The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County connects our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, fosters lifelong learning, and advances tourism and economic development through the arts. As the primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural and history activities in the Cape Fear Region, the Arts Council, and the agencies it supports are known for the core values of excellence, accountability, transparency, collaboration, and innovation.
The Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County Inc acts as the primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural, and history activities in the Cape Fear Region. Its grantmaking centers on organizations and projects that support cultural life in Cumberland County, with repeated support for major institutions alongside smaller project-based and artist-centered awards. Recent grants show a strong local pattern: Cape Fear Regional Theatre received $314,441 in 2025 and $276,542 in 2024, while the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra received $135,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The council also supports place-based cultural assets and community-facing arts work, including Cool Spring Downtown District at $133,000 in 2025 and Cape Fear Botanical Gardens at $106,287 in 2025. Across its programs, the foundation funds general operating support, project support, arts education, public art, cultural heritage, and capacity building for arts organizations. The result is a grantmaker that combines institutional support with broader access for artists, schools, and local cultural groups within a clearly defined county-level footprint.
General operating support is a major part of the council’s work. Its C.O.RE. grants provide mature arts-focused nonprofit agencies in Cumberland County with awards beginning at $30,000, and the Mission Based Grant extends operating support to 501(c)(3) organizations whose services have artistic, cultural, or historical merit. Project-oriented support is also present through the Project Support Grants, which fund arts, history, and cultural or heritage programming with awards up to $15,000. The Grassroots Art Project Grant similarly backs arts-, culture-, or history-focused activities that expand artistic disciplines in the Cumberland County community. For artists, the Artist Support Grants offer $500 to $3,000 for professional and artistic development across visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music composition, choreography, and interdisciplinary arts.
The typical grant size centers on midrange awards, with a 25th percentile of $10,000, a median of $17,570, and a 75th percentile of $96,076. The council gives through multiple program types, including general operating support, project support, and artist support, and its recent grants show both recurring recipients and one-off awards. Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra appears in three consecutive years, and Cape Fear Botanical Gardens also appears across multiple years. Applications are accepted unsolicited across the active programs listed, including C.O.RE., Project Support, Rapid Response, Artist Support, and Mini Grant offerings. The organization operates as a local grantmaker rather than a broad national funder.
$1.2M
$4.5M
$3.2M
$2.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $96K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$96K
ROBERT C PINSON
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Grantmaking is concentrated in Cumberland County, with 100% of grants going to recipients in North Carolina. Fayetteville is the main recipient city in the recent grants list, including Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Cool Spring Downtown District, and Cumberland Choral Arts. The council also funds county-based organizations such as Cultural and Heritage Alliance and Crossroads Outreach Alternative Program Ministries. In the active program list, eligible geography is repeatedly limited to Cumberland County, with some artist support extending to Hoke and Robeson counties.
The Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County Inc supports arts organizations, cultural institutions, artists, and the general public through arts programming. Its listed focus areas include visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music, dance, film/video, arts education, public art, cultural heritage/history, and capacity building for arts organizations.
Yes. Several active programs are built around operating support, including C.O.RE. Grants for mature arts-focused nonprofit agencies, C.O.RE. Grant for major cultural arts, science, or history-based agencies, and the Mission Based Grant for 501(c)(3) organizations with artistic, cultural, or historical merit.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $17,570 at the median, and $96,076 at the 75th percentile. The active programs also include smaller artist awards from $500 to $3,000 and project grants up to $15,000.
This is a highly local funder. The geographic scope of giving is local, and 100% of grants go to recipients in North Carolina. The active program list is centered on Cumberland County, with some artist support also reaching Hoke County and Robeson County.
Yes. The active program descriptions say unsolicited applications are accepted for C.O.RE. Grants, Project Support Grants, Rapid Response Funding, Artists In Schools, Mission Based Grant, Artist Support Grants, Grassroots Art Project Grant, C.O.RE. Grant, Mini Grant Program, and Creative Impact Cohort.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to programs and activities that support arts, culture, or history-focused content in Cumberland County.
Deadline: Grant Submission Deadline: Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 5:00 PM. Notification by May 31, 2026.
Who can apply: Designed to support Cumberland County cultural arts nonprofit agencies.
