- Support for operations and/or organizational capacity to directly provide access to the arts to Minnesotans
- Facility improvements and/or equipment purchases (with some restrictions)
- Arts programming activities in Minnesota, whether a single event or a series
Flexible Support: The Basics
Have an idea for an arts project or proposal that fits the description above? First review a few basics with these frequently asked questions.
What is the required grantee orientation? (New for 2027!)
Starting with our 2027 grant cycle, all grantees are required to attend a virtual 30-minute presentation about their grant program. This will include important information about the Grant Agreement, the Legacy Amendment, and using Submittable to manage your grant.
If you receive a grant, you will be required to sign up for one session.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible organizations/groups must meet the following requirements:
- Maintain a primary address in one of the seven metro area counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington.
- Be a arts, cultural, or non-arts/non-cultural 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a community education unit of a school district, a public entity (such as a unit of state, local, or tribal government), or apply with a fiscal sponsor.
- Meet eligibility rules for annual expenses limits and leadership.
What if my group needs a fiscal sponsor?
If your group doesn’t have federally tax-exempt status, you can apply for Flexible Support with an eligible fiscal sponsor.
It is the group’s responsibility to research potential fiscal sponsors and secure the sponsorship. We strongly recommend reaching out to potential sponsors and reaching a sponsorship agreement before starting your Flexible Support application.
You can find out more about this process on our Fiscal Sponsorship page.
What are some examples of eligible funding requests?
For operations and/or organizational capacity, examples of eligible requests include: paying rent or utilities for a space, software subscriptions, website updates, salaries or benefits for staff, insurance.
For capital expenses, including facility improvements and/or equipment purchases, examples include: new chairs for theater audience members, specialized printing equipment, ADA accessibility improvements. Note: there are restrictions on capital expense eligibility.
For arts programming or the purchase of art supplies, examples include: theater production, series of music concerts, arts day for kids, paint and paintbrushes for arts day.
This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about expense eligibility, please reach out to flexiblesupport@mrac.org.
Important Dates for 2027
| Grant Round | Application Window Opens | Application Assistance Ends | Application Deadline |
| Round 1 | Now Passed | Now Passed | Now Passed |
| Round 2 | January 11, 2027 | February 5, 2027, 5 pm | February 5, 2027, 11:59 pm |
Grant Program Overview and Full Eligibility Requirements
We update our overviews every year, keep an eye out for this logo for rules or changes that are new for 2027!
To submit an application, you’ll need to be very familiar with the requirements for Flexible Support. Read through the Grant Program Overview and Application Instructions. View and download the version that works best for you!
Great for viewing on your phone or computer, or for printing a hard copy. This PDF opens in a new window.
Created for screen readers and other assistive technologies. Also a good choice if you like a standard, clickable table of contents. New rules or changes are flagged with text. This Word file downloads directly to your computer.
Apply on Submittable
Flexible Support Round 1 is now closed. Round 2 will open January 11, 2027.
Application Assistance
We provide the following resources to help you complete your application.
Pre-recorded Informational Webinar
Hosted by grant program staff, this webinar reviews the information in our Grant Program Overview and Application Instructions, available above. Staff go through each section step by step, including what happens after you submit your application. Helpful to use if you take in information better by listening or by seeing it laid out on slides!
Public Q&A Sessions
Dates and registration links for Round 2 Q&A sessions will be available January 11, 2027.
One-on-One Assistance
Application assistance for Flexible Support Round 2 will open on January 11, 2027. If you have a question about a current or past Flexible Support grant, email the team at flexiblesupport@mrac.org.
Instructional Guides
The following guides provide instructions on filling out different parts of the Flexible Support application.
Fiscal Sponsorship for MRAC Grants: Submittable Guide for Sponsors and Applicants
An overview of the process when using Submittable to apply for a grant with a fiscal sponsor at MRAC. You can also find out more on our Fiscal Sponsorship page. PDF opens in a new window.
Download the Fiscal Sponsorship Submittable Guide
Instructions: Filling Out Your Budget Plan Spreadsheets
A walk-through of Part 3: Budget Plan in your 2027 Flexible Support application. PDF opens in a new window.
Download the Budget Plan Instructions
Instructions: Filling Out Your Leadership Information Section
A walk-through of Part 1, Section 4: Leadership Information in your 2027 Flexible Support application. PDF opens in a new window.
Download the Leadership Information Instructions
Additional Planning and Rough Draft Resources
You can download and use the following resources to help you prepare and plan your application.
Application Scoring Guide for Reviewers
Reviewers use these criteria when they are scoring Flexible Support applications. PDF opens in a new window.
Application Questions and Explanations
This document presents all the parts, sections, and questions in MRAC’s 2027 Flexible Support grant, and describes the reasons behind many of the questions. The instructions and explanations are also on Submittable. This is not the Flexible Support application. You cannot upload this document to Submittable and MRAC staff will not accept it via email. PDF opens in a new window.
Download the Application Questions and Explanations Guide
Proposal Drafting Document
Use this document to work on rough drafts of your answers to the 2027 Flexible Support Proposal Description questions. You will have to copy and paste your answers into the application in Submittable. You cannot upload this document to Submittable and staff will not accept it via email. It is for your own personal use only. Word document downloads directly to your computer.
Download the Proposal Drafting Document
Budget Plan Drafting Sheet
Use this document to work on your estimated budget for your 2027 Flexible Support proposal. You will have to input your answers into the Budget Plan Spreadsheet in Submittable. You cannot upload this document to Submittable and staff will not accept it via email. It is for your own personal use only. Excel file downloads directly to your computer.