About CDF / Registration

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) enables qualifying cultural organizations to apply for grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs. The agency encourages participation in the process by the widest possible representation of the City's diverse cultural constituency. Currently, we receive applications from nearly 1,100 organizations and administer grants to more than 900 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations representing a wide range of disciplines and providing cultural experiences for the City's residents and visitors.

The FY21 CDF application cycle closed on February 18, 2020, The FY22 application cycle will be for activities taking place between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. The FY22 application will be available in early 2021. Be sure to read the CDF Guidelines to determine eligibility. Any arts or cultural organization interested in applying for a Fiscal 2022 grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs must be:

• Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located and operating in any of the five boroughs of New York City;
• Incorporated as a nonprofit in New York State as of your organization's Fiscal 2018, and compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements for nonprofit organizations, including Charities Bureau filings;
  • Organizations whose incorporation dates are in their FY19 or FY20 will not be eligible to apply during this cycle. In this case, organizations must wait until they have a two-year history to apply.
• In possession of a Federal Employee Identification Number (EIN) unique to the organization;
• Currently certified tax exempt under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c)(3). Incorporated nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status may apply using a fiscal conduit that is approved by DCLA;
• Able to demonstrate at least two years of cultural public service in NYC prior to applying for DCLA funding, as substantiated by the required financial documents and proof of programmatic activity for the organization's Fiscal 2019 and 2020.

CDF Panelist Nomination

We are now accepting panelist nominations for the upcoming FY21 Cultural Development Fund (CDF) panels. Running for 1 to 2 days from March through June of this year, the CDF panels will allow panelists the opportunity to take part in funding recommendations for CDF grants in Fiscal 2021.

The Program Services Unit seeks a diverse cohort that is representative of the broad cultural constituencies of the City of New York, particularly with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, age, and ability. Consider nominating yourself or a colleague to serve on our grant-making panels by filling out our FY21 CDF Panelist Nomination Form. Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis; however, to have your nomination considered for a spot on the FY21 CDF panels, please submit the Panelist Nomination Form as soon as possible.

Registration

If you are an eligible arts or cultural organization and have not already registered for a Cultural Affairs Account, please complete the registration process to access the CDF Application.

Please review the Registration Help Guide before beginning the registration process

REGISTER OR LOG IN TO AN ACCOUNT