Operating Grants

Eligible Operating Grant Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a 501(c) organization exempt from tax under the Internal Revenue Code with at least 6 months of active programming history under the 501(c) designation OR be an agency, division or department of the State of Iowa which operates a facility open to the public.
• Have headquarters in and conduct most of its activities within one of Bravo’s partner local governments.
• Demonstrate a primary organizational purpose of arts, culture, interpretative science, and/or heritage that focuses on the collection, preservation, production, presentation and/or promotion of artistic expression, traditions, customs, or stories within creative, educational, or historic contexts. Mission language, programming, public access, support materials, partnerships, and budget must all clearly illustrate arts, culture, interpretative science or heritage as the organization’s primary purpose (at least 60%) in Greater Des Moines.
  Note: Eligibility does not guarantee funding. Specific eligibility requirements may be waived at Bravo’s discretion.

Ineligible applicants for operating support include, but are not limited to:

• Individual artists
• Fiscally sponsored organizations
• Private organizations, clubs or groups that do not offer public programming
• Political, religious, or academic organizations
• Public libraries
• Public or private schools or higher education institutions
• Those formed with the express purpose of fundraising on behalf of, supporting and/or promoting applicants that are not otherwise eligible for funding (e.g. friends societies, etc. for libraries, political, religious or academic organizations)
• Nonprofit organizations whose primary mission and work advances other sectors such as social services (food, housing, childcare, schools, mental health and wellness, etc.), economic development, business and entrepreneurship, financial services, sports and recreation, technology, etc., even if arts and culture programming is used to deliver some of the organization’s mission.