Applying

FY24 Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

The FY24 CDF application will launch in early April, with a deadline of Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 5:00PM.  Recent applicants will be notified by e-mail regarding release date, application information and reminders, deadlines, funding notifications, and more. The application will be hosted on a new, modern platform and will more closely reflect the CDF funding criteria.  Many application questions will look familiar while some have been revised and others are new. Organizations are encouraged to review the FY24 CDF Guidelines for a complete listing of eligibility, project requirements, and the application review process.

Eligibility Requirements

DCLA will consider proposals in every cultural discipline and from every area of New York City for services that take place within the five boroughs and within the City’s Fiscal Year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024). 

All proposals should represent a cultural activity of recognized quality that is accessible to the public. Funded services can be as different as the organizations providing them, but they will all have a common commitment to cultural public service and public participation in the arts.

Eligible organizations will:

• Be either a nonprofit arts or cultural organization, or a nonprofit organization that has an arts or culture component in its broader mission.
• Demonstrate successful delivery of arts and cultural services in New York City for the last two consecutive years.
• Be based in New York City and able to demonstrate administrative and programmatic operations within any of the five boroughs of New York City. Your administrative address is determined by your IRS 990, 501(c)(3) letter, and other publicly available information.
• Possess a unique Federal Employee Identification Number (EIN).
• Be certified as tax exempt under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c)(3); or be an incorporated nonprofit that uses a DCLA pre-approved, New York State incorporated tax-exempt fiscal sponsor. Only nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply, regardless of whether they use a fiscal sponsor.  Limited Liability Companies, Benefit corporations, Limited Partnerships, and individual artists are not eligible to apply.  
• Be incorporated in New York State as a nonprofit organization no later than the organization’s fiscal year 2021.
• Be compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements for nonprofit organizations, including New York State Charities Bureau filings.

The following entities are not eligible to receive CDF funds:

• Unincorporated individual artists or artist collectives
• Limited Liability Companies, Benefit Corporations, Limited Partnerships
• Parent Teacher associations or organizations
• Nonprofit organizations without IRS 501(c)3 tax exempt status that do not utilize an eligible fiscal sponsor  
• Nonprofit organizations with chapters, offices, branches, or general activity in New York City but that are administratively based outside of New York City
• Members of DCLA’s Cultural Institutions Group
• Programs of City, State or Federal agencies
• Libraries or degree-granting institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities; organizations that are affiliated with such institutions should contact DCLA prior to applying to determine eligibility
• Organizations without a history of providing services in arts and culture as well as related income and expenses in the last two years
• Organizations that are not in compliance with DCLA’s previous grant reporting requirements

New applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Services Help Desk at cdfhelpdesk@culture.nyc.gov with questions pertaining to eligibility well in advance of the May 9 deadline. Previous applicants should contact their program officer.

FY24 CDF Technical Assistance

In support of your successful completion of the CDF application, our technical assistance will include:

• FY24 Application Worksheet for download that includes all CDF application questions for use offline at a time convenient for you.
• Application webinars (live and recorded).
• Office hours with program officers to provide some dedicated time for your calls and questions.
• Regular email updates during the open application period.
• FAQs on our website.
• The ability to directly contact your program officer.

Webinars will start the week of April 10, to give you time to study the application and related materials.  Below is a preview of the schedule for webinars and office hours; registration for both will open when the application launches in early April.

Webinars
Tuesday, April 11 at 12:30pm
Thursday, April 20 at 10:30am
Wednesday, April 26 at 6pm
Monday, May 1 at 3pm

Office Hours
Wednesday, April 19 at 12:30pm and 6pm
Tuesday, April 25 at 10:30am

CDF Panelist Nomination

All eligible FY24 CDF applications will go through a competitive panel review during the summer of calendar year 2023. Proposals are reviewed by peer panelists with current expertise in arts and culture of New York City.

DCLA is currently seeking submissions for panelists to bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to the table, and who represent the diversity of New York City.

Selected panelists will convene virtually in summer 2023. Cultural Affairs has increased stipends for panelists to $480 to prepare for and participate in a single-day panel.

Submit your request to be a panelist through the Panelist Submission Form.