As October approaches and we enter the last quarter of the year, we start thinking about the upcoming holidays, the goals we’d still like to accomplish to finish the year strong, and what lies ahead for the New Year.
It’s a time of celebration, joy, and reflection.
But it’s also a time to look ahead: consider the ideas we want to bring to life, the projects we want to pursue, and the resources that can help us turn those creative visions into reality.
➡️ This newsletter currently features (111) grants, fellowships, residencies, and other funding opportunities for U.S.-based creatives totaling approximately $1,021,550.
We will continue digging and add more awards weekly, so stay tuned!
➡️ Click here for our September 2026 Grants Roundup!
Updated October 12, 2026.
How To Find Grants via Our Newsletter
New here? Our grants list is chronologically ordered from October 1st to October 31st.
To help you save time, we also indicate who the grants are for in award titles, and we’ve included a numbered index below summarizing featured opportunities.
We will continuously share more September grants as we find them.
Artificial Intelligence: #80
Artists: #6 (Featured; Climate-focused), #7 (Featured; Brooklyn; Women), 1 (Maine), 2, 7 (Minnesota), 10 (Minnesota), 11, 20, 24 (Chicago; BIPOC), 26 (North Carolina), 28, 36, 38 (Kentucky), 43 (North Carolina), 45 (New England), 46 (Bay Area), 48 (Austin), 49 (Greater Boston), 52 (Illinois), 57 (Delaware), 58, 62, 66 (New York City), 72 (Minnesota), 73 (Minnesota), 74 (Minnesota), 75 (Minnesota), 78 (Bainbridge Island, Washington), 82 (New York State), 86, 92 (Massachusetts), 96 (Minnesota), 99 (DMV)
Arts Administrators: #7 (Featured; Brooklyn; Women)
Authors/Writers: #8 (Georgia; Emerging), 25, 30 (Southern), 50 (Fiction; Early Career), 56 (Latinx), 64 (BIPOC; Early Career)
Circus Artists: #61 (BIPOC)
Community Enhancement/Leadership: #1 (Featured; New York City & Los Angeles), 10 (Featured; Indigenous), 12 (Minnesota), 18 (Minnesota), 22 (Philadelphia), 41 (Multnomah County, Oregon), 42 (Wichita), 47, 59 (Oregon), 69 (Women), 70 (Greater Louisville), 81 (LGBTQIA+), 85 (Salt Lake City), 95
Content Creators: #77
Creatives: #3 (Oregon), 25, 67 (Women), 87 (Minnesota), 91 (Seattle City), 96 (Minnesota)
Dancers: #5 (Featured), 89 (Chicago)
Designers: #65 (Black)
Educators: #99 (DMV)
Entrepreneurs/Small Businesses: #9 (Featured; Veterans), 6 (Spokane), 27, 34 (Philadelphia), 37 (Early Stage; Female), 44 (Veterans), 49 (Greater Boston), 94, 97 (Black Owned)
Filmmakers: #3 (Featured), 4 (Featured; Nonfiction), 14, 19, 35, 55 (North Carolina), 71 (Emerging)
Gender Justice Organizations: #29
Humanities: #59 (Oregon)
Journalists: #4 (Black Women), 9, 17, 40 (Experienced), 84, 87
Musicians: #15 (Transgender), 16 (Orchestral)
Music Production: #12 (Featured), 76 (Mid-Career)
Newsrooms: #90
Nonprofits: #8 (Featured; Vermont), 31, 38 (Santa Clara County), 46 (Bay Area), 55 (California), 68 (Cultural)
Performing Artists: #21, 25
Photographers: #13
Podcasters: #53
Publishers: #23
Researchers: #20
Restaurants: #2 (Featured)
Scholarships: #11(Featured; College Students; Healthcare) 33 (Law Students)
Sculptors: #79
Startups: #63 (Texas)
Storytellers: #32, 77
Visual Artists: #5 (Houston; Women), 39 (Kentucky), 51 (Washington State), 58 (Oklahoma), 60 (Oklahoma), 83 (King County), 88 (Kansas City, Missouri), 93 (Queens, New York)
Volunteers: #98
[FEATURED GRANTS]
1. One More Hour Grant - For Creating Community Connection in New York City & Los Angeles
You’ve built something special — a community people keep showing up for. The book club where people come for more than just the book. The philosophy group that makes arguing an art form. A comic book crew, chess club, lace-making group, queer plant parent posse. Now you could use some resources. You’re in the right place. One More Hour funds the practical stuff—space, equipment, the little costs that add up—so your group can keep going and growing.
This opportunity is for established groups that meet regularly, are free or low-cost to participate in, and focus on creating in-person connection opportunities for Gen Z.
Average grant amounts range between $5,000 and $25,000. These grants are general operating grants. Eligible Cities: NYC & Los Angeles.
Deadline: October 1, 2026
2. [NEW] The Toast Changemakers Program - For U.S. Restaurants
This opportunity celebrates U.S. restaurants making a difference in the fight against hunger. They bring the same relentless work ethic that gets them through a Friday rush to solving problems in their own communities. When they spot a gap — a shuttered soup kitchen, a family running short, an underfunded school program — they don't look away. They turn on the burners. This industry was built to feed and nourish people. And restaurants have shown up time and again to feed not only their customers, but community members in need. 15 U.S. restaurants will each get $10,000 to support their community impact efforts. Awards will go to restaurants with a track record of addressing food insecurity, with plans for more.
Deadline: October 1, 2026
3. [NEW] newportFILM’s Cinematography Lab - For Image-Centered Filmmakers
This opportunity offers creative support and mentorship to early- to mid-career, image-centered filmmakers currently working on a short- or feature-length documentary film. Accepted fellows will share their work in progress for feedback from peers and mentors and will have valuable time to reflect on their process, craft, and the aesthetic and industry issues facing DPs today.
