How Cultural Affairs Funding Works

What Is Changing in FY28

Putting Creative City into Practice

Beginning with the FY28 funding cycle, Cultural Affairs is modernizing the City of San Diego’s arts and culture funding programs to create a clearer, more predictable, responsive, and transparent system for applicants, panelists, the City, and the public.

The changes continue putting the Creative City Cultural Plan into practice through one of the City’s primary recurring investments in arts and culture.

Rather than asking every organization and project to fit into the same structure, the FY28 model recognizes the different roles that make a healthy creative ecosystem possible, from organizations strengthening their foundations, to established organizations working toward long term sustainability, to community rooted cultural activity, public celebrations, creative sector services, and organizations helping position San Diego as a global creative destination.

Our Approach: Different Needs, Not Different Value

San Diego’s arts and cultural organizations operate at many different scales and stages of development and serve the city in many different ways. The FY28 pathways are not a ranking of artistic quality, community importance, organizational worth, or public benefit.

Organizational size may help describe context, but size alone does not determine an organization’s value, pathway, or contribution to San Diego. The goal is to provide the right mix of funding, resources, services, and expectations for the context in which each organization or project is operating.

FY28 Updates

100 Point Evaluation System

A new 100 point scoring system replaces the current four point model. Published criteria make evaluation priorities easier for applicants and panelists to understand.

Clearer Funding Allocation Model

A public facing formula helps applicants understand how application results and other funding factors translate into award amounts.

Clearer Funding Pathways

OSP and CCSD each include three pathways so organizations and projects can be evaluated in a context that more closely reflects their work, needs, purpose, and role.

One Complete Application

A one part application replaces the current multi stage process while retaining the information needed for eligibility, evaluation, allocation, and responsible stewardship.

Cure Period Continues

Applicants continue to have an opportunity to correct eligible administrative or documentation issues before final eligibility determination.

No Match

FY28 OSP and CCSD do not require a dollar for dollar match.

100 Percent Upfront Payment

After agreement execution and required payment documents are complete, recipients receive one advance payment equal to 100 percent of the annual award.

Potential Multi-Year Continuity for OSP

Where applicable, OSP agreements may include up to two one year renewal options after FY28, for up to three years of continuity.

More Timely Accountability

Reporting, reconciliation, material changes, and other concerns can be addressed closer to when they occur, with clear expectations and proportionate support or corrective action.

More Tailored Support

Funding is one form of support. Depending on pathway and available resources, Cultural Affairs may also provide technical assistance, training, peer learning, professional development, mentorship, shared resources, partnerships, convenings, and referrals.