APPLY FOR FUNDING
Fueling Creativity, Growing Community:
Culture Works Grants in Action
At Culture Works, we’re proud to raise and distribute grant funds that make a real difference in the Dayton community. Our approach to grantmaking is built on equity, transparency, and support, so every applicant feels guided throughout the process. By making applications easier to navigate, we help local artists and organizations strengthen their proposals, gain confidence, and grow professionally. In this way, the grant process becomes more than just funding—it becomes an ongoing cycle of support and encouragement for everyone involved.
APPLY FOR GRANTS FUNDED
BY CULTURE WORKS
APPLY FOR GRANTS FUNDED
BY MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Become a Panelist!
Culture Works is looking for community members to serve as grant panelists! You don’t need to be an artist or work in the arts—just bring your perspective and passion for Dayton’s creative future. As a panelist, you’ll review applications and provide feedback that helps local artists and organizations grow.
Panelist Responsibilities
- Application review
- Panelists are responsible for thoroughly reading and scoring applications. The scoring system includes both numerical and written feedback for the applicant. A scoring rubric is provided.
- Panelists are responsible for thoroughly reading and scoring applications. The scoring system includes both numerical and written feedback for the applicant. A scoring rubric is provided.
- Meetings
- Panelists are responsible for attending a few meetings. We meet once for an orientation, once to review the applications in a public panel, and a last time to privately discuss funding decisions.
The review process occurs over the course of one to two months, plenty of time to go over the assigned applications. Culture Works does its best to cap the number of applications to 15 per panelist.
Every year, Culture Works raises hundreds of thousands of dollars through support from our community, as well as statewide and national partners. These funds fuel the arts across eight counties—Butler, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren—supporting everything from large arts organizations to individual creators with grants for operations, projects, and professional development.
We believe the review process is more than decision-making—it’s about building connections between artists, arts groups, and the community. Your voice helps ensure the arts reflect the needs and hopes of the Dayton region.
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS