Arts, Culture and Community Festivals (ACCF) City Council Allocations

Through discretionary Arts, Culture, and Community Festivals (ACCF) funds derived from Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funds, City Council Offices can award nonprofit organizations funding to promote local arts and culture. ACCF's City Council allocations are governed by Council Policy 100-06 and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is governed by Council Policy 100-03.

Funds awarded to organizations are awarded at the discretion of each Council Office. ACCF funding may be awarded as a supplemental allocation for nonprofits that have already received an OSP or CCSD award from the Cultural Affairs Department for FY27. Funding may also be awarded to nonprofits for a new project that has not previously received OSP or CCSD support. ACCF funding is solely reimbursement‑based.

FY27 ACCF

We are pleased to share that $450,000 has been allocated for the FY27 ACCF City Council Funding Program. To learn more, please attend an Info Session where program details, application requirements, and a Q&A will be offered for both the CPPS and ACCF Funding Programs.

The Fiscal Year 2027 ACCF Application will be open from July 7 to August 7, 2026. 

Who can apply?

Nonprofit organizations with a legally tax-exempt status that represent the goals of Arts, Culture, and Community Festivals funding as identified in Council Policy 100-23. Organizations and projects should align with the following purposes:

• Provide access to excellence in culture and the arts for residents and visitors of San Diego.
• Enrich the lives of the people of San Diego and build healthy, vital neighborhoods.

Did your organization apply for or receive TOT funding?

Organizations that have applied for or received a FY27 TOT award are not eligible for ACCF City Council funding, except for Creative Communities San Diego (CCSD) and Organizational Support Program (OSP) award recipients. TOT applicants and recipients are still eligible for Community Projects, Programs & Services (CPPS) funding.

Has your organization been awarded a FY27 CCSD or OSP award?

Organizations that received a FY27 CCSD or OSP grant are still eligible for ACCF City Council allocations by submitting the Abbreviated Application. This option allows organizations to request additional funding that will be added as an amendment to their FY27 CCSD or OSP award.

Did your organization apply for FY27 CPPS?

Organizations may receive both CPPS and ACCF awards in the same fiscal year because CPPS is not funded by TOT. Please note that the CPPS program provides an upfront grant, while ACCF funding is solely reimbursement‑based.

FY27 ACCF Application

Organizations may submit either the abbreviated application or the full application. The abbreviated application is for organizations that have been awarded a CCSD or OSP grant for Fiscal Year 2027. This option requests additional funds that, if approved by a Council Office, will be added to the organization’s existing CCSD or OSP agreement. These added funds must be used for the same purposes already outlined in that agreement. Once confirmed by Council Administration, the amendment is processed by the Cultural Affairs Department.

Organizations that did not receive a CCSD or OSP award may submit the full application, which requests funding for a separate project that is not tied to any existing CCSD or OSP agreement.

Important Application Tip
We strongly recommend completing the application in one sitting. Although Seamless Docs allows users to create an account and save progress, many applicants experience technical issues with this feature. Council Administration cannot assist with password resets or accessing saved but unsubmitted applications.

Applications will only be accepted through the Seamless Docs platform and are due at midnight on August 7. Late submission will not be accepted.

1. Abbreviated Application (For FY27 CCSD & OSP Awardees)
   • Organizations that already received a CCSD or OSP award may submit the abbreviated application to request additional funds for the same project, program, or event funded under their CCSD/OSP agreement.
   • If awarded by a Council Office, the additional funds will be processed as an amendment to the existing CCSD/OSP agreement. 
   • No supplemental documents are required at the time of application submission.
   • Contract amendments are administered by the Cultural Affairs Department once confirmed by Council Administration.
2. Full Application (For Organizations Without a FY27 CCSD or OSP Award)
   • Organizations that did not receive a CCSD or OSP award may apply through the full application to request funding for a new and separate project.
   • Required documents at the time of application submission include:
     1. Proof of Nonprofit Status (IRS)
     2. Proof of good standing with the CA Secretary of State 
     3. Proof of good standing with the CA Attorney General
     4. IRS Form 990, 990EZ, or 990N
     5. Certification for a Drug Free Workplace
     6. EOC Workforce Report 
     7. IRS Form W‑9

Applicants must be in good standing with the CA Attorney General and CA Secretary of State at the time of submission. Please use the Supplemental Document Video Tutorial to access the required attachments for items 1–4. Note that meeting all qualifications does not guarantee funding.

Please use the ACCF Companion FAQ for Applicant and ACCF Overview PowerPoint before contacting the Council Administration Department with any questions. Due to the high volume of inquiries, responses will be provided via email only and may take 3–5 business days.

Questions regarding the funding priorities of a Councilmember should be directed to that office's ACCF Representatives as funding allocations are made solely at the discretion of their office.

FY27 Informational Sessions

Please join us at one of the four informational sessions hosted by the Council Administration department. Each session will include program details, application requirements, and a Q&A for both the CPPS and ACCF Funding Programs.

Online Meeting: Tuesday, July 7^th @ 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Join via Zoom

Online Meeting: Tuesday, August 4^th @ 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Join via Zoom

In-person Meeting:  Mira Mesa Library in the Community Room

Monday, July 13, 2026 @ 6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

In-person Meeting: Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library in the Multipurpose Room

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 @ 6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

FY27 Resources

FY27 ACCF Schedule

FY27 ACCF Overview PowerPoint

CPPS & ACCF Supplemental Document Tutorial Video

FY27 ACCF Companion FAQ for Applicants

Funding Allocations

• FY 2025 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2024 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2023 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2022 No ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2021 No ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2020 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2019 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2018 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2017 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2016 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2015 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2014 ACCF Funding Allocations
• FY 2013 ACCF Funding Allocations

Contact
For questions, please email ACCF@sandiego.gov.

FY27 CPPS & ACCF Council Office Representatives

Search for the Council District your organization is located in.