Opportunities

Current Opportunities

2026-27 Tacoma Creates – Impact Funding

Summary
Tacoma Creates is the City of Tacoma’s Cultural Access Program. This community-supported initiative increases access to arts, culture, heritage, and science experiences throughout Tacoma by reducing barriers to access and expanding offerings, particularly for underserved youth.

Eligible non-profit arts, culture, heritage, and science organizations may apply for funding that helps them expand equitable access to public programs, increase opportunities in neighborhoods throughout Tacoma, expand educational options for youth, and build sustainability for continued services to the community.

Contracts for funding will go to organizations that demonstrate specific support and benefits for people and communities in Tacoma, based on the questions and evaluation criteria described in the Application Guidelines.

This category is open to organizations that meet all five eligibility requirements, or that meet the eligibility exceptions, as described in the Eligibility for Funding section below. Organizations that apply in this category may request a minimum of $3,000, and up to $60,000 per year. Applicants in this category may propose a single program or multiple programs throughout the year. Applicants may propose general public programs (open to adults or all ages), or youth education programs, or both, and must demonstrate a commitment to Tacoma Creates’ vision for vibrant, equitable, and inclusive cultural programs. The funding request may be up to 50 percent of the total cost of the proposed programming; applicants must demonstrate at least a 1:1 match of other resources to support the work, which may include volunteer time, and donated materials and space.

There are two application forms within the Impact Funding category:

• Level A: for organizations requesting between $3,000 and $19,999, or for organizations only proposing Beyond the Bell, Club B, or Summer Late Nights programs
• Level B: for organizations requesting between $20,000 and $60,000

The application review panel will consider funding for Level A and Level B applications separately, to better support newer and smaller organizations, along with proposals that are smaller in scope. The Level A application is slightly shorter, though both applications have the same basic application components and the same evaluation criteria.

What Tacoma Creates Funding Can Support
Tacoma Creates funds can support a wide variety of public programs that advance arts, culture, heritage, and science, that take place within Tacoma city limits. This includes, but is not limited to performances, presentations, workshops, permanent and special museum exhibitions, events, festivals, and educational programs for all ages. Programs must generally be open to the public, with the exception of Public School Cultural Access Programs that are specifically for Tacoma Public Schools / Chief Leschi Schools students or teachers, or education programs for court-connected youth. Tacoma Creates funding can also support general organization expenses and capacity building efforts that are connected to the public programming work.

Eligibility for Funding
Tacoma Creates has specific eligibility requirements, based on Washington State and City of Tacoma regulations, which you can read more about here. There are five primary eligibility areas, and organizations that meet all five may apply for either Impact Funding or Comprehensive Organizational Support. Organizations that do not meet all five, but do meet the exceptions listed below, may apply in the Impact Funding category.

Here is how to see if your organization is eligible to apply:

• Primary Purpose
  Your organization’s primary purpose – meaning your overall mission and the majority of your activities –  must be to advance and/or preserve arts, culture, heritage and/or science, using the definitions listed on page 3 of the Application Guidelines.

• • Exception: Business District Associations and Neighborhood Councils recognized by the City of Tacoma may be eligible in the Impact Funding category (see Special Categories below).

• Non-Profit Status
  Your organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, incorporated under the laws of Washington State and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

• • Exception: if your organization does not have this non-profit status, but meets the requirements for Primary Purpose, Location, and Program Delivery, you may apply for Impact Funding using a Fiscal Sponsor that is a non-profit organization. You can find more information about Fiscal Sponsorship on this document. You will need to submit a letter of commitment from your Fiscal Sponsor in order to apply.

• Location
  Your organization’s official business address is within Tacoma city limits. This is confirmed by the address registered with the IRS, and on your City of Tacoma business license.

• • Exception: if your organization’s official business address is outside Tacoma, but within Pierce County, you may still be eligible. If your organization provides at least 75 percent of your public programming in Tacoma, and you meet all of the other eligibility requirements listed here, you may apply in the Impact Funding category.

• Program Delivery
  Your organization must directly provide cultural programming or experiences to the general public within Tacoma city limits.

• • There are no exceptions to this requirement. Use the Parcel Analysis Tool to verify programming locations, as there are some locations that use “Tacoma” in their address that are technically outside of Tacoma city limits.

