Skip to main content

Tier II Funding

The Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP) Tier II category provides funding for diverse arts, cultural, historical, and botanical organizations not funded in Tier I, including the local arts and cultural councils in Salt Lake County.

These organizations are instrumental in providing affordable access to arts and cultural opportunities in the community. Organizations range from volunteers to paid staff; they represent all areas of the County. 

Tier II funded organizations have programs available to all Salt Lake County residents and visitors.

Links

Resources

2025 Tier II Application Webinar

Virtual Webinar

Thursday, March 6, 12:00-1:30PM

RSVP

2025 ZAP Tier II Application Deadline

ZoomGrants.com

sthermos@slco.org

Contact: Samantha Thermos

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Access the 2025 Tier II Application

ZAP Tier II Application Process Important Dates

March 3, 2025:

  • Application opens
  • Week of March 3 Application webinar. Date and time of webinar will be announced soon.
  • ALL applicants are REQUIRED to watch the webinar or the recording, which will be posted online.

April 30, 2025:

  • Application closes at 11:59PM, late applications will not be accepted

May 30, 2025:

  • >$22,000 applicant financials due

June 10, 2025:

  • Joint Advisory Boards Annual Board Orientation

June - August, 2025:

  • Applications reviewed

August 28, 2025:

  • Advisory Board All-Day Review Meeting

October, 2025:

  • Advisory Board recommendations for grant applications submitted to and voted on by County Council
  • Following County Council vote, funding notifications are sent to grant applicants

November, 2025:

  • Grant award contract signing and updating of PaymentWorks registration

Grants are distributed in two payments. The first payment will be issued by January 2026, second payment will be by April 2026.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services or alternate formats) for individuals with disabilities may be provided upon receipt of a request with five working days' notice. To expedite accommodation requests and coordination, call (385) 468-7001. TTY/TDD users should call 7-1-1. If you are unable to attend, contact Samantha Mary Thermos.

Samantha Mary Thermos

How to Apply

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Eligibility survey coming soon.

Broadly, all organizations must meet these basic ZAP eligibility requirements:

  • Must be a 501(c)3 organization or municipal arts/cultural council
  • For funding <$22,000 - no additional statements needed
  • For funding >$22,000 (must have been a ZAP recipient for the past three (3) years consecutively) - various financial requirements
  • Only activities held within Salt Lake County may be funded
  • Only activities open to the public may be funded
  • Must be arts, cultural, historical, or botanical in focus
  • Must fall within one of the established ZAP disciplines (see below)

Grants are competitive and not guaranteed year-to-year. Each category may have its own additional eligibility requirements. These can be found on each individual funding category page.

The Tier II Advisory Board scores all applications on the following criteria:

  • Artistic/Cultural Vibrancy
  • Public Benefit and Outreach
  • Organizational Capacity
Funding Restrictions

The Tier II Advisory Board scores all applications on the following criteria:

  • Artistic/Cultural Vibrancy
  • Public Benefit and Outreach
  • Organizational Capacity

Please Note: Applicants must be funded by ZAP for at least three (3) consecutive years to apply for $22,000 or more.

Financial Health Test Criteria

2024 ZAP Tier II Scoring Criteria

Step 2: Sign up for a 2024 Tier II Application Webinar

Attending a workshop is one of the best ways to help your organization create a successful application. We recommend sending your grant writer and, if possible, the individual who will be reporting on your finances and a member of your leadership.

 There will be important updates even for returning applicants.

Watch the 2024 Tier II Application Webinar

2024 ZAP Tier II Application Webinar

Step 3: Submit Your Application

You will submit your ZAP Tier II Application through ZoomGrants.com.

First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to contact ZAP staff before creating an application, so we can help you determine your eligibility for funding and get to know your organization.

No late applications accepted!

Requesting >$22,000: Required financial documents must be submitted by the deadline of Friday, May 31, 2024, or your application will not be considered for >$22,000 and may be disqualified.

If you already have a ZoomGrants account: Open the application using the button above. In the upper right hand corner of the page, log into your existing ZoomGrants account using sign-in fields. Scroll down to the application tabs and click the "Apply Now/Start Application".

If you do not already have an account: Open the application using the button below. On the right side of the page, click the orange "New ZoomGrants Account" button. Create your account. Click the orange 'Apply' button to the right of the ZAP 2024 Tier II Application under the 'Open Programs' list.

Please note: Using the button below to access ZoomGrants after you have already started an application will create a new/duplicate application.

ZoomGrants Login

ZoomGrants Signup

Step 3.5: Submit a 2022 Post-Spending Evaluation Report

If your organization was funded in 2022 within Tier II, you must submit a 2022 Post-Spending Evaluation Report via ZoomGrants before Friday, April 30, 5:00 PM in order to be considered for 2024 funding. The Evaluation is available in ZoomGrants under your 2022 application. Open the application, navigate to the tab labeled 2022 Evaluation and complete the report.

If evaluations are not submitted for your organization by the due date, it cannot qualify for 2024 Tier II Funding.

ZoomGrants Login

Step 4: Enter into a Contract with Salt Lake County

Review Process

Applications are carefully reviewed by the Tier II Advisory Board. For final approval, the board submits funding recommendations to the County Council, which can make adjustments to the funding recommendations.

Once the County Council approves final funding decisions, ZAP Staff will invite the recommended organizations to sign contracts. Each funding cycle takes almost a full year from application submission to final payment disbursement.

If your organization is approved for an award by the County Council, it must enter into a contract with Salt Lake County. Our contracts are approved by the District Attorney's Office.

The ZAP 2024 ZAP Contract Workshop Webinar is now available.

If funded, it is mandatory that the signer of your contract watch this video, and we strongly recommend that anyone involved with your ZAP funds or marketing your ZAP programming watch it as well.

This webinar recording will go over contract obligations, as well as how to sign your contract. Please contact ZAP staff if you have any further questions.

2024 ZAP Contract Workshop Webinar

All funded organizations are required to watch that funding cycle's contract video every year.

Daniel Stergios

(385) 468-7058

If your organization is recommended for funding, your organization must enter into a contract with Salt Lake County. Our contracts are approved by the District Attorney's Office. Your contract must be signed online on ZoomGrants.com.

It is a REQUIREMENT that the person signing your organization's contract must either attend the online contract workshop offered in autumn or watch the contract webinar recording.

The 2024 ZAP Tier II Contract workshop webinar recording will be available on our YouTube channel after it is held. 

ZoomGrants Login

Step 5: Set Your Program Up for Success

ZAP Press Release

ADA Compliance

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services or alternate formats) for individuals with disabilities may be provided upon receipt of a request with five working days’ notice.

To expedite accommodation requests and coordination, call (385) 468-7001. TTY/TDD users should call 7-1-1. If you are unable to attend, contact Samantha Mary Thermos.

ΖΑΡ* SALT LAKE ΝΤΥ SALT Ι-ΑΚΕ C01JNTY

Samantha Mary Thermos

ZAP Program Director

(385) 468-7057

Sign up for our Newsletter

* indicates required