Deadline: Funds will be disbursed each month in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Who can apply: Arts-focused nonprofit agencies in Cumberland County with proven programming and organizational maturity; organizations that have reached size and sustainability to deliver annual cultural programming and educational services.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $314,441 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| VARIOUS | — | $207,310 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| FAYETTEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $135,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| COOL SPRING DOWNTOWN DISTRICT | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $133,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDENS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $106,287 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| SWEET TEA SHAKESPEARE | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $84,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| GILBERT THEATER | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $42,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CULTURAL AND HERITAGE ALLIANCE | — | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CUMBERLAND CHORAL ARTS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $17,570 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CROSSROADS OUTREACH ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM MINISTRIES | — | $16,200 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $16,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HITORICAL COMPLEX | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY | — | $14,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| GROUNDSWELL PICTURES | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $10,800 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| COMMUNITY CONCERTS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR STUDIOS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTSSUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| THE RICK HERREMA FOUNDATION INC | — | $8,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE (P&R) | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $8,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| SERVICESOURCE | — | $8,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY | — | $7,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| VARIOUS | — | $493,125 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $276,542 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| FAYETTEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $135,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDENS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $100,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| GILBERT THEATER | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $36,200 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| ELLINGTON WHITE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $35,550 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| SWEET TEA SHAKESPEARE | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $35,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| COMMUNITY CONCERTS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $22,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HITORICAL COMPLEX | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $16,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CUMBERLAND CHORAL ARTS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $14,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR STUDIOS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $12,480 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTSSUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| GROUNDSWELL PICTURES | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $11,700 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $8,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE (P&R) | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $8,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $300,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| FAYETTEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $135,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDENS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $100,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| MINI GRANTS | — | $96,076 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| VARIOUS | — | $62,468 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| GILBERT THEATER | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $30,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| SWEET TEA SHAKESPEARE | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $26,950 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| COMMUNITY CONCERTS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $20,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR STUDIOS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $11,675 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTSSUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HITORICAL COMPLEX | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $9,350 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $9,250 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CUMBERLAND CHORAL ARTS | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $9,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE (P&R) | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $8,300 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| ELLINGTON WHITE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $6,900 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
| GROUNDSWELL PICTURES | FAYETTEVILLE, NC | $6,400 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF THE ARTS |
CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE
$314,441SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
VARIOUS
$207,310SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
COOL SPRING DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
$133,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
SWEET TEA SHAKESPEARE
$84,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
GILBERT THEATER
$42,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE ALLIANCE
$20,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CUMBERLAND CHORAL ARTS
$17,570SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CROSSROADS OUTREACH ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM MINISTRIES
$16,200SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION
$16,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HITORICAL COMPLEX
$15,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
$14,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
GROUNDSWELL PICTURES
$10,800SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
COMMUNITY CONCERTS
$10,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CAPE FEAR STUDIOS
$10,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTSSUPPORT OF THE ARTS
THE RICK HERREMA FOUNDATION INC
$8,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE (P&R)
$8,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
SERVICESOURCE
$8,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
$7,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
VARIOUS
$493,125SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE
$276,542SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
GILBERT THEATER
$36,200SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
ELLINGTON WHITE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP
$35,550SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
SWEET TEA SHAKESPEARE
$35,500SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
COMMUNITY CONCERTS
$22,500SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HITORICAL COMPLEX
$16,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CUMBERLAND CHORAL ARTS
$14,500SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CAPE FEAR STUDIOS
$12,480SUPPORT OF THE ARTSSUPPORT OF THE ARTS
GROUNDSWELL PICTURES
$11,700SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION
$8,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE (P&R)
$8,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE
$300,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
MINI GRANTS
$96,076SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
VARIOUS
$62,468SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
GILBERT THEATER
$30,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
SWEET TEA SHAKESPEARE
$26,950SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
COMMUNITY CONCERTS
$20,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CAPE FEAR STUDIOS
$11,675SUPPORT OF THE ARTSSUPPORT OF THE ARTS
MUSEUM OF THE CAPE FEAR HITORICAL COMPLEX
$9,350SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION
$9,250SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CUMBERLAND CHORAL ARTS
$9,000SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE (P&R)
$8,300SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
ELLINGTON WHITE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP
$6,900SUPPORT OF THE ARTS
GROUNDSWELL PICTURES
$6,400SUPPORT OF THE ARTS