SCAC operating support grant categories merged
One category for all arts orgs
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, February 26, 2026; 11:59 p.m. ET
The operating support grants of yore are no more, replaced as of last week by a single, all-encompassing grant for community-based arts providers.
Arts Industry Operating Support grants (AIOS), now open for FY27 funding, strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout South Carolina. They offer three years of support for the basic operations of arts organizations—from the emerging to the established—with primary missions involving these artistic functions: producing, service, presenting, and/or education.
In other words, the category serves the same purpose as the ones it replaces.
Some $6 million in operating support was granted by the SCAC in FY25; $5.8 million of that to General Operating Support, making it the SCAC’s largest grant category.
So, what’s new?
The Hub regrets to inform you that the change will bring you to tiers (groan).
Under the old system, General Operating Support grants served organizations with budgets of more than $75,000, while Operating Support for Small Organizations grants served organizations with expenses of less than that.
The AIOS grant does away with that distinction from the application side, replacing two applications with one. Funding amount eligibility will be determined by a new tiered system determined by total arts expenses reported on your organization’s most recent Form 990. The maximum award is $45,000 for organizations with $2 million or more in arts expenditures.
Current grantees
Current General Operating Support and Operating Support for Small Organization grantees have been split into three groups, to reapply once every three years.
New applicants
SCAC is not accepting new applicants to the FY27 AIOS grant. If you are not a current operating support grantee and are interested in learning more about funding opportunities, please complete this form: FY27 Operating Support applications.
Coaching call this week!
Current (FY26) operating support grantees from any of the three groups are strongly encouraged to attend a coaching call via Zoom THIS FRIDAY from 2-3:15 p.m. Visit the guidelines to register using the link in the “Applicant Coaching” section.