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Organizational Support Program (OSP)

The Organizational Support Program (OSP) provides general operating support for eligible nonprofit arts and cultural organizations based in the City of San Diego.

OSP is organized into three pathways that recognize differences in organizational stage, needs, and role. The pathways are not a ranking of artistic quality, community importance, organizational worth, or public benefit. Size provides context. It does not determine value.

OSP asks: What organizational context and role best describes your organization right now?

Apply Here: https://sandiegoarts.fluxx.io/

Pathways of the Organizatonal Support Program
OSP PathwayFocusSupport may emphasizeFY28 Anticipated Award Range
Strengthening Emerging & Growing OrganizationsBuilding and strengthening organizational foundations.Systems, capacity, governance, staffing, technical assistance, peer learning, planning, and access to organizational resources.$20,000 to $100,000
Organizational Growth & SustainabilitySustaining established operations and preparing for continued development.Organizational health, planning, staffing, revenue, audiences, systems, sustainability, and adaptability.$30,000 to $200,000
Global Creative City PartnersAdvancing San Diego as a cultural destination with tourism, broader market, global, or transborder reach.Tourism partnerships, destination identity, visibility, exchange, City initiatives, resource sharing, and local creative workforce investment.$200,000 to $300,000

Final awards remain subject to the City budget and appropriation process, the published allocation method, pathway parameters, and applicable funding guardrails.

General OSP eligibility

  • The organization holds eligible federal tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) at the time of application.
  • The organization can demonstrate legal existence and active California registration, where applicable.
  • The organization demonstrates a substantial and ongoing presence in the City and sustained engagement in the development, production, presentation, preservation, service, support, or advancement of arts, culture, and creative activity.
  • The organization provides meaningful public benefit through accessible arts, cultural, or creative activity.
  • The organization’s primary administrative or operating address is in the City of San Diego and can be verified through an approved proof of address document.
  • The organization’s work aligns with one or more purposes of Transient Occupancy Tax funding under Council Policy 100 03.

Important FY28 changes: There is no two year operating history requirement. OSP uses one complete application, a published 100 point evaluation system, no dollar for dollar match, and one advance payment equal to 100 percent of the annual award after agreement execution and required payment documents are complete. Where applicable, OSP agreements may provide up to three years of continuity through annual renewal options.


Full OSP
Guidelines


Where Do I Fit?
Funding Pathway Finder


Application
Support