Arts, Culture and Community Festivals (ACCF) City Council Allocations
Through discretionary Arts, Culture, and Community Festivals (ACCF) funds derived from Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funds, City Council Offices can award nonprofit organizations funding to promote local arts and culture. ACCF's City Council allocations are governed by Council Policy 100-23, and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is governed by Council Policy 100-03.
Funds awarded to organizations are awarded at the discretion of each Council Office. Allocations are typically offered annually, with the application opening near the beginning of the fiscal year and payments being processed at the end of the fiscal year.
Please note that these allocations are distinct from the City of San Diego’s arts and culture funding categories, including Creative Communities San Diego and the Organizational Support Program.
FY25 ACCF Update
The Fiscal Year 2025 ACCF City Council Allocations application period closed on September 13, 2024. Tentative awards will be announced by the end of November, 2024.
We are excited to announce that the tentative FY25 CPPS awards have been announced! Please visit the CPPS webpage for more information.
FY25 ACCF Application
Who can apply?
Nonprofit organizations with a legally tax-exempt status that represent the goals of Arts, Culture, and Community Festivals funding as identified in Council Policy 100-23. Organizations and projects should align with the following purposes:
- Provide access to excellence in culture and the arts for residents of, and visitors to, San Diego.
- Enrich the lives of the people of San Diego and build healthy, vital neighborhoods.
Organizations may also apply using an eligible fiscal sponsor.
Did your organization apply for or receive TOT funding?
Organizations that have applied for or received a Fiscal Year 2025 TOT funding award are ineligible to apply for council office ACCF funding, except Creative Communities San Diego and Organizational Support Program funding recipients (see below). However, TOT funding applicants and recipients can apply for Community Projects, Programs, & Services (CPPS) funding.
Did your organization receive a CCSD or OSP award from the City?
Organizations awarded a Fiscal Year 2025 Creative Communities San Diego (CCSD) or Organizational Support Program (OSP) award are still eligible for ACCF City Council funding allocations.
Organizations can either submit the abbreviated application, which requests for additional funds be added toward an organization's existing CCSD or OSP award. If an organization submits the abbreviated application and has been awarded funds by a City council office(s), the award will be processed as an amendment to the existing CCSD/OSP Agreement. The awarded funds must be used for the same purpose(s) as outlined in the CCSD/OSP Agreement. Contract amendments are administered by the Commission for Arts and Culture once confirmed by our office. Or an organization can submit the full application, which requests for funds for a different project, unrelated to the organization's CCSD or OSP award.
Did your organization apply for FY25 CPPS?
Organizations are eligible to receive both CPPS and ACCF awards in a given fiscal year, as CPPS is not funded by TOT. Please note that while the CPPS process has recently been changed, the ACCF process remains unchanged.
How can I submit an application?
1. Full Application (without CCSD/OSP award)
- Proof of Nonprofit Status (IRS)
- Proof of good standing with the CA Secretary of State
- Proof of good standing with the CA Attorney General
- IRS Form 990, 990EZ, or 990N
- Certification for a Drug Free Workplace
- EOC Workforce Report
- IRS Form W-9
2. Abbreviated Application (with CCSD/OSP award)
- No supplemental documents required.
CPPS & ACCF Supplemental Document Tutorial Video
FY25 ACCF Companion FAQ for Applicants
FY24 ACCF Information:
We are excited to announce that among 127 applicants, 79 community organizations have been awarded ACCF City Council allocations totaling $450,000 in funding. Please see the following resources and contact your assigned grant coordinator for more information:
Full Application (non-CCSD/OSP):
Abbreviated Application (CCSD/OSP Recipients):
Funding Allocations
- FY 2024 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2023 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2022 No ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2021 No ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2020 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2019 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2018 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2017 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2016 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2015 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2014 ACCF Funding Allocations
- FY 2013 ACCF Funding Allocations
Contact
For questions, please email ACCF@sandiego.gov or contact Council Administration directly.
Council Administration Abigail Edwards Malachi Bielecki
202 C Street, MS 10A Grants Manager Grants Coordinator
San Diego, CA 92101 EdwardsA@sandiego.gov MBielecki@sandiego.gov
619-236-6441
FY25 CPPS & ACCF Council Office Representatives
Please click here to find out which Council District your organization is located in.