About the Creative Sector Flex Fund
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) introduced the Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) in 2023-2024. The CSFF is designed to address the changing needs of dynamic PA arts organizations with average annual revenue between $10,000 – $200,000. The guidelines for the 2025-2026 grant cycle are anticipated to be released Summer 2025.
This grant program incorporates the current needs of the field by offering grantees the flexibility to use $5,000 grants in ways that ensure the most significant impact for their organizations and communities.
Eligible uses of funds are flexible, including the support of applicants’ administrative, programmatic, and project-related expenses.
Please note: The PCA has retired Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts’ (PPA) Entry to Program Stream, and Program Stream grant programs. The decision to retire these programs resulted from the PCA’s consideration of conversations, feedback, observations, insights, research, and data review with state and industry leaders, panelists, grantees, and community members. The goal of this retirement is to enable the PCA to provide a funding avenue that better aligns with industry trends and the goals of our strategic plan.
Creative Sector Flex Fund Eligibility Requirements
Arts organizations and programs in Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, and Monroe counties (see PCA Partners Regional Map with contact info) interested in applying for the Creative Sector Flex Fund must meet the following criteria:
- Be a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation, or a unit of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, townships, and municipal authorities).
Please Note: Pre-K -12 public, private and parochial schools including all charter schools are NOT eligible for the Creative Sector Flex Fund. K-12 schools should contact our Region’s PA Council on the Arts, Arts in Education Partner, ArtsQuest, to inquire about opportunities.
- Be located in Pennsylvania except for nonprofit, tax-exempt corporations acting as a fiscal sponsor on behalf of an unincorporated group or not-for-profit limited liability company (LLC) that is located in Pennsylvania.
- Be registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations except for local governments and fiscal sponsors.
- Have a history of at least TWO years of consistent arts programming in Pennsylvania and have an annual average arts revenue of $10,000 to $200,000.
Please Note: The PCA determines revenue size by a two-year average of Total Revenue of an organization’s Form 990-Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service. Non-arts organizations and/or arts organizations whose 990 is postcard, must attach a board/committee approved arts-specific program financial statement for their most recently completed two fiscal years. The program financial statement must include program revenue, including contributed and earned income and income realized from investments, as applicable, and expenses. In-kind is not included.
If your organization is not eligible for the Creative Sector Flex Fund, please visit the PA Council on the Art’s Apply for a Grant page, for additional information on opportunities that may suit the needs of your organization.
How to Apply to the Creative Sector Flex Fund
Creative Sector Flex Fund applications will be accepted online through Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s grants portal, Foundant. Written applications will NOT be accepted.
• If you do not have an account with Foundant, please register by following the instructions on the Foundant homepage.
• If you are applying through a Fiscal Sponsor, please have your Fiscal Sponsor register for an account on Foundant. The Fiscal Sponsor must complete the application and submit it on behalf of the applicant.
If you need technical assistance with Foundant, please see LVCF’s Foundant Grants Portal page or email Mariska van Aalst: mariska@lvfoundation.org.
Key 2025 Application Dates TBA
Application Opens
Fiscal Feedback Due Date
Application Submission Date
Notifications of grant award status
GUIDELINES FOR PA COUNCIL ON THE ARTS CREATIVE SECTOR FLEX FUND | PDF
Important Documents for 2023-24 Grantees
Income Expenses – Creative Sector Flex Fund Final Report 2024 | PDF
LVCF PENNSYLVANIA PARTNERS IN THE ARTS GRANT AWARD AGREEMENT 2023-24 | PDF
Important Documents for 2024-2025 Grantees
LVCF PENNSYLVANIA PARTNERS IN THE ARTS GRANT AWARD AGREEMENT 2024-25 | PDF
Guide for Grantees | Promoting your Creative Flex Fund Grant on Social Media (PDF and JPG download)
For questions regarding Creative Sector Flex Fund grants, please contact Mariska van Aalst, Arts@lvcfoundation.org
ASK Marika | Learn more about the Community Foundation’s Partners in the Arts (PPA) grant opportunities
Mariska van Aalst
Program Officer, Community Impact & Policy
840 Hamilton Street, Suite 310
Allentown, PA 18101
610 351-5353, Ext. 17
Arts@lvcfoundation.org | mariska@lvcfoundation.org