Community Building Services (CBS)
Press Release
March 1, 2026
Grant Initiative Supports Folklife in Communities of Color
Community Building Services (CBS) is honored to announce grant support from Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color, a national pilot initiative administered by Mid Atlantic Arts and the US Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs).
This initiative provides significant nonmatching grants to traditional Nepali-speaking artists, practitioners, nonprofits, and local and community organizations that demonstrate a deep commitment to sustaining folklife traditions rooted in communities of color.
The program awards:
- $50,000 organizational grants for two years
These funds strengthen new generations of folk artists, support grassroots arts and cultural organizations accountable to communities of color, and foster networking between traditional culture bearers and Regional Arts Organizations to advance systemic change within the arts funding landscape.
Impact on Community Building Services
Through the Walking Together initiative, CBS will:
- Secure a dedicated dance studio space
- Strengthen overall organizational capacity
- Develop cultural exhibit showcases highlighting community heritage
- Expand intergenerational learning and archiving efforts
- Promote workforce development in arts and culture
- Increase participant engagement and cross-cultural exchange
This culturally driven two-year project will run from February 2026 through December 31, 2027. The funding enables CBS to deepen its commitment to preserving traditional arts while building bridges across communities. It enhances the organization’s capacity to remove cultural barriers, foster belonging, and create inclusive spaces where diverse traditions are honored and celebrated.
Leadership Reflection
“Culture is not just our heritage—it is our strength, our identity, and our pathway to collective growth.”
“When we preserve our culture, we empower our community; when we share our culture, we build bridges that unite us all.”
“Culture is not a luxury but a need.”
Mission Statement
CBS preserves cultural heritage, empowers New Americans, people of color, diverse communities, residents, youth of all ages, and partner organizations, and fosters cultural bridges and access to creativity through dance, choreography, collaborative initiatives, cultural events, community engagement, and sustained arts partnerships—leading to strengthened community cohesion, deeper belonging, and expanded opportunities for communities to thrive.
