Purpose

To make the arts accessible to all Virginians by supporting improvements in an organization’s space, facilities, or programming.

Description

The Accessibility Microgrant provides funding up to $2,000, with a 10% (1:10) cash match requirement, for projects that meet a specific accessibility need in an organization’s arts offerings. In-kind or federal matches will not be accepted. Funds will be distributed on a rolling basis in two cycles throughout the fiscal year; once funds are depleted for a given cycle, no more projects will be approved.

This grant supports a wide variety of projects, including minor, non-transformational facilities improvements. While it does not fund construction or installation, it may fund supplies, like signage, that would later be installed.

Eligible Applicants

Virginia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations whose primary purpose is the arts (units of government, organizations using a fiscal agent, and educational institutions and their private companion foundations are not eligible).

Eligibility Requirements

• Meets the basic eligibility requirements listed on page 9 of the Guidelines for Funding
• Has identified an accessibility need in a way that demonstrates an organizational commitment to improving access, which could include a self-assessment, community partnership, audit, or staff review. If a self-assessment is used, eligible documents may include the Open Door Arts’ Arts and Culture Accessibility Self-Assessment, the NEA 504 Self-Assessment Workbook, or other comparable documents.
• Organizations may only receive one Accessibility Microgrant in each fiscal year. Additional applications will not be accepted.
• Must have no past due Final Reports to the VCA at the time of application.

Eligible Activities (for the grant period of July 1, 2026 – June 15, 2027)

Accessible Programming: Grants may support supplies and services for programs (either temporary or ongoing) which are accessible to people with disabilities. Activities of this kind might include:

• Printing programs, sheet music, and other materials in braille or large print
• Accessibility training or audits
• Use of captioning or speech-to-text apps
• Transportation/mobility assistance services
• Website accessibility improvements
• Tactile art supplies
• Staff training in accessibility protocols
• Other inclusive programming

Equipment Purchases: Grants may support purchases of equipment that would allow people with disabilities to better access arts programming. These might include:

• Other inclusive programming
• Adaptive touchscreen interfaces
• Assistive listening systems or devices
• Electronic drawing tablets
• Sensory feedback tools
• Adaptive styluses
• Haptic metronomes
• Other adaptive art materials

Facilities Enhancements: Grants may support limited and non-constructive improvements that increase accessibility in commonly-used spaces. Enhancements of this kind might include:

• Installing accessibility signage in your interior or exterior space
• Modifying existing signage in/around restrooms, fountains, and/or quiet rooms
• Purchasing tactile or contrast floor indicators at slope changes
• Installation of Braille plaques

Application Deadline

This grant will be awarded on a rolling basis in two cycles. No more grants will be awarded in a given cycle once funding is depleted. Applications for a given cycle must be submitted no later than two (2) weeks before the grant activity would take place.

• Cycle 1: July 1, 2026 – December 1, 2026
• Cycle 2: January 1, 2027 – June 1, 2027

Assistance Amount

This grant provides up to $2,000, with a 10% (1:10) cash match requirement, for approved projects. Funding is provided in the form of reimbursement after the grant activities take place.

Cash Match

Grant awards to organizations must be matched 1:10. For example, if an organization requests $1,000 from VCA, it must have at least $100 in cash income from another source towards the expenses of that same project. Sources of matching funds may include revenue from the project activities such as ticket sales; contributions from individuals, foundations, or corporations; government support from federal, state, or local sources, or cash from the organization’s own accounts.

Criteria for Evaluating Applications

The Virginia Commission for the Arts will evaluate applications based on the following:

Feasibility of Project Proposal – Given the proposed project, the extent to which the applicant demonstrates their ability to effectively carry out all activities within funding, time, or staff constraints.

Impact on Organizational Accessibility – The extent to which audiences and/or artists will be able to access the applicant’s offerings and programs more easily after the successful completion of the project.

Engagement with Disability Community – The extent to which the applicant can demonstrate that their project has been informed by people with disabilities or disability experts (including tools developed by those people). Examples of successful engagement include community partnerships, ongoing relationships, or programming that serves people with disabilities.

Required Attachments

The following forms are provided by the Commission via upload in the online grant application:

• Project Budget Form
• Signed Certification of Assurances Form
• Virginia W-9 Form

Applicants must generate and upload the following support documents:

• One piece of documentation that the applicant engaged with the disability community in planning their project. Eligible documentation could include, but is not limited to:
  • Receipt of completion of an accessibility self-assessment, which may include the NEA Section 504 Workbook or Open Door Arts’ Arts and Culture Accessibility Self-Assessment
  • Feedback from an audience member, patron, or caregiver (with personally identifying information removed)
  • Results of an accessibility audit performed on your organization
• IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter

Application/Review/Payment Process

1. Applicants must complete and submit the online application to the Commission by the deadline (2 weeks before the proposed grant activity will begin).
2. The Commission staff reviews each application for completeness and eligibility.
3. Accessibility Microgrants are not automatic. Confirmation/grant award letters are generally emailed two weeks after receipt of a completed and approved application.
4. The Commission will reimburse all funded expenses within 30 days of the grantee’s submission of a complete Final Report, which includes receipts. However, the Commission reserves the right to use an alternative payment schedule in special circumstances.
5. Final Reports must be submitted 30 days after the completion of all funded activities. Failure to submit a Final Report by the deadline will impact future funding.