SPECIAL CATEGORIES
There are two additional types of organizations that are eligible to apply for Impact Funding:

• Business District Associations and Neighborhood Councils
  Active Business District Associations and Neighborhood Councils recognized by the City of Tacoma may apply for funding for neighborhood-based arts, culture, heritage, and/or science programs or events, especially fairs and festivals, but must have a Fiscal Sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) organization in Tacoma that meets the primary purpose criteria of advancing or preserving arts, culture, heritage, and/or science. Learn about Fiscal Sponsorship; a signed Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement is required in your application.
• Affiliate Cultural Programs within a larger non-profit
  Established and distinct cultural programs that meet the Primary Purpose, Location, and Program Delivery criteria, and are part of a larger non-profit, public-serving organization, may apply if the following additional eligibility criteria are met:

• • Independent mission: Have a published mission statement independent of the parent organization
  • Independent board: Have a board or steering committee that guides the program, independent of the parent organization’s board
  • Independent budget: Have a distinct, balanced budget, independent of the parent organization
  • Track record: Five years providing public programming in arts, culture, heritage, and/or science
  • Staff: Have dedicated, paid staff, equal to at least one full-time employee
  • Matching Funds: Provide a 1:1 cash match for Tacoma Creates funds
  • The parent organization must:

• • • Be a public-serving 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) non-profit organization
    • Be based within Tacoma city limits
    • Retain no more than 10 percent of any Tacoma Creates funding to support administrative services
    • Submit a completed Affiliate Organization Agreement

Exclusions from Eligibility
Certain kinds or organizations are not eligible for any category of Tacoma Creates funding, based on Washington State legislation (RCW 36.160). Excluded from eligibility is any agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions; any municipal corporation; any organization that raises funds for redistribution to multiple cultural organizations; and any radio or television broadcasting network or station, cable communications system, internet-based communications venture or service, newspaper, or magazine.

Application Support
These free workshops will cover how the application process works and how to develop a strong application. Applicants are encouraged to send a representative to one of the three workshops. Each workshop will have a different focus: we encourage you to attend the one that best matches your organization’s situation, but we will cover the basics at all workshops so you may attend whichever one fits your schedule. A recording of the workshop held via Zoom will be posted at tacomacreates.org/application-assistance.

Registration is not required for either of the in-person workshops, though space is limited and we encourage you to arrive a few minutes early. For the virtual workshop, you will need to register through the link provided below.

We encourage applicants to read through the complete guidelines in advance of attending the workshop, and come with questions. The presentation portion of the workshop will be about an hour, with time allotted at the end for questions and discussion.

Friday, February 6, 2026, 12:30-2pm – Virtual

• Focus: New applicants: new organizations and/or new staff with returning organizations, applying in either funding category
• Zoom – click this link to register in advance
• We recommend attending via laptop or desktop computer, so that you will be able to see the slides shared during the workshop.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 2-3:30pm – In-Person

• Focus: Impact Funding
• South Tacoma Branch, Tacoma Public Library, 3411 S 56^th St
• Nearest bus routes: 3, 41, 53; free parking available in lot, as well as street parking

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 1-2:30pm – In-Person

• Focus: Comprehensive Organizational Support
• Tacoma Municipal Building, room 243, 747 Market St
• Nearest bus routes: 1, 11, 16; paid street parking available

Thursday, March 12, 2026, 1-2:30pm – In-Person

• Focus: Individual Support. Note that this date will be an Office Hours session – there will be no formal presentation. Instead, Tacoma Creates staff will be available to answer any questions you have before the Impact Funding application deadline.
• Community Hub (2^nd Floor), Main Branch, Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave S
• Nearest bus routes: 1, 28, 45, 57, free street parking available

Application Deadline
March 23, 2026, 11:59pm

Funding Application Guidelines
Download the 2026-27 Tacoma Creates Impact Funding Application Guidelines (PDF) for complete funding information, including eligibility.

How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through our online application form. Go to tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit and select the 2026-27 Impact Funding form.

Questions?
You are welcome to contact Tacoma Creates staff at any time:

• Lisa Jaret, Tacoma Creates Program Manager: ljaret@tacoma.gov or 253-591-5161
• Clarissa Gines, Tacoma Creates Coordinator: cgines@tacoma.gov or 253-591-5174
• Kyle Mullins, Tacoma Creates Program Assistant: kmullins@tacoma.gov or 253-591-2038

2026-27 Tacoma Creates – Comprehensive Organizational Support

Summary
Tacoma Creates is the City of Tacoma’s Cultural Access Program. This community-supported initiative increases access to arts, culture, heritage, and science experiences throughout Tacoma by expanding offerings and reducing barriers to participation, particularly for underserved youth. Eligible non-profit arts, culture, heritage, and science organizations may apply for funding that helps them expand equitable access to public programs, increase opportunities in neighborhoods throughout Tacoma, expand educational options for youth, and build sustainability for continued services to the community. Contracts for funding will go to those organizations that best demonstrate how their arts, culture, heritage, and/or science programs benefit people and communities in Tacoma, based on the goals and evaluation criteria described in the Application Guidelines.

