Apply for an Arts Organizations and Arts Programs Grant

The Creative Business Loan Fund is a financial initiative aimed at supporting small, creative businesses throughout Pennsylvania. With a total funding pool of $2.6 million, the program offers affordable and flexible financing options tailored to the unique needs of creative entrepreneurs.

Loan amounts can range from a few thousand dollars to an average of $110,000, with the possibility of considering larger requests. This program is designed to empower creative businesses, fostering growth and innovation within the commonwealth's vibrant arts and culture sector.

• Read the application guidelines in full. 
• Check the due dates for grants to determine the current year application deadline.
• Apply through the Electronic Single Application (ESA).

• Be a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation, or a unit of local governments.
  • Note that Pre-K to 12 schools and programs are not eligible. This includes all public, private, parochial, and charter schools, and their booster organizations. (K-12 schools should contact the Arts in Education Program of the PCA for other opportunities).
• Be located in Pennsylvania. Except for nonprofit, tax-exempt corporations acting as fiscal sponsors for an unincorporated group or a Pennsylvania LLC with a not-for-profit purpose. (See application guidelines for further guidance on fiscal sponsorship.)
• Register with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations. This excludes local governments and fiscal sponsors.
• Have a history of at least two years of consistent arts programming in Pennsylvania.

Revenue requirements:

• Have an annual average arts revenue over $200,000. PCA determines revenue size by a two year average demonstrated by:

  • Arts Organization: Form 990-Department of the Treasury-Internal Revenue Service
  • Arts Program of Non-Arts Organization: Applicant board approved arts-specific program financial statement.

The program financial statement must detail program revenue and expenses. It must include contributed and earned income, and investment income, if applicable. In-kind is not included.