Challenge America
Flat $10,000 NEA grants for small arts organizations bringing arts projects to underserved communities.
About this program
Challenge America supports arts projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups and communities. It is designed for small organizations with less than $250,000 in prior-year operating expenses. Applicants apply through Grants for Arts Projects and select the Challenge America discipline, at the February or July cycle. Requests must be exactly $10,000; higher requests are marked ineligible. A 1:1 cost share is required. The 2026 cycles have closed and new guidelines are expected by late December 2026.
Eligibility
U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, units of state or local government, and federally recognized tribes with at least 5 years of arts programming and at least $20,000 in operating expenses in the most recent fiscal year. Not open to individuals or for-profit businesses. Organization must have less than $250,000 in prior-year operating expenses.
Requirements
- Login.gov, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov registration
- Part 1: SF-424 short organization form via Grants.gov
- Part 2: Grant Application Form in the NEA Applicant Portal