ACE PENSACOLA ANNOUNCES RETURN OF MINI OPERATING GRANTS AND FULL GENERAL OPERATING GRANTS FOR 2026-2027

Date: April 8, 2026

Letters of Intent for Mini Operating Grants Open on April 27, 2026

Eligibility Checklists for Full General Operating Grants Open May 28, 2026

Pensacola, Fla. (April 8, 2026) – Calling all non-profits: Art, Culture, and Entertainment Inc. (ACE) is bringing back Mini Operating Grants in April 2026. The ACE Mini Grant Program is designed to support artists, artist-led projects, and small creative collaborations through a more accessible entry point into ACE funding. The program is intended to strengthen the local arts ecosystem, encourage partnership, and create a pathway for artists and emerging projects to grow into future ACE opportunities, including the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival and other grant programs. Up to three ACE Mini Operating Grants will be awarded annually for up to $5,000 each.

Eligibility for ACE Mini Operating Grants

• Eligible applicants include individual artists, artist-led teams, small creative groups, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. All applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or include a partnership with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which will serve as the fiscal recipient, provide oversight and accountability, sign off on the project, and receive and distribute awarded funds.

• The partnering nonprofit must be based in Escambia County. Preference will be given to projects that contribute to the local arts community. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to: exhibitions, installations, performances, music, dance, theater, literary arts, film or media-based work, multidisciplinary or socially engaged projects, artist talks, screenings, workshops, or public programs connected to an arts project.

Mini Operating Grant Applications Open

• A virtual interest meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 11 a.m. CT.

• Letter of Intent submissions open on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Noon CT; submissions will close on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Noon CT.

• Mini Operating Grant applications open on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Noon CT; applications close on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Noon CT.

Mini Operating Grant Application Voting 

• The Mini Operating Grant panel will review and score all applications in person on Monday, July 13, 2026. A representative from each submitting organization is required to attend the grant scoring to be considered for funding. Scoring will take place at the Bowden Building (120 Church St.) at 11 a.m. CT. The ACE Board will vote on grand funding approval on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Awarded recipients will need to provide project details at the beginning of August 2026.

Additionally, Full General Operating Grants return in May 2026. ACE will begin accepting Eligibility Checklists from arts, culture, and entertainment organizations throughout Escambia County to apply for ACE Full General Operating Grants for 2026-2027 on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Eligibility for ACE Full General Operating Grants

• The deadline to submit Eligibility Checklists and required documentation is Monday, June 29, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. CT, and organizations applying must have existed for at least 24 months prior to submitting and be classified as a 501(c)(3). Only those organizations applying for ACE Full General Operating Grants are REQUIRED to submit an Eligibility Checklist. Learn more about this process on the ACE Pensacola website.

Full General Operating Grant Applications Open

• Applications for the Full General Operating Grant will open on Monday, July 24, 2026, and will close on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. CT. For more information on eligibility requirements or to apply for a Full General Operating Grant, visit acepensacola.org.

Full General Operating Grant Application Voting

• The Full General Operating Grant panel will review and score all applications in person on Monday, September 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. CT. A representative from each submitting organization is required to attend the grant scoring to be considered for funding. Scoring will take place at the Bowden Building (120 Church St.); meeting time will be announced at a later date. The ACE Board will vote on grant funding approval on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Noon CT.

The Mini and Full Operating Grants are focused on providing stabilizing operating support to art, culture, and entertainment organizations. These grants provide funding that promotes the viability and vitality of the Pensacola community. ACE defines art, culture, and entertainment organizations as those whose primary focus is the production, presentation, instruction, and/or direct support of performing, visual, literary, or media arts, heritage, and entertainment for the enrichment of the residents and visitors within the county support area. The funding period for the Operating Grants is October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027. A project receiving a Pensacola Foo Foo Festival grant may not also receive a Mini Operating Grant for the same project or event.

For more information on ACE Pensacola or this year’s grant application, visit here.

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ABOUT ART, CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT INC. (ACE):

ACE is a nonprofit organization that receives Federal, State of Florida, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, corporate, foundation, and personal funds. ACE disperses these funds through an equitable granting process to nonprofit arts, culture, and entertainment organizations throughout Escambia County, Fla., and promotes Escambia County as an arts and cultural destination through the annual Foo Foo Festival and other marketing efforts. For more information about ACE, visit acepensacola.org.

For questions about the grant guidelines, please contact ACE Pensacola President Therese Felth McKenzie at therese@mckenzielawfirm.com.