Arts and culture have long played a powerful role in healing, connection, and community building. For organizations working with military-connected populations, this impact can be life-changing. The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant offers a significant funding opportunity for nonprofits and public organizations that use the arts to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of military members, veterans, and their families who have experienced trauma.
This nationally recognized grant program is part of Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). It is administered in partnership with the Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA), alongside the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and other national partners. Together, these organizations are committed to strengthening military communities through meaningful, non-clinical arts engagement.
About the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant
The primary goal of the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant is to support arts-based projects that foster creativity, build social connection, strengthen resilience, and support reintegration into civilian life. These projects are designed specifically for military-connected individuals, including active-duty service members, veterans, caregivers, and families.
Rather than focusing on clinical therapy, Creative Forces emphasizes community-based and participatory arts programs. Funded projects can take place in healthcare settings, community spaces, cultural centers, or virtual environments, making the program flexible and accessible to diverse communities across the United States.
Applications for the current cycle are open now and will close on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Who Can Apply?
The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants are open to:
- Nonprofit organizations
- State, local, or tribal government entities
Eligible applicants must have at least three years of experience presenting or producing arts-based projects and/or programming for military communities.
Organizations that have successfully received funding in the past include:
- Arts nonprofits with missions centered on serving military populations
- Performing arts organizations (theatre, dance, music) expanding programming for military communities
- Military- and veteran-serving nonprofits integrating the arts into their services
- Municipal or regional arts centers designing specialized courses for military-connected audiences
- Community radio stations
- Universities with strong community engagement in arts, health, or military-focused programs
This wide eligibility reflects Creative Forces’ commitment to inclusivity and innovation across disciplines and communities.
Funding and Benefits
Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants are awarded in two tiers, based on project scope and organizational capacity:
- Advanced Projects: Matching grants of up to $25,000 for one-year projects
- Emerging Projects: Matching grants of up to $10,000 for one-year projects
Beyond financial support, grantees benefit from a robust learning and networking ecosystem. Awarded organizations gain:
- Opportunities to connect with peer organizations nationwide
- Access to cohort workshops and one-on-one consultations with experts in evaluation and data collection
- Invitations to an annual in-person convening with fellow grantees, subject matter experts, and Creative Forces stakeholders
These professional development components help organizations strengthen program impact, sustainability, and accountability.
Key Dates and Timeline
Applications Open: November 12, 2025
Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
Grant Awards Announced: Spring 2026
Public Announcement: Summer 2026
Project Start Date: On or after July 1, 2026
Organizations are encouraged to plan early, especially given the matching fund requirement.
Impact and Track Record
Since its launch, the Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program has demonstrated consistent and growing impact:
2025: 48 organizations funded, totaling over $886,000
2024: 41 organizations funded, totaling over $769,136
2023: 34 organizations funded, totaling over $760,000
2022: 26 organizations funded, totaling over $750,000
These funded projects span disciplines such as visual arts, music, dance, storytelling, traditional arts, and interdisciplinary community practices—each contributing to healing, connection, and resilience within military communities.
Why This Opportunity Matters
For arts organizations seeking to expand social impact, Creative Forces represents more than a grant—it is a national platform that recognizes the arts as a vital public health and community engagement tool. By supporting non-clinical, creative approaches to trauma-informed care, the program empowers organizations to serve military-connected populations with dignity, creativity, and cultural relevance.
How to Apply
Interested organizations can access full grant guidelines, eligibility details, and budget templates through the Mid-America Arts Alliance Creative Forces portal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review all materials carefully and subscribe to email updates for deadline reminders and future opportunities.
Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants stand as one of the most impactful funding opportunities in the arts and health space today—supporting organizations that believe art heals, connects, and transforms lives within military communities.
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