Arts & History Annual Grant Program

A: Follow the instructions on this link from AmpliFund (Arts & History staff cannot access your account information). The link also provides answers to many common AmpliFund questions.

A: For this FY2026 grant cycle, we plan to have two rounds only for projects that occur between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.

The FY2026 Arts & History Grant funding, totaling $150,000, will be distributed through two opportunities:

• Annual Arts & History Grant: Opens May 1 – Closes June 16, 2025, for awards between $1,000 and $5,000 totaling $120,000. This funding supports people in established and emerging cultural fields with projects designed to benefit Boise residents.
• America 250 Grant: Opens in January 2026 (dates TBA) for awards between $1,000 and $5,000, totaling $30,000. This funding supports people in established and emerging cultural fields with projects designed to benefit Boise residents and to support the City of Boise’s commemoration and celebration of America’s 250^th

A:  The Arts & History website translates into many different languages (right click or see the bottom right corner). Contact artsandhistory@cityofboise.org if you need additional services, such as for translation or accessibility challenges. Please allow at least 72 hours to process your request.

A: We will have two in-person Grant Information Sessions and one virtual session via ZOOM.

• May 5, 2025, 11 a.m.– 12 p.m. Online via ZOOM. Register here.

• May 13, 2025, 12 – 1 p.m. Idaho Film Society (1212 W Bannock St). Learn More.

• May 14, 2025, 6 – 7 p.m. Library! at Cole & Ustick (7557 W Ustick Rd). Learn More. 

View the Arts & History Event Calendar.

A recording will be available for later viewing. Please read through the Grant Guidelines and the Grant Criteria before attending or watching the training.  

A: No. All projects with a venue must be within Boise City Limits. This requirement is because those who live within these boundaries provide the funds for the Arts & History Grant Program.

A: The program offers awards between $1,000 and $5,000 (in $500 increments).

Individuals and organizations whose projects benefit people living within Boise city limits are eligible to apply for funding each year without restriction. 

A: Covid-19 has made planning more challenging than ever. We are hopeful that it will have less of an impact this year, but it is difficult to predict for certainty. For now, check these resources as you work through your project ideas:

• City of Boise's Covid-19 Information
• City of Boise Special Events

We also advise having a backup plan in case new Covid-19 related restrictions develop. Should conditions change that affect an approved grant proposal, we will work with you to figure out options.

A: The Grant Review team consists of (1) those approved through our Call for Grant Reviewers; (2) Arts & History Commission and Advisory Team members; (3) occasionally, those appointed who have expertise in a certain field. All grant reviewers are required to report and recuse themselves for review of a particular grant if they have a conflict of interest (a financial or personal relationship that could potentially bias their review).

A: You will be notified by email from the address on your application in September 2025.

A: You can request a draft review from Grants & Outreach Manager, Makenzi Dunstan, before you submit the grant, as long as it is at least a week before the grants are due. You can also book a meeting with Makenzi here. 

When you are notified of your award status, you will receive general feedback. To request more detailed feedback, please contact Makenzi Dunstan.

A: Please contact Makenzi Dunstan, Grants & Outreach Manager, at mdunstan@cityofboise.org.