Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a Hyannis, Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that regrants funds, advocates for, and builds access to the arts across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, supporting 500+ artists annually as the region's designated NEA subgranting partner.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersHyannis, Massachusetts, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Arts Foundation of Cape Cod does
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and based in Hyannis, Massachusetts. It serves as the designated regional arts regranting agency for Barnstable County, holding exclusive authority to subgrant National Endowment for the Arts funds across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Its mission is to strengthen the regional creative economy through grantmaking, artist support, advocacy, and access programming. Core programs include direct Grants (project and capacity-building), the Creative Exchange (an artist-in-residence-style network connecting 500+ artists annually with schools, businesses, and venues), Arts Access (serving 20,000+ children through school partnerships), Arts Advocacy, and Fiscal Sponsorship for small arts organizations. Since 1989, the foundation has invested more than $1.83M into the Cape Cod creative economy, with approximately $946K deployed since 2020.
The foundation operates a diversified nonprofit revenue model combining individual donations, a tiered Patron Circle (Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold at $500+), corporate sponsorships led by Title Sponsor William Raveis alongside TD Bank, Eastern Bank, Cape Cod 5, Cape & Coast Bank, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Southern New England, and Davenport Companies, plus grants, planned giving, fiscal sponsorship fees, and special-event fundraising including a 2026 Seaside Le Mans beneficiary designation. Staff of approximately 12 employees and a Board of Directors/Patrons Council execute the program. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; operations rely on standard nonprofit SaaS tools (Submittable, Qgiv, Constant Contact, Squarespace, SurveyMonkey). Annual grantmaking has grown from roughly $15K in 2015 to approximately $175K currently, with five consecutive years above $100K awarded.
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
- Legal name
- Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
- Website
- https://artsfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a Hyannis, Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that regrants funds, advocates for, and builds access to the arts across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, supporting 500+ artists annually as the region's designated NEA subgranting partner.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts and Cultural Nonprofit Foundation Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
Keywords
Where Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hyannis, Massachusetts
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Others, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible gifts from individuals supporting arts programming across Cape Cod.
- Membership Fees: Creative Exchange Membership providing benefits including conference discounts, workshops, networking, and newsletter access for artists and organizations.
- Grant Funding: Foundation distributes grants to artists and cultural organizations; receives funding from foundations (Donald C. McGraw Foundation, John K. & Thirza F. Davenport Foundation), corporate sponsors, and government sources (NEA through regional designation).
- Sponsorships: Business Patron Program with Gold, Silver, Bronze tiers providing marketing benefits and community engagement for sponsors.
- Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including wills, IRA/401(k) beneficiaries, life insurance, TOD forms, and Charitable Remainder/Lead Trusts.
- Events and Auctions: Arts Gala with live/silent auctions, Seaside Le Mans beneficiary fundraising, and other events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Patron Circle annual giving program starting at $500 |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Grants for creative individuals |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Capacity-Building Program stipend |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Fiscal Sponsorship administrative fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds, develops, and advocates for the regional arts ecosystem across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. It distributes project-based grants ($500–$10,000) to individual artists and cultural organizations, operates the Creative Exchange membership program for professional development, runs Arts Access to remove financial barriers for children, provides fiscal sponsorship so artists can access 501(c)(3) tax-deductibility, and conducts legislative advocacy. It is funded through donations, foundation and corporate grants, sponsorships, membership fees, and fundraising events.
Product overview
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a nonprofit arts organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around three pillars: grant funding, artist development, and community access. The core offerings include the Grants Program providing project-based funding to artists and organizations, Creative Exchange membership providing networking and professional development, Arts Access removing financial barriers for youth, and Arts Advocacy at legislative levels. Supporting programs include the annual Creative Exchange Conference, Capacity-Building Program with coaching and stipends, Fiscal Sponsorship offering 501c3 benefits, Patron Circle major donor program, annual Arts Gala with auctions, Falmouth Road Race Team, Creative Exchange Podcast, Artist of the Year Award, Seaside Le Mans fundraising event, and Business Patron corporate sponsorships. The organization also maintains Arts Cape Cod as a regional events promotion platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Creative Exchange: A program providing artists, arts leaders, and cultural nonprofit workers with networking, professional development, workshops, conferences, and a podcast series.
- Arts Access
- Arts Cape Cod
Products and services
- Grants Program Annual project-based grant funding for individual artists and arts organizations focused on increasing access, innovation, and community engagement. Award amounts range from $500 to $10,000 for individuals and vary for organizations. Applications processed through Submittable.
- Creative Exchange Membership Membership program providing artists, arts leaders, and cultural nonprofit staff with networking, professional development, skill-building workshops, business coaching, and connections across Cape Cod and the Islands. Annual membership via Qgiv.
- Arts Access Program removing financial barriers to arts experiences for children and families on Cape Cod through youth arts scholarships, cultural field trip transportation stipends, and support for school-based artist residencies.
- Arts Advocacy Advocacy initiatives at local, state, and national levels ensuring arts and culture remain funded, advocating for cultural professionals and the creative economy across Cape Cod. Includes participation with Americans for the Arts and Mass Creative.
