Helen Frankenthaler Foundation

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L. Zhang (Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics) 

Limiting Language
Organizations may only submit one application per grant cycle. Select the grant category that best aligns to your project.

Grant Categories

1. Catalyst grants (up to $20,000) support stand-alone projects with a quick turnaround and are perfect for small spaces or first actions at a site or institution with a total annual operating budget equal to or below $500,000. Catalyst grants are eligible for an additional award of up to five (5) hours of in-project coaching. Projects must begin June 1–August 31, 2026 and be completed by December 31, 2026, because they are “shovel ready,” requiring no more planning or assessment, or a financial match.
2. Scoping grants (up to $25,000) support initial assessments typically performed by independent consultants to understand how to save energy. Scoping grants are designed to assist institutions that are in the initial stages of assessing and understanding their emissions footprint.  Projects must begin June 1–August 31, 2026 and be completed by December 31, 2027.
3. Technical Assistance grants (up to $50,000) support projects that have finished initial assessments, and need procurement and financing support for an identified efficiency project. This may include providing designs, specifications, or connections to energy services companies (ESCOs) for project support. These grants also support more complex studies or analysis required for pursuing major implementation projects. At the conclusion of a Technical Assistance grant, the applicant should be well enough informed to implement a project.  Projects must begin June 1–August 31, 2026 and be completed by December 31, 2027.
4. Implementation grants (up to $100,000) support ambitious, innovative, and transformative projects that directly address institutional climate impact. Implementation grants are highly competitive and involve multiple stakeholders, collaborators, and organization-wide buy-in. They can act as seed funding for large projects, and often lead to matches for capital campaigns. Preference is given to organizations moving to electric from fossil fuels. Projects must begin June 1–August 31, 2026 and be completed by December 31, 2028.

Eligibility 
Arts education, higher education, and the study of art 

• Art schools or departments/divisions within an accredited college, university, or other non-profit institution of higher education whose focus entails art or the study of art
• Artist residency programs
• Arts education center/community art center that can demonstrate a significant portion of their mission and programming relates to visual art/displays the art of their community
• Center for the study of art (art history, visual studies, curatorial studies, etc.)
• University museum, gallery, or arts-focused department