arts foundation of cape cod
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that serves as the official arts agency of Barnstable County, distributing grants, professional development, and arts access programs to artists, cultural organizations, children, and families across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersHyannis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- 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 headquartered in Hyannis, Massachusetts, that serves as the official arts agency of Barnstable County. Its mission centers on supporting artists, cultural organizations, and the broader community across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket through grants, professional development, capacity building, and arts access programs. The Foundation operates a portfolio of named programs: the annual Grants Program (distributing $116,270 to 32 projects in July 2026, the fifth consecutive year above $100,000), Creative Exchange (professional development including workshops, meetups, a podcast, and an annual conference), Arts Access (serving 5,000+ children annually and 15,000+ since 2019), the Artist of the Year recognition (since 2022), the Capacity-Building Program (cohort-based business training with a $1,000 completion grant), and the annual Arts Gala. The organization runs on a lean staff of 1-10 employees and does not maintain proprietary technology platforms; its digital presence is built on Squarespace and the Creative Exchange podcast is distributed via Spotify.
The Foundation's business model is a nonprofit revenue mix combining donations and philanthropy, government grants (NEA funding of $180,000 since 2021, with $169,000 subgranted), and recurring membership fees through Creative Exchange. Corporate sponsorship forms a significant revenue pillar, anchored by William Raveis Real Estate, Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, Cape & Coast Bank, Eastern Bank, Cape Cod Healthcare, and the Donald C. McGraw Foundation, supplemented by tiered sponsors for the Arts Gala (held at Wychmere Beach Club) and additional fundraising through events like the I Love the Arts Day and the 2025 Seaside Le Mans beneficiary designation. Since Executive Director Julie Wake's tenure began in 2015, annual grantmaking has grown from $15,000 to nearly $175,000, and the Foundation has invested more than $946,000 in the regional arts sector since 2020. The 2026 second annual I Love the Arts Day and the introduction of Creative Conversations (cross-sector engagement with environment, housing, healthcare, and technology) indicate continued programmatic expansion.
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
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that serves as the official arts agency of Barnstable County, distributing grants, professional development, and arts access programs to artists, cultural organizations, children, and families across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
arts foundation of cape cod industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts & Cultural Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ), Grant Funding & Public/Nonprofit Financing (MPADAAAO), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB)
Keywords
Where arts foundation of cape cod is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hyannis
- 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, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropy: The Arts Foundation generates revenue through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, patron programs, and fundraising events such as the annual Arts Gala. Donations are solicited through the website and at events.
- Grant Funding: As the official arts agency of Barnstable County, the organization receives and distributes National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding. Since 2021, the Arts Foundation has received $180,000 in NEA funding, distributing $169,000 locally.
- Membership Fees: Creative Exchange membership program provides benefits to artists and cultural organizations for an annual fee, with various membership tiers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
arts foundation of cape cod product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is a nonprofit arts agency that distributes grants, professional development, and access programs to individual artists and cultural organizations across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Core offerings include an annual grants program (over $100,000 in funding distributed annually), Creative Exchange workshops/meetups/podcast/conference, Arts Access scholarships and field trips for underserved children, a Capacity-Building Program with a $1,000 working capital grant, and recognition programs like Artist of the Year. All programs are provided at no cost to recipients, funded through donations, grants, sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Product overview
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod operates as a nonprofit organization offering a suite of programs supporting the arts community on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Its core offerings include the Grants Program for funding creative projects, Arts Access for youth scholarships and cultural field trips, and the Creative Exchange which encompasses workshops, meetups, a podcast series, and an annual conference. The Capacity-Building Program provides cohort-based business training for artists with $1,000 grants upon completion. Additional programs include the Artist of the Year Award recognizing regional artists and the annual Arts Gala fundraising event featuring art auctions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Creative Exchange: Professional development program for artists and arts professionals offering workshops, capacity-building programs, podcast, and conferences.
- Arts Access
- Artist of the Year
Products and services
- Creative Exchange Year-round professional development program for artists on Cape Cod, offering workshops, meetups, a podcast series (Spotify), and the annual CX Conference. Designed for individual artists and cultural professionals seeking skills development, networking, and visibility.
- Arts Access Program providing youth arts scholarships, cultural field trips, and free arts programming to every child and family on Cape Cod, ensuring access to arts experiences regardless of income, including those from low-income backgrounds, shelters, or foster care.
- Capacity-Building Program Cohort-based program (January–May) that guides artists through creating a business roadmap, with individual coaching, peer mentorship, workshops, and a $1,000 working capital grant awarded upon completion. Designed for individual artists seeking business and financial management skills.
- Grants Program Annual grant giving program supporting creative projects on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Funds both individual artists and cultural organizations whose projects increase access to arts, enhance community engagement, and address community issues. Over $100,000 distributed annually for the fifth consecutive year; $116,270 awarded to 32 creative projects in July 2026.
