General Operating Support (GOS) Grants

Grant Information


Purpose
To help strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout the state.


Who's Eligible
S.C. nonprofit organizations and units of government, who either have a primary mission focused on the arts, serve as the primary arts provider in their community, or provide ongoing arts programming in their community.


Funding
No pre-set range


Matching Requirement
3:1 (grantee:SCAC)

Important Updates

GOS Grantee Groups

Current General Operating Support (GOS) grantees have been split into three groups, to reapply once every three years. If you are a current GOS grantee and do not know your Group number, please contact the Grants Team (803.734.8695 | grants@arts.sc.gov).

These guidelines are for use by eligible applicants for FY25 funding.

FY24 Operating Support grantees

FY24 grantees in GOS Group 3 may apply for a new funding cycle using the application available November 16, 2023. FY24 grantees in GOS Groups 1 and 2 will continue their existing funding cycle in FY25. An FY25 grant contract will be issued upon approval of the grantee’s FY24 final report, due in August 2024.

New applicants
  • Organizations who are not FY24 operating support grantees may apply for FY25 operating support funding. The application will be available November 2023; the submission deadline is February 15, 2024.

Please Note

Grant guidelines are subject to change until application opens.

About This Grant

Purpose

To help strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout the state via three (3) years of unrestricted support for basic operations for applicants ranging from emerging to established arts organizations with primary missions involving these artistic functions:

  • producing,
  • service,
  • presenting,
  • and/or education.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through our grants portal, which uses the Foundant platform.

New to Foundant? For frequently asked questions, registration instructions, and other helpful information, we highly recommend visiting the Grants Portal FAQbefore you begin working in the system.

The initial application will take time to complete, so we strongly advise you to begin well in advance of the deadline. The online application is opened each year at least one month in advance for the upcoming deadline.

Application Preview

(Available to FY24 GOS Group 3 grantees and new applicants November 16, 2023.)

Not quite ready to apply? You can preview the application before you create an account or start an application.

After You Apply

I’m Here to Help!

  • If you are seeking advisement, please contact Arts Industry Director La Ruchala Murphy (803.734.8762 | lmurphy@arts.sc.govbefore submitting an application.
  • If you have submitted an application, and/or you have a current grant, please contact the Grants Team (803.734.8695 | grants@arts.sc.gov).

Grants Coaching

We also highly recommend a visit to our Grants Coaching webpage, for

Missed a group call or session? Look for the video link to access a recording of that presentation.