This category is open to organizations that meet all five eligibility requirements, described in the Eligibility for Funding section below. Organizations that apply in this category may request up to 15 percent of their total annual budget, based on the average of their actual income over their last three completed fiscal years, up to a maximum of $400,000 per 12-month funding cycle. Applicants in this category must demonstrate organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as strong programming work in all three of these public benefit areas: neighborhood programming, increasing public access, and educational programming for youth. Applicants in this category must offer programs for the general public (adults/all ages), as well as youth education programs. Applicants in this category are expected to offer a variety of public programming opportunities throughout the year.

What Tacoma Creates Funding Can Support
Tacoma Creates funding can support a wide variety of public programs that advance arts, culture, heritage, and science, that take place within Tacoma city limits. This includes, but is not limited to performances, presentations, workshops, permanent and special museum exhibitions, events, festivals, and educational programs for all ages. Programs must generally be open to the public, with the exception of Public School Cultural Access Programs that are specifically for Tacoma Public Schools / Chief Leschi Schools students or teachers, or education programs for court-connected youth. Tacoma Creates funding can also support general organization expenses and capacity building efforts that are connected to the public programming work.

Eligibility for Funding
Tacoma Creates has specific eligibility requirements, based on Washington State and City of Tacoma regulations, which you can read more about here. There are five primary eligibility areas for Comprehensive Organizational Support.

Here is how to see if your organization is eligible to apply:

• Primary Purpose
  Your organization’s primary purpose – meaning your overall mission and the majority of your activities – must be to advance and/or preserve arts, culture, heritage and/or science.

• Non-Profit Status
  Your organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, incorporated under the laws of Washington State and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

• Location
  Your organization’s official business address is within Tacoma city limits. This is confirmed by the address registered with the IRS, and on your City of Tacoma business license.

• Program Delivery
  Your organization must directly provide cultural programming or experiences to the general public within Tacoma city limits.

• Track Record
  Your organization has a two-year history of providing cultural programming or experiences to the general public in Tacoma.

Exclusions from Eligibility
Certain kinds or organizations are not eligible for any category of Tacoma Creates funding, based on Washington State legislation (RCW 36.160). Excluded from eligibility is any agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions; any municipal corporation; any organization that raises funds for redistribution to multiple cultural organizations; and any radio or television broadcasting network or station, cable communications system, internet-based communications venture or service, newspaper, or magazine.

Application Support
There are three free workshops that cover the application process and how to develop a strong application. Each workshop will have a different focus; we encourage applicants to attend the workshop that best matches your organization’s situation, but we will cover the basics at all workshops.

The first workshop will be held via Zoom and requires registration (see link below); a recording of this workshop will be posted at tacomacreates.org/application-assistance. Registration is not required for the in-person workshops, though space is limited and we encourage you to arrive a few minutes early.

Applicants should read the guidelines before attending the workshop and come with questions. The presentation portion of the workshop will be about an hour, with time at the end for questions and discussion.

Friday, February 6, 2026, 12:30-2pm – Virtual

• Focus: New applicants: new organizations and/or new staff with returning organizations, applying in either funding category
• Zoom – click this link to register in advance
• We recommend attending via laptop or desktop computer, so that you will be able to see the slides shared during the workshop.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 2-3:30pm – In-Person

• Focus: Impact Funding
• South Tacoma Branch, Tacoma Public Library, 3411 S 56^th St
• Nearest bus routes: 3, 41, 53; free parking available in lot, as well as street parking

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 1-2:30pm – In-Person

• Focus: Comprehensive Organizational Support
• Tacoma Municipal Building, room 243, 747 Market St
• Nearest bus routes: 1, 11, 16; paid street parking available

To request a reasonable accommodation for these workshops, please contact the Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality at (253) 591‐5191. TTY or speech to speech users may dial 711 to connect to Washington Relay Services.

Application Deadline
Monday, March 9, 2026, 11:59pm

Funding Application Guidelines
Download the 2026-27 Tacoma Creates Comprehensive Organizational Support Application Guidelines (PDF) for complete funding information, including eligibility.

