Apply for UETF Funds
The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Urban Enhancement Trust Fund Cycle
Application Opens: December 2, 2024
Application Closes: January 20, 2025
Funding Amount: Up to $15,000
The FY2026-2027 cycle of the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund seeks to provide funding to projects that address the needs of the diverse communities that comprise the City of Albuquerque. This two-year funding cycle will prioritize projects that positively impact residents, neighborhoods and communities by providing direct access and increased opportunities for quality cultural activities and programming by, for, and about a broad representation of our city’s population.
The two-year funding cycle will begin July 1, 2025 (CABQ Fiscal Year 2026) and end June 30, 2027 (CABQ Fiscal Year 2027). Favorable consideration will be given to organizations who have not received City Council non-recurring funds or a UETF regular cycle grant.
We welcome and encourage all arts and cultural organizations, and non-arts organizations nonprofits in partnership with an arts and cultural organization, to submit projects that are led by and serving a broad representation of Albuquerque’s population to apply as long as their project enriches the city’s cultural life or vitality in the area of visual art, music, theater, dance, history, or literature, and that have favorable economic or cultural impacts on the city. If you aren’t sure if your proposed project fits, please contact us at [email protected].
Proposals for projects must be submitted by an arts and cultural organization, collective, or community group that is a not for profit, tax exempt 501(c)3 or in partnership with one.
If you are a collective or community group without tax-exempt status and are looking to partner with a non-profit, please email [email protected] for assistance.
For the FY2026-2027 application, an additional question has been added: What will you do with the money? Applicants are invited to submit a 1 minute video or 150 word max statement answering this question. Video submissions will be accepted as a file upload or Youtube or Vimeo link. These will not be scored, but sets the tone for the proposal specifics.
Application Questions and Worksheet
Applicants can use the UETF FY2026-2027 Application Worksheet to prepare answers. Full Application questions as well as necessary forms are listed below:
- What will you do with the money?
Please provide a short video (under 1 minute long) or a written statement (150 word max) telling us what you would do with a UETF grant.
- Organization Mission Statement
Mission statement does not count against total application word count. If you are a fiscally sponsored project please include both the mission statement of the project organizer and of the organization serving as your sponsor.
- Project Description (300 word limit - 25 points)
Describe the proposed project or activities. All projects should have a favorable economic, educational, or cultural impact on the city.
- Organizational Commitment (two questions – 20 points combined)
4A. Organizational Commitment (300 word limit – 15 points)
How is your organization uniquely suited to fulfill this project? Include information on the project’s accountability measures, evaluation process(es), or self-identified metrics for success.
4B. Key Personnel (200 word limit – 5 points)
Description of up to two key Artist/Professionals and two key Administrative/Fiscal/Fundraising personnel and their role in the project.
- Impact on the Community (300 word limit – 20 points)
Please explain how a specific population(s) will be served by the project, how the organization has worked in the population(s) the project will serve, and how any members of your organization are part of the identified population(s) served
6. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (two questions – 25 points combined)
The City of Albuquerque has identified racial equity as a priority goal to address longstanding, racially disparate economic and social outcomes. Local government dollars used for contracting, consulting and procurement should benefit broad representation of Albuquerque’s population.
6A: Values, processes, and protocols (200 word limit)
Describe how your project is committed to diverse, equitable engagement and outcomes at every level of the project.
6B: Leadership and populations served (200 word limit)
Describe: (1) the demographics of the leadership of your organization and/or project; and (2) the demographics of the proposal’s beneficiaries as specifically as possible.
- Project Budget (10 points)
7A: Budget Narrative (100 word limit)
The budget narrative should describe briefly how the UETF funds will be used for this project. Describe all other sources of cash funds and in-kind contributions for this project including city, county, state, and federal grants or contracts for services, other non-profit organizations’ contributions, earned revenues and other community support.
The scope of all budget costs should be as complete as possible. Each cost should be a separate line item. Budget items should include:
- The requested funding from UETF
- Funding from other sources
- Detailed descriptions of in-kind contributions
- Possible additional expenses
7B. Download and complete the Budget Form
Fiscal Agent Endorsement Statement
Applications using a 501(c)3 fiscal agent must provide a letter of agreement acknowledging their role as the fiscal agent sponsoring the project and application.
APS Endorsement Statement
Applications which involve student participation at schools during regular hours or that require off site travel during the school day must include a letter of APS support that states the activity is constructive to or supplements the school’s curriculum, and that it will be welcomed at the selected or specified school(s). APS Endorsement documents may include a Letter of Support from a representative of the administration of the proposed school partner, or a statement from the teachers whose classes will be involved.