GUIDELINES
We are committed to supporting projects that bring new scholarship, diverse perspectives, and meaningful public engagement to the fields of textiles and fashion. The guidelines below provide an overview of our grant programs, funding priorities, and application requirements to help organizations prepare strong proposals that align with the Foundation's mission.
Who We Fund
Museums and other 501(c)(3) cultural organizations in the Mid-Atlantic and New England.
What We Fund
Exhibitions (planning and implementation), public programs, and publications that shed new light on textiles and fashion from any culture, region, or era; conservation, digitization, and cataloging projects that help to preserve and expand access to textile ollections; and projects that bring communities together around textile making.
The Foundation only funds direct costs, not staff salaries or overhead.
What We’re Looking For
Projects that present innovative scholarship, highlight underrepresented artists and cultures, or feature textile collections that have been inadequately studied, preserved, and shared.
How It Works
Applications are accepted through our online portal. Prospective applicants should begin by completing a brief eligibility quiz. If the organization and project meet our requirements, we will invite a letter of inquiry (LOI). LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis, and responses are typically received within two weeks. Those invited to submit a detailed proposal will be notified of the submission deadline.
APPLICATION CALENDAR
The Coby Foundation reviews applications three times a year in January, May, and September. Letters of inquiry are accepted on a rolling basis.
2027
Cycle One
LOI submission encouraged prior to OCT 23, 2026
Invited applications due NOV 25, 2026
Notification by FEB 1, 2027
Cycle Two
LOI submission encouraged prior to FEB 26, 2027
Invited applications due MAR 26, 2027
Notification by JUN 1, 2027
Cycle Three
LOI submission encouraged prior to JUN 25, 2027
Invited applications due JUL 30, 2027
Notification by OCT 1, 2027
ELIGIBILITY
The Coby Foundation welcomes inquiries from 501(c)(3) organizations based in New England or the Mid-Atlantic that are planning significant projects in the fields of textiles, fashion, and the needle arts.
If your organization and project are eligible, you will be invited to submit a letter of inquiry. Selected organizations will have the opportunity to submit a full proposal.
Please click below to go to our online portal and complete an eligibility quiz.
Questions? Email grants@cobyfoundation.org