ellen Placey-Wadey, Program Director, Chicago Artistic Vitality and Collections at ellen@gddf.org to start a conversation.

 

Returning to an application in progress? Click below to log back into the portal.

Portal login

Log in to the portal to return to a proposal or report in progress

Portal login

Reporting & Other Requirements

All grant requirements and due dates are listed in your grant award letter (sent via email) and forms are posted to the portal 6 weeks in advance, with email reminders sent to the main contacts for the account and the grant.

  • Multi-year grants are paid out annually, upon receipt and review of an annual progress report.
  • Most final reports are due a few months before the end of the grant period, in order to coincide with the proposal deadline so that they can be reviewed concurrently.
  • There may be additional grant or payment requirements noted in your award letter.
  • Information on setting up your account and logging in will be sent in advance of your next report or application deadline.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at grants@gddf.org.

More Opportunities

Cash Reserve Challenge

ARTISTIC VITALITY grantees are eligible for Cash Reserve Challenge (CRC) grants, but they are by invitation only. For many groups the key to expanding programming, innovating, taking risk requires financial stability. Those of our arts partners that meet certain criteria may be eligible to receive a matching grant of up to $25,000 to help them establish operational reserve funds.  You must:

  • Be a current Artistic Vitality grantee.
  • Have a history of stable finances.
  • Have strong, positive net assets.
  • Have a board-approved reserve fund plan that outlines strategies to build and maintain a capital reserve and use it to advance artistic goals.
  • Have sufficient organizational capacity to achieve the reserve fund plan and the required match.

If you have a question about CRCs…
In Chicago, contact Ellen Placey Wadey, Program Director, Chicago Artistic Vitality and Collections, at 312.977.2707.
In the Lowcountry, call the office at 843.972.7187

Program-Related Investments

In addition to its regular grantmaking, we provide bridge financing (loans and lines of credit) and credit enhancements (letters of credit and guarantees) to non-profit organizations. These bank-like instruments are known as program-related investments or PRIs.  Historically, the Foundation has made PRIs to land conservation groups in both regions, but we are open to making PRIs within our arts and collections mission areas as well. Our goal is to educate and empower our borrowers to accelerate the pace of their  work.

Read more about our PRI program