The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) Nordic Folk Arts and Cultural Traditions Grant supports nonprofit organizations across the Upper Midwest United States working to keep Nordic cultural heritage alive and relevant. Now in its tenth annual competition cycle, the program funds public-facing cultural initiatives, from community festivals and craft workshops to folk music performances.
About the Nordic Folk Arts and Cultural Traditions Grant Program
Administered by the American-Scandinavian Foundation, a publicly supported nonprofit headquartered in New York City, the program reflects ASF’s long-standing commitment to celebrating Nordic cultures throughout the United States. The Foundation defines folk arts broadly, encompassing traditional crafts, technical and occupational skills, music, dance, storytelling, seasonal customs, and food traditions, all understood as living expressions of community identity rooted in everyday life.
Funding Size
- Minimum grant: $5,000
- Maximum grant: $50,000
- Grants support both new and existing cultural programming initiatives
Who Can Apply
- Nonprofit organizations registered as 501(c)(3) entities under U.S. law
- Organizations based in or operating within the Upper Midwest states covered by the program
- Organizations with demonstrated experience in community-based cultural programming
- Previous award recipients must submit their final reports before submitting a new application
Geographic Eligibility
- Upper Midwest United States only
- Eligible states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Preservation and innovation within Nordic folk arts and living cultural traditions
- Community festivals, heritage celebrations, and cultural events
- Public workshops, performances, and demonstrations of traditional Nordic arts
- Craft classes and folk skills instruction
- Intergenerational transmission of Nordic artistic and cultural knowledge
- Promotion of cultural exchange between the United States and the Nordic countries
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Application Process
Applications are submitted through the ASF online portal. Applicants must prepare a full project proposal covering organizational background, project description, audience engagement strategy, timeline, expected outcomes, and a detailed budget. Previous grantees must have submitted their final report, due no later than 60 days after the end of the grant period, before a new application will be accepted.
Required Materials
- Completed online application form
- Organizational history and background
- Project description and cultural objectives
- Audience engagement and outreach strategy
- Project timeline and implementation plan
- Biographies of key personnel
- Letters of support where applicable
- Detailed project budget and overall organizational operating budget
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Key Dates
- Application deadline: 15 September 2026
- Competition opened: February 2026
Selection Notes
- Proposals are evaluated on cultural relevance, community reach, feasibility, and the strength of the connection to living Nordic traditions
- Both preservation-focused and innovation-oriented projects are eligible, provided the Nordic folk arts connection is clearly demonstrated
- Organizations that have not yet submitted final reports from a previous grant cycle are not eligible to apply
- Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award; the competition is open and awards are made on a competitive basis