Critically acclaimed filmmakers will lead workshops and discussions and serve as mentors and advisors throughout this enriching three-day retreat. Applications are open to early- to mid-career DPs and image-centered filmmakers nationwide who shoot their own work. Filmmakers based in New England are especially encouraged to apply. newportFILM provides all meals and lodging. Fellows receive a $500 travel stipend.
Deadline: October 2, 2026
4. [NEW] The Black Public Media 2026 Open Call - For Nonfiction Filmmakers
Filmmakers may submit feature-length nonfiction projects in a range of formats, styles, subject matter, and genres. BPM is particularly interested in stories that explore critical issues, promote cultural understanding, and engage national audiences and/or local communities. All projects — which may be in pre-production, production, or early post-production — must be suitable for public media distribution. Up to five (5) projects will receive $20,000 in production funding and an invitation to pitch at BPM’s 10th PitchBLACK in June 2027.
Deadline: October 1, 2026
5. [NEW] Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants
This program provides one-time grants of up to $3,000 to professional dancers facing dire financial emergencies due to the loss or lack of recent/current live performance work because of circumstances outside of their control.
“Dire financial emergencies“ include the lack or imminent endangerment of essentials such as housing, medicine/healthcare, utilities, and food. This grant program aims to give dancers greater stability to move forward by covering up to three months of essential expenses, recognizing the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dance sector, as well as other recent career interruptions, including illness or injury.
Deadline: October 6, 2026
6. The Earth Partner Prize 2026 - For Climate-Focused Artists
This open call sparks conversations about the urgent need for ecological justice. It is designed for artists aged 14-30 to encourage youth engagement leading up to COP in November and ensure younger generations' voices are heard.
Art Partner invites artists and creatives of all nationalities, races, genders, and faiths, aged 14-30, to submit work that responds to and sparks conversations around the urgent need for climate action. The Earth Partner Prize amplifies the call to environmental action by giving the next generation of concerned creatives a platform to be seen and heard. It especially highlights members of the global majority, who are often underrepresented, and their unique views on the perils of climate change and its social roots and consequences. Eight finalists will be awarded cash prizes of $10k, $5k, or $2k.
Deadline: October 7, 2026
7. [NEW] The Charlene Victor & Ella J. Weiss Cultural Entrepreneur Fund - For Brooklyn’s Emerging & Mid-Career Women Artists & Arts Administrators
This opportunity supports the professional development of Brooklyn’s emerging and mid-career women artists and arts administrators. The annual grant will provide awardees with the support they need to combine their creative passions with the entrepreneurial skills to sustain creative careers. Each year, recipients receive a $3,500 award.
Deadline: October 11, 2026
8. Creative Aging Grants - For Vermont Nonprofits
This opportunity supports organizations in providing arts-based activities that engage older adults in the creative process and intentional social engagement. Organizations may apply for up to $6,000 to support a set of creative activities designed for older adults aged 60+ led by experienced teaching artists. Strong proposals promote community partnerships to promote access and participation. Vermont nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, state government agencies, counties, and municipalities are eligible to apply. This includes arts organizations, senior centers, and Area Agencies on Aging.
Deadline: October 12, 2026
9. [NEW] The Kenneth B and Stephen L. Tadlock Veteran Business Grant
A business grant + accelerator combined into one — built for U.S. military veterans running employer-based small businesses. This $1,000 grant offers flexible funding you can put toward what matters most—equipment, operations, staffing, or growth. Applicants must be a U.S. military veteran or military spouse; a CEO, President, or Business Owner; have an active U.S.-based business with annual revenue not exceeding $5M; have 2 to 100 employees; and have at least 1 year in business.
Deadline: October 15, 2026
10. The Community Action Fund (CAF) - For Indigenous Frontline Organizations, Groups & Individuals
This grant supports non-violent direct actions and organizing efforts that are often urgent and time-sensitive. CAF prioritizes frontline, grassroots, and community-based efforts that defend Indigenous peoples' rights, communities, and Nations. Up to $15,000 in funding will be awarded.
Deadline: October 16, 2026
11. [NEW] The Colgate-Palmolive Scholars Program Scholarship - For College Students in Healthcare
This program provides financial support and mentorship to students pursuing careers in the growing healthcare industry. It aims to build a talent pool for the healthcare industry while providing a clear pathway for individuals who want to thrive in it. Nine (9) scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded.
The scholarship covers extra costs outside of tuition and may include assistance for needs such as educational conferences, instructional programs related to STEM or research projects, exam application fees or accreditation coursework, and textbooks. Needs that are ongoing (e.g., utility bills, food costs) or related to medical care are NOT covered by this fund. This scholarship is not to fund tuition. The intention is to provide access to educational opportunities beyond tuition.
Deadline: October 16, 2026
12. We Are Moving The Needle’s Early-Career MicroGrants - For Music Producers, Engineers & Songwriters
These MicroGrants are designed as a flexible fund for rising seniors and creators with 0-5 years of experience, supporting smooth transitions into the workforce. Grants will range from $500 to $1,000, providing immediate assistance that can turn the impossible into the possible.
Deadline: October 23, 2026
Thank you for previewing our monthly Grants For Creators newsletter.
This is as far as free subscribers go.
We invest 20+ hours a week researching and curating the most relevant funding opportunities for U.S. creators and small business owners, all in one place. Your paid subscription supports our small, dedicated team working behind the scenes every day to keep this resource up to date with the latest finds. Thank you for supporting our work.