- Fiscal Sponsorship Financial and administrative service allowing individual artists and arts groups to access 501(c)(3) benefits including grant eligibility and tax-deductible donations. Tiered administrative fee of 8% (on $0–$500,000), 6% (on $501,000–$2,000,000), and 4% (on $2,000,001+) plus a $150 contract fee and annual renewal.
- Capacity-Building Program Four-month cohort program guiding artists in creating business roadmaps with workshops, one-on-one coaching, group sessions, peer networking, and a $1,000 stipend upon completion.
- Patron Circle Major donor program requiring $500+ annual contributions, providing exclusive event invitations, complimentary conference tickets, podcast subscription, quarterly newsletter, and behind-the-scenes experiences with arts organizations.
- Business Patron Corporate Sponsorship Corporate sponsorship program allowing businesses to engage clients and employees while supporting Cape Cod arts through customized partnership benefits and marketing recognition. Includes Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Patron Supporter tiers.
- Creative Exchange Conference Annual fall conference bringing together the region's arts sector for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration with national, regional, and local experts and leaders. Held at the Cotuit Center for the Arts.
- Arts Cape Cod Events Platform Regional events website supporting and promoting the rich cultural landscape of Cape Cod, allowing organizations to post arts events and audiences to discover local offerings.
Quantifiable outcome
- 500+ artists supported annually through Creative Exchange
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Cotuit Center for the ArtscoreHost venue for Creative Exchange Conference and Artist of the Year reception; key partner in arts programming.
- Arts Cape CodmajorEvents website operated by AFCC to promote the rich cultural landscape of the region; free event posting for organizations.
- Massachusetts Cultural Council (Card to Culture)majorPartnership providing free one-year Creative Exchange membership to eligible artists through Card to Culture program.
- Americans for the ArtsmajorNational arts advocacy organization; Arts Foundation participates in advocacy network.
- Mass CreativemajorState-level arts advocacy organization; Arts Foundation participates in advocacy initiatives.
- MassArtminorConference sponsor providing educational partnership.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rhode Island Foundation: Statewide community foundation providing grants, scholarships, and donor services in a comparable small-state New England setting; directly comparable in community-foundation structure and grantmaking activities.
- Maine Community Foundation: Statewide community foundation serving Maine with comparable grant cycles, donor-advised funds, and arts/culture programming; structurally and operationally analogous to AFCC at a state scale.
- Vermont Arts Council: State arts council providing grants and capacity-building to artists and organizations — directly comparable programmatic mission and regional scale, with similar grantmaking and advocacy functions.
- The Cape Cod Foundation: Regional community foundation serving the same Cape Cod geography with comparable grantmaking, donor services, and event-based fundraising (including co-hosting Seaside Le Mans). Directly comparable in scope, mission overlap, and donor base.
- New England Foundation for the Arts: Regional arts grantmaker supporting artists and cultural organizations across New England with project grants and capacity-building — comparable mission, grantmaking model, and artist-development programming (Creative Exchange analogues).
Emerging players
- Mid-America Arts Alliance: Regional arts alliance providing grantmaking, professional development, and programming across multiple states; comparable regional grantmaking model with analogous artist-support and capacity-building services.
Others
- Americans for the Arts: National arts advocacy partner that AFCC participates in; comparable in mission alignment on arts funding and policy, but operates as an advocacy/membership network rather than a direct grantmaker.
Broad incumbents
- Barr Foundation: Boston-based private foundation with major arts and climate grantmaking portfolios; comparable private-foundation grantmaking model but operating at substantially larger scale and broader geographic scope.
- The Boston Foundation: Major community foundation serving Greater Boston with extensive arts and cultural grantmaking; comparable community-foundation structure but at substantially larger asset scale and broader scope.
- Massachusetts Cultural Council: State-level arts funder that channels funds to local cultural councils and partners with AFCC through the Card to Culture program; comparable grantmaking mission but at state scale, making it a broader incumbent funder rather than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod social profiles
Digital presenceArts Foundation of Cape Cod financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
What does Arts Foundation of Cape Cod do?
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds, develops, and advocates for the regional arts ecosystem across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. It distributes project-based grants ($500–$10,000) to individual artists and cultural organizations, operates the Creative Exchange membership program for professional development, runs Arts Access to remove financial barriers for children, provides fiscal sponsorship so artists can access 501(c)(3) tax-deductibility, and conducts legislative advocacy. It is funded through donations, foundation and corporate grants, sponsorships, membership fees, and fundraising events.
Is Arts Foundation of Cape Cod a public or private company?
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Arts Foundation of Cape Cod founded?
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Arts Foundation of Cape Cod based?
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is headquartered in Hyannis, Massachusetts, United States, in the North America region.
How does Arts Foundation of Cape Cod make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are membership Fees, grant Funding, sponsorships, planned Giving and events and Auctions.
Who are Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rhode Island Foundation, Maine Community Foundation, Vermont Arts Council, The Cape Cod Foundation and New England Foundation for the Arts. Mid-America Arts Alliance is listed as an emerging player. Americans for the Arts is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation and Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Does Arts Foundation of Cape Cod have an API?
No public API is recorded for Arts Foundation of Cape Cod.
What industry is Arts Foundation of Cape Cod in?
Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's product category is Arts and Cultural Nonprofit Foundation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAJ, Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8600.