Cultural Funding Grant Program

Cultural Funding Grant Program Button


Through the Cultural Funding Grant Program, $90,000 in funding is awarded annually to support Ventura-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. These funds are unrestricted and may be used for organizational support, programming, and services.

Grant Program Goals

The Cultural Funding Grant Program, first developed in 1993, supports the following cultural goals as stated in the 2005 Ventura General Plan:

  1. To support Ventura’s cultural infrastructure of arts organizations and artists
  2. To ensure comprehensive access to and involvement in cultural opportunities by all segments of the community
  3. To support economic development and increase tourism
  4. To enhance lifelong learning opportunities in the arts for all ages


Grant Timeline

  • Monday, March 27, 2023 before 9 am (PST): Deadline to request a secure link to the grant portal for uploading your application and digital supplemental materials.
  • Tuesday, March 28, 2023 before 5 pm (PST): Deadline to submit your application and all supplemental materials, either by mail, in-person, email, or using your requested secure link.
  • April 2023: Grant panel convenes via WebEx followed by Arts & Culture Commission review of panel recommendations.
  • End of April /Early May 2023: Award notifications sent via email.

How to Submit Your Grant Application

There are 4 easy ways to submit your grant application:

  1. MAIL packet to:
    City of Ventura - Parks & Recreation Dept.
    Attn: Cultural Funding Grant Program
    501 Poli Street, Room 226
    Ventura, CA 93001

  2. DELIVER packet in-person to:
    Ventura City Hall
    Attn: Kathryn Dippong-Lawson
    501 Poli Street, Room 226
    Ventura, CA 93001

  3. EMAIL packet to:
    Kathryn Dippong-Lawson
    [email protected]

  4. DIGITAL FILE UPLOAD:
    Email Kathryn Dippong Lawson at [email protected] and request a secure link to the grant portal.
    • You will receive an email with your secure link and instructions on how to upload your files within 24-business hours.
    • We highly recommend you request your secure link as early as possible. This will ensure you have enough time to submit your digital files and artistic samples before the deadline.
    • IMPORTANT: Monday, March 27, 2023 before 9 am is the deadline to request a secure link to the grant portal.