Your OSP Result: Strengthening Emerging & Growing Organizations

You are building the plane while flying it... and making art too!

This pathway supports arts and cultural organizations that are building or strengthening the organizational foundation needed to sustain their work.

Your artistic or community work may already be strong while things like staffing, governance, fundraising, financial systems, policies, administration, or infrastructure are still developing.

Important!

“Emerging” describes organizational development, not the artistic quality, value, or importance of its work. An organization may be newly formed or may have served its community for years while continuing to build the systems, staffing, resources, and infrastructure needed to sustain its work.  

Also read Organizational Growth & Sustainability if...

• Your core operations are already established.
• Your financial and administrative systems are functioning.
• Your biggest questions are now about sustainability, adaptation, planning, or what comes next.

Next Steps

• Review Strengthening Emerging & Growing Organizations
• Read the OSP Guidelines
• Compare OSP Pathways
• Request Application Support

Still unsure?

First, breathe easy. You are allowed to be between categories!

The FY28 pathways are meant to help us understand different kinds of work, not force every organization or project into a perfect little box.

Here is the simplest version:

For OSP, ask "What does our organization need right now, and what role does it play?"

For CCSD, Ask "What is the main thing this project is designed to accomplish?"

Choose the answer that is most true, then read the pathway you land on.

If another pathway also sounds close, read that one too.

And if you are still unsure, ask us!

Cultural Affairs may also work with applicants to move an application when another pathway is a better fit. A good faith category choice will not, by itself, negatively affect eligibility or score.

Final Friendly Reminder

This quiz is meant to help you get oriented and make FY28 a little easier to navigate.

It is not an official City determination of eligibility, category placement, award amount, or funding.

Your quiz result is your starting point, not a stamp of approval

Read the applicable guidelines, ask questions when you have them, and choose the pathway that most honestly reflects the work you are asking the City to support.