Find these eligibility requirements in the Guidelines. 
Applicant organizations must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
  • BIPOC History and Leadership – Founded, led by, and serving Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color
  • BIPOC Focus – Strategic focus on stewarding and sustaining artistic and/or cultural traditions rooted in a specific/defined community of color and elevating awareness of that community’s contribution to regional culture

  • Arts and Culture Focus – Organization has a history of and a focus on the creation, presentation, and/or production of arts and culture that is

    • at least 40% of annual operating expenses (after capital expenses), and/or
    • an arts/culture program budget that is at least 50% of all programmatic expenses
  • History of Community Impact – Demonstrated history of supporting and engaging with their specified or defined community of color
  • BIPOC Cultural Legacies – A recognized source of inspiration, support, and/or contribution to the history, culture, vibrancy, and identity of BIPOC artists and Houston residents
  • Incorporated at least 15 years ago (in 2008 or before)
  • Organization must be located and serve the 9-County Region of Greater Houston


The following considerations are criteria our panelists will have in mind as they review the proposals. 

Houston Cultural Treasures are organizations whose missions and leadership are committed to and aligned with:

  •  strengthening the Greater Houston BIPOC arts ecosystem
  • network building through participation in a two year learning cohort 
  • are aligned with BANF's cohort models values:
    • openness to transformational opportunities;
    • process-based experimentation;
    • collaboration; and
    • shared learning

The organization must be a non-profit 501(c)3 in good standing as recognized by the IRS. They s must have a capacity to accept and absorb a sizable one time infusion of dollars without endangering their organizational health, and the IRS 501(c)3 standing. Generally speaking, that means:

  • An average annual budget greater than $150,000, and
  • Have multiple funding sources that continue beyond BANF's two-year engagement.