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 across the City's diverse cultural constituency. We receive applications from over 1,100 organizations and administer grants to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations representing a wide range of disciplines and providing cultural experiences for the City's residents and visitors.

The FY22 CDF application cycle will be for activities taking place between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.

The FY22 Annual Application has closed. The deadline for the application was Monday, April 12, 2021 at 5:00PM (EST). Arts or cultural organizations renewing a Fiscal 2021 CDF grant for a Fiscal 2022 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 2019, and compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements for nonprofit organizations, including Charities Bureau filings;
  • Organizations whose incorporation dates are in their FY20 or FY21 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 2020 and 2021.
• Fiscal 2021 cultural Development Fund grantee.

CDF Panel Review

As part of the CDF process, panels comprised of individuals from arts and cultural fields evaluate applications and provide recommendations for grants. The Programs Services Unit seeks a diverse cohort that is representative of the broad cultural consistencies of New York City with regards to race, ethnicity, gender, age, and ability.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put the panel process on hold for the time being. Information about panelist nomination and the possibility of serving on future panels will be published when available.

Cultural Affairs Account

Please make sure your organization’s Cultural Affairs Account is up to date including contact information.

Please review the Registration Help Guide for further information.

If you have any questions about accessing materials regarding the CDF application, you can contact your program specialist directly via email or email cdfhelpdesk@culture.nyc.gov if you do not yet have an assigned specialist. Please contact DCLA's Disability Service Facilitator at scobb@culture.nyc.gov for Word versions of any resource document.

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