How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through our online application form. Go to tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit and select the 2026-27 Comprehensive Organizational Support form.

Questions?

You are welcome to contact Tacoma Creates staff at any time:

• Lisa Jaret, Tacoma Creates Program Manager: ljaret@tacoma.gov or 253-591-5161
• Clarissa Gines, Tacoma Creates Coordinator: cgines@tacoma.gov or 253-591-5174
• Kyle Mullins, Tacoma Creates Program Assistant: kmullins@tacoma.gov or 253-591-2038

Tacoma Creates – Organizational Eligibility Review Form

Is your organization interested in applying for Tacoma Creates funding?

If your organization has not previously been funded by Tacoma Creates, but you’d like to apply in the next funding cycle, we encourage you to go through the Eligibility Review process.

This process will determine whether your organization is eligible for Tacoma Creates funding and can move on to completing the full funding application, which will be released in late January 2026.

Tacoma Creates has two funding categories, and organizations can only apply in ONE of the categories. Start by reviewing the organizational eligibility requirements, which are explained on the Tacoma Creates website:

• Eligibility for Impact Funding (this funding category is generally for organizations with annual budgets under $400K)
• Eligibility for Comprehensive Organizational Support (this funding category is generally for organizations with annual budgets over $400K and with year-round work in both general public programs and youth education programs)

Organizations are NOT eligible if they are:

• Any agency of the state or political subdivisions
• A municipal corporation
• An organization that raises funds for redistribution to multiple cultural organizations
• Radio or television broadcasting network or stations, cable communications systems, internet-based communications venture or services, newspapers, or magazines

Eligibility for Tacoma Creates funding programs is based on Washington State and City of Tacoma legislation.

How to Apply

Before applying, please read through the Organizational Eligibility criteria, listed above.

The Organizational Eligibility Review Form can be found at tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit, and will be open until 11:59pm on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Within a week after you submit your form, you will receive an update from Tacoma Creates staff on next steps. Eligibility determinations will be made within 2-4 weeks, depending on when you submit.

Questions?

Email Lisa Jaret, Program Manager at ljaret@tacoma.gov. For more information about Tacoma Creates, visit www.tacomacreates.org.

Panel Interest Form

What is a Panel?

A panel is a group of individuals pulled together by staff to review applications or nominations for Arts & Cultural Vitality managed programs or opportunities. Panel members use published review criteria to evaluate applications and make recommendations about who gets grant funding, public art projects, roster appointments, etc.

Panelists are selected for a variety of reasons which can include: their connection to community, knowledge of relevant subject matter, and the diversity of perspectives and experiences they bring to the group overall. For each opportunity, we assemble a unique panel of three to nine people to make collective recommendations about which applicants should receive funding or commissions through our division. Those recommendations generally go to the Tacoma Arts Commission or the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board for final approval.

Why be a Panelist?

The Arts & Cultural Vitality Division (ACV) is deeply appreciative of the time and expertise community members invest in serving on panels. Serving on a panel is a proactive way to impact how public funds are spent in Tacoma, and panelists receive valuable professional development as well as insight into how the application review process works from the inside.

ACV provides panelists with free parking and food during meetings, in addition to offering a monetary honorarium.

The length and number of meetings needed for a selection process vary based on the project. Depending on the application, some panels will require a small amount of prep work in advance, one to two hours, and some panels may require extensive reading and evaluation work in advance of the in-person panel meeting, anywhere from 10-50 hours. Community members will be offered an honorarium for their service as follows:

• Panel Meetings: panelists will receive between $25 – $225 for attending a panel meeting; staff will determine the exact rate, depending on the length of the meeting.
• Pre-Meeting Preparation: panelists will receive between $100 – $500 for pre‐meeting work to digitally read and score applications (only when requested); staff will determine the exact rate, depending on the estimated time this work will take.

Members of a City‐appointed commission or board are volunteers and are not eligible to receive an honorarium for their service on a panel. City of Tacoma employees and project staff are not eligible to receive an honorarium for their service on a panel.

Submit a Panel Interest Form

Please complete the online form to be considered for a position on an upcoming ACV panel: www.surveymonkey.com/r/tacomapanels

Staff will take into account many factors when putting together panels and may not be able to use the services of all qualified individuals who submit. If an individual is offered a position on a panel but is unable to participate because of scheduling or conflict of interest, ACV will continue to consider them for future panels. Panel Interest Forms will be saved and reviewed periodically for up to three years from the submission date.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact Naomi Strom-Avila or (253) 591-5191.