These grants are for general operations,” said June W. O’Neill, manager of the cultural fund. “The money is unrestricted. It can be used for anything.” Such unrestricted grants are highly prized by organizations, which, while they may be able to attract programming or capital donations, often have trouble paying utility bills or covering salaries, she said. The city money can be used to cover such costs.

City Cultural Fund grants arts groups $2.1 million | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/20/2008

Philly is doing an amazing thing by providing unrestricted grants to arts organizations - it is the day to day cost of running a non-profit that many groups need help with, not specialized funding.

BOSTON, WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS?