About Us

The mission of Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) is to provide leadership and service to advance the use of philanthropic resources on behalf of arts and culture. GIA is the only national association of private and public funders making grants to artists and arts organizations in America. GIA’s strength is in its diversity of members: private, family, community and corporate foundations, national, state and local governmental agencies, nonprofit national, regional and local service organizations. What they all have in common is a belief that America is a better place to live and our communities are stronger when the creativity of artists is prevalent in all aspects of society.

The goals of GIA include providing information, research, communication and convening opportunities. Additionally, GIA has a goal of public policy and advocacy, serving as a source to nationally disseminate information on why artists and arts organizations are valued tools for community economic, educational and cultural revitalization.

GIA offers a forum for discourse, whether in print, face-to-face, or online, that probes topics relevant to arts grantmakers and encourages relationship building and best practices. GIA’s solid history has created both a base and an appetite for more programming, including active interchange within philanthropy around arts, culture, inclusiveness, and creativity.

Looking for a grant? GIA is an organization that serves grantmakers, but does not give grants or have information of use to those seeking grants. Excellent sources of information for those seeking grants are the Foundation Center and FoundationSearch.

Looking for GIA history? Former Board member John Kreidler authored an excellent piece on early GIA history, From Neolithic Prehistory to the Classical Era, that was published in the Winter 2006 issue of GIA Reader.