Tier I or Zoological Funding

The ZAP program provides funding for twenty-two (22) large cultural organizations under Tier I, and three (3) zoological organizations.

Tier I: This funding is available to organizations with three-year qualifying expenditures averaging $390,000. Organizations that receive Zoo, Arts & Parks funding in Tier I enhance economic development for the entire state, have professional staff, and often serve as ambassadors to Utah. Their activities are available to all Salt Lake County residents and visitors.

Zoological: This funding should be used to build organizational capacity, fund zoological facilities, to create stability and to provide adequate predictable support. Organizations that qualify for Zoological funding have headquarters and a significant presence in Salt Lake County and serves and audience of 75,000 or more persons annually.

Resources

Submittable

Create an account or log in to Submittable here (REQUIRED). The grant eligibility form, application, and related documents will be submitted through this platform. Check below for key cycle dates.

Event Invitation & ZAP Social Media Form

Submit event invitations and promotional material to be shared on ZAP social media.

ZAP Grantee Directory

IMPORTANT: Grant Cycle Dates

Grant Manual & Eligibility Form

Location Online

Time Monday, March 2, 2026

All applications, regardless of funding category, must pass the eligibility check PRIOR to receiving access to the application starting in April.

Application OPENS

Location Online - Approved applicants ONLY

Time Wednesday, April 1, 2026

We STRONGLY encourage submitting your eligibility check in March, as eligibility confirmation by ZAP staff will need to occur before you receive access to the application.

Application DEADLINE

Location Online

Time Friday, May 29, 2026

All application materials (including any required financial documents) are due.

Tier I + Zoological Application Timeline & Process

NOTE: The 2027 Tier I + Zoological Grant Manual will be made available for download on Monday, March 2, 2026. Please note the key grant cycle dates above.

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In its entirety, the ZAP Tier I + Zoological grant process takes approximately 9 (9) months to complete from application opening to signed contracts. There are six phases in the process which includes:

Review of Eligibility
Submitting an Application
Review Process
Contract and Payment Process

Beginning this year: All applications, regardless of funding category, must pass the eligibility check PRIOR to receiving access to the application. We STRONGLY encourage submitting your eligibility check in March, as eligibility confirmation by ZAP staff will need to occur before you receive access to the application.

The ZAP team has created a step-by-step process for applicants to better understand the full grant cycle from eligibility criteria, application processes and review criteria, to contracting and payment cycles. All links and documents relevant to the application process can be found in the Tier I + Zoological Grant Manual, which will be available for download starting March 2, 2026.

The manual includes an extensive list of process and help language as well as the necessary links and documents in order to complete all stages of the application process.