Call For FY26 CDF Panelists

The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs’ Cultural Development Fund (CDF) is the city’s competitive, peer-evaluated grant process that supports a broad, multidisciplinary group of diverse non-profit organizations for their cultural services to city residents and is managed by the agency’s Programs Service Unit. Annually, the CDF receives over 1,000 applications for funding.

DCLA is seeking panelists with a broad range of expertise within the cultural workforce including artists, teaching artists, board members, executive leaders, education staff, and marketing and community engagement professionals. Panel service includes independent review and scoring for approximately 20 applications, followed by participation in a secondary review with other panelists in a single-day virtual panel held from summer to fall of 2025. This is a paid opportunity, with a stipend of $480 for participation. DCLA is committed to recruiting panelists who reflect the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of NYC residents.

Requirements

• Be either (a) a nonprofit arts or cultural organization, or (b) a nonprofit organization that has an arts or culture component in its broader mission.
• Demonstrate successful delivery of arts and cultural services in New York City for the last two consecutive years.
• Be based in New York City and able to demonstrate administrative and programmatic operations within any of the five boroughs of New York City. Your administrative address is primarily determined by the address listed on your IRS 990 for the fiscal year ending in 2023, with the organization’s 501©(3) letter, and other publicly available information also taken into consideration.
• Possess a unique Federal Employee Identification Number (EIN).
• Be certified as tax exempt under Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501©(3); or be an incorporated nonprofit that uses a DCLA pre-approved, New York State incorporated tax-exempt fiscal sponsor. Only nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply, regardless of whether they use a fiscal sponsor. Limited Liability Companies, Benefit corporations, Limited Partnerships, S corporations, individual artists, and unincorporated artist collectives are not eligible to apply.
• Be incorporated in New York State as a not-for-profit organization no later than the organization’s fiscal year 2023.

You may also take the eligibility quiz to find out if you qualify to apply.

Application Instructions

If you are interested in serving on a panel or in nominating someone else to serve, please fill out the Panelist Submission Form. Submissions will be considered on a rolling basis. Please note that DCLA considers a variety of factors when appointing each panel and may not be able to utilize the services of all qualified nominees this year.

The submission deadline is Thursday, May 8, 2025, 5PM ET, no exceptions.