Arts Commission - Fiscal Year 2027 Grant Application

Federal Way Arts Commission - Fiscal Year 2027 Grant Application

Grant Application: Updated July 2026 | Deadline to Submit: August 27, 2026
FISCAL YEAR 2027 – GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

Established in 1991, the City of Federal Way Arts Commission is a volunteer commission made up of residents living in Federal Way. There are nine members and two alternates on the Commission. The Arts Commission advises and recommends to the Federal Way City Council activities related to all aspects of the arts — visual, performing, literary, and cultural.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Arts Commission Grant program is to provide funds for the promotion of the arts, events and cultural heritage activities for the citizens of Federal Way.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants for the next year’s Federal Way Arts Commission Grant must demonstrate that their projects meet the following criteria:

• Services must be provided from JANUARY 1, 2027 to DECEMBER 31, 2027 located in the City of Federal Way.

• Agencies/individuals must have an IRS Code, Section 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt status. Applicants will be required to present evidence of such status.

• Services must provide a program or activity that directly benefits the diverse citizenry of Federal Way.

• Project must have arts, heritage, and/or culture as a primary component.

• The Federal Way Arts Commission logo must be included on any grant-supported promotional materials for your event or performance.

RESTRICTIONS

Arts Commission Grants are NOT available for:

• Events that are not open or available to the public

• Tuition for course or school credit

• Per diem travel expenses, attending related workshops, seminars or conferences

• School activities that might be considered a part of regular or extra-curricular school programs

• Administrative expenses, utilities or staff salaries

HOW TO APPLY

Complete a Federal Way Arts Commission Grant Application. Applications shall reflect services delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2027. Applications must also include all requested supplementary forms as attachments to the online application:

• Proof of 501(c)3 status

• A financial statement of your past year’s budget vs. actual expenses

• List of participating board members and staff with names and titles

• Samples of past / upcoming marketing materials that relate to your request

QUESTIONS?

For questions regarding the application process, please contact:
Cassie Swan, Recreation Coordinator, at (253) 835-6928
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
or by email at cassie.swan@federalwaywa.gov.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY AUGUST 27, 2026.

Applications submitted after the deadline are ineligible.

RELEVANT DATES
- JULY 17, 2026: Grant Submissions Open
- AUGUST 27, 2026: Last Day to Submit Grant Applications
- SEPTEMBER 2026: Applicant Interviews
- OCTOBER 2026: Submissions Reviewed, Applicants Notified
- NOVEMBER 2026: Submitted for City Council Review
- END OF 2026: Applicants Notified, Grants Awarded
REVIEW PROCESS

The Arts Commission will review the applications, rated by a grants proposal score in the following areas: annual budget, total number of performances, audience size for each performance, multicultural community reach for audiences and performers. Applicants will then be notified in writing if they’ve advanced to interviews for the purpose of presenting their proposal to the commission and answering any questions they may have about proposed services. Applicants MUST HAVE two (2) people present at the time of the interview, one of which must have signing authority for the requesting organization. All meetings are open to the public. After the review is completed, the Arts Commission will recommend recipients for grant funding to the Federal Way City Council. Contract recipients will receive notification of funding and contracts by the end of 2026.

FUNDING + PAYMENT

The City of Federal Way Arts Commission provides REIMBURSEMENT for costs incurred in connection with such performances/services following their completion. Partial payment may be requested. For example, if an organization applies for a series of concerts, partial payment may be requested following each concert. If partial payments are requested, please fill out each request accordingly. Upon being awarded an amount, the panel will make clear how partial payments will be dispersed in the contract. Before payment can be processed, an event report must be completed and reviewed. After review, processing will take four to six weeks to fund. Final reports and invoices for the year with samples of event marketing materials must be received no later than DECEMBER 20, 2027 for processing.

Please note that the online application (via JotForm) does not allow you to save your progress and return later. To avoid losing your work, we strongly recommend drafting your responses in a Microsoft Word document (or another word processing program) using the questions below as your guide. Once you have completed your responses and gathered any required supporting information, you can return to the JotForm application and submit your entire application in one session. Taking this extra step will help ensure a smooth and successful application process.

Incomplete submissions or drafts that aren’t submitted by the deadline will be automatically deleted.

Click here to download a copy of the guidelines/questions on this form

Organizational Information
Organization Name
Date of Incorporation

MonthDayYear
Date
IRS Number:
Non-Profit Organization:
Organizations Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Organizations Mission Statement:
Please upload proof of 501(c)3 status

5 MB file maximum
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Contact Information
Grant Applicant Name

First NameLast Name
Grant Applicant Title
Grant Applicant Phone
Grant Applicant Email
example@example.com
Grant Applicant Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Authorizing Official Name

First NameLast Name
Authorizing Official Title
Authorizing Official Phone
Authorizing Official Email
example@example.com
Authorizing Official Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Alternate Contact/Member Name

First NameLast Name
Alternate Contact/Member Title
Alternate Contact/Member Phone
Alternate Contact/Member Email
example@example.com
Alternate Contact/Member Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Please upload a list of participating board members and staff with names and titles

5 MB file maximum
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Organizational Budget

Revenue

Rows	Enter Revenue Amounts Below
Admissions
Private Donations
Corporate Donations
Government
Other Revenue

Expenses

Rows	Enter Expense Amounts Below
Personnel, Administration
Personnel, Artistic
Personnel, Technical/Production
Outside Artistic Fees
Other Outside Fees
Space Rental
Equipment Rental
Marketing
Other Project Expenses

Funding Amount

Rows	Enter Funding Amounts Below
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
Funding Requested

Please upload a financial statement of your past year’s budget vs. actual expenses.

5 MB file maximum
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Describe your organization’s plan or event plans for 2027.
Events. For each event include the following:
Events. For each event include the following:
Events. For each event include the following:
How would the Arts Commission Funds be used?
How will the proposed events and services attract an audience that includes multi-generational and multicultural populations of Federal Way?
How will your event(s) be marketed or promoted?
Please provide samples of past / upcoming marketing materials that relate to your request.

5 MB file maximum
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If Your Organization Is Selected for Funding

Organizations awarded funding through the Federal Way Arts Commission Grant Program will be responsible for completing the following requirements before and after their funded program(s):

Grant Agreement: Read, sign, and have notarized the grant agreement between the City of Federal Way and your organization before funds can be distributed.
Certificate of Insurance: Provide a current Certificate of Insurance listing the City of Federal Way as the certificate holder. Additional insurance requirements or endorsements may be requested depending on the nature of the funded program or event.
Final Report: Complete and submit the required Final Report using the form provided by the City following the completion of each funded program or project. This report helps document program outcomes and the impact of grant funding.
Invoice for Reimbursement: Complete and submit the attached Invoice for Reimbursement after each funded program or project. Reimbursement will be processed upon receipt of the completed invoice and any required supporting documentation.

DECLARATION

The affirming individual declares that s/he is authorized to make this application and will assure any funds received because of this application will be used only for the purposes set forth herein. If any application changes are required, the request must be made in writing. The signatory also understands the application must be complete at the time of submission and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

SIGNATURE

By signing electronically (signature below), I certify that to the best of my knowledge the information contained in this application is accurate.
Board President or Authorizing Official
Applicant Contact
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

Federal Way Arts Commission - Fiscal Year 2027 Grant Application

Organizational Information

Contact Information

Organizational Budget

If Your Organization Is Selected for Funding