- Artist of the Year Award Annual recognition program honoring Cape-based artists whose work shapes thought, inspires change, and creates deeper community connection. Selected based on craftsmanship, artistic quality, creative ability, and regional impact. Featured 2026 honorees: Jackie Reeves (multidisciplinary artist) and Lauren Wolk (author, poet, visual artist).
- Arts Gala Annual fundraising event held at Wychmere Beach Club featuring silent and live auctions of artwork and experiences, the Creative Visionary Award presentation, and Artist of the Year recognition to support the Foundation's mission.
- Creative Exchange Meetups Regular workshops and networking events for artists covering professional development topics such as taxes, money management, artist licensing, and business growth strategies. Part of the broader Creative Exchange program.
- CX Conference Annual fall conference bringing together the region's arts sector for learning, connection, and inspiration, featuring national, regional, and local experts. Sponsors include MassArt and Cape Cod Foundation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $946,000 invested in arts sector since 2020
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use arts foundation of cape cod
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 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
arts foundation of cape cod partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- MassArtminor2025 CX Conference sponsor.
- Cape Cod FoundationcoreWorks with the organization on Seaside Le Mans race fund distribution.
- Cape Cod & Islands Art Educators AssociationcorePartnership on scholarships for high school students pursuing college degrees in the arts.
- Cape Cod Potters, Inc.minorCo-sponsor of scholarships with Arts Educators Association.
- Pastel Painters Society of Cape CodminorCo-sponsor of scholarships with Arts Educators Association.
- Printmakers of Cape CodminorCo-sponsor of scholarships with Arts Educators Association.
- Cotuit Center for the ArtscoreHost venue for Artist of the Year celebrations and various program events.
- Wychmere Beach ClubcoreAnnual Arts Gala venue host in Harwich Port.
- Center for Coastal StudiesminorMark Adams named as first Scientist/Artist-In-Residence.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
arts foundation of cape cod competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arts Midwest: Regional arts organization covering the Midwest with grant programs, partnerships, and capacity-building support for artists and cultural organizations. Comparable operating model as a regional NEA-designated intermediary distributing federal arts funds.
- The Cape Cod Foundation: Community foundation serving Cape Cod region with grantmaking, scholarship administration, and donor services. Direct peer given overlapping geography, grantee base, and confirmed co-funding partnership via the Seaside Le Mans race.
- South Arts: Regional arts organization serving southern states with grantmaking and professional development for artists. Comparable in model as a designated regional arts agency receiving NEA pass-through funding and redistributing it locally.
- Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation: Regional community foundation in western Massachusetts administering grant programs and supporting arts, education, and community initiatives. Closely comparable in operating model, scale, and county-level service territory.
- Mid-America Arts Alliance: Regional nonprofit arts service organization supporting artists and arts organizations across six Mid-American states. Comparable model as a regional arts intermediary providing grants, professional development, and convening.
- Cambridge Arts Council: City-level arts council funding individual artists and cultural programs in Cambridge, MA. Direct peer in municipal/county arts agency model, grantmaking approach, and Massachusetts geography.
Broad incumbents
- Rhode Island Foundation: Largest community foundation in Rhode Island with arts and culture grantmaking programs. Comparable in model and function at a larger state scale, serving a similar New England coastal demographic.
- New England Foundation for the Arts: Regional grantmaking organization supporting artists and cultural organizations across New England. Highly comparable in grantmaking function and serves overlapping artist communities in the Cape Cod and Islands region.
- Boston Foundation: Major community foundation in Greater Boston with grantmaking across arts, education, and social issues. Comparable mission and grantmaking model, but operates at city/regional scale rather than county level.
- Massachusetts Cultural Council: State-level arts agency distributing grants and supporting cultural organizations across Massachusetts. Comparable in grantmaking mission but operates at the state rather than county level, making it both a partner and a broader-scale peer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 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
Profiles4 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 nonprofit arts agency that distributes grants, professional development, and access programs to individual artists and cultural organizations across Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. Core offerings include an annual grants program (over $100,000 in funding distributed annually), Creative Exchange workshops/meetups/podcast/conference, Arts Access scholarships and field trips for underserved children, a Capacity-Building Program with a $1,000 working capital grant, and recognition programs like Artist of the Year. All programs are provided at no cost to recipients, funded through donations, grants, sponsorships, 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 1 to 10 people.
Where is arts foundation of cape cod based?
arts foundation of cape cod is headquartered in Hyannis, United States, in the North America region.
How does arts foundation of cape cod make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are grant Funding and membership Fees.
Who are arts foundation of cape cod's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arts Midwest, The Cape Cod Foundation, South Arts, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Mid-America Arts Alliance and Cambridge Arts Council. Broad incumbents are Rhode Island Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, 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 & Cultural Nonprofit 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.