Mid-America Arts Alliance
Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) is a public charity based in Kansas City, Missouri. It supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities by making grants, providing professional development, and helping expand access to arts and cultural experiences across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond.
Mid-America Arts Alliance at a glance
In short: Mid-America Arts Alliance gave $2.2M across 85 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), top state Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,174,664
- Grants made (2025)
- 85
- Average grant
- $25,584
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $11,576,875
- Primary geography
- Texas (26% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Mid-America Arts Alliance
- Contact
Mailing address: 2018 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: (816) 421-1388
Website: https://maaa.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Mid-America Arts Alliance
Artistic Innovations Grant Program
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Regional Touring Grant Program
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant
Mid-America Arts Alliance
Amount
US $10,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Mid-America Arts Alliance funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Anastasis Theatre Company ($50K). Together the top 10 received $500K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
343 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 297 grants of 343 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
M-AAA identifies Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas as its six-state region, while also operating some programs nationally and serving communities beyond the region. In 2025, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Texas (26%), Oklahoma (12%), Missouri (8%), Arkansas (7%), and Nebraska (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 85 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Mid-America Arts Alliance gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $118K (2020) to $2.3M (2022). In 2025 it made 85 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Anastasis Theatre Company Omaha, NE | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| Armed Services Arts Partnership Alexandria, VA | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods Riverwoods, IL | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| Community Building Art Works Rockville, MD | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| Decolonizing the Music Room Fort Worth, TX | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| Diaz Music Institute Houston, TX | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| East Lubbock Art House Lubbock, TX | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| ECHO Collective Lincoln, NE | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| Entre LLC Harlingen, TX | Arts program support | $50,000 |
| Exit 12 Dance Company New York, NY | Arts program support | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Mid-America Arts Alliance?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing type: Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,576,875 | $6,604,060 | $11,033,203 | $2,174,664 | 85 | $506,303 |
| 2023 | $13,682,020 | $7,665,549 | $6,767,635 | $934,229 | 61 | $302,985 |
| 2022 | $12,444,344 | $5,873,119 | $7,282,559 | $2,268,225 | 117 | $607,305 |
| 2021 | $14,899,964 | $14,710,818 | $6,372,852 | $1,960,086 | 68 | $90,247 |
| 2020 | $6,898,335 | $5,153,865 | $4,974,995 | $118,355 | 12 | $44,148 |
| 2019 | $6,432,216 | $4,043,913 | $4,563,557 | $220,061 | 22 | $47,237 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
M-AAA’s mission is to partner with and support artists, organizations, and communities to grow access to the arts, culture, and creativity. Its vision is “More art for all people.”
Its programs include grants and fellowships for artists, grants and organizational services for arts organizations, professional development, and touring exhibitions. M-AAA describes eligible organizational applicants as including U.S. nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, units of state or local government, and federally recognized tribal communities or tribes.
Examples of 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Museum of Deaf History Arts and Culture describes its mission as advancing and preserving knowledge about Deaf people, their languages, cultures, and experiences. ECHO Collective says it connects and empowers refugee and immigrant women through opportunities for personal growth and cross-cultural relationships. Soul Rep Theatre Company describes its mission as protecting and progressing the Black theatre experience through entertainment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, M-AAA reported 85 grants totaling $2,174,664. Grant amounts ranged from $5,280 to $50,000, with a median of $15,000. Among the largest reported grants were $50,000 to Anastasis Theatre Company in Omaha, Nebraska; Armed Services Arts Partnership in Alexandria, Virginia; ECHO Collective in Lincoln, Nebraska; and Diaz Music Institute in Houston, Texas. The reported purpose for the listed largest grants was arts program support.
M-AAA’s Regional Touring Grant Program offers matching grants of up to $5,000 to eligible organizations in its region presenting artists from elsewhere in the region. Support may cover up to 50% of an artist’s fee when the artist is on a state touring roster, or up to 25% for a regional artist not listed on a roster. Rural organizations may receive an additional 10% of the artist’s fee. Organizations may submit up to three applications and receive awards for up to three projects in a single cycle.
The Artistic Innovations Grant Program offers up to $15,000 for the creation and premiere of new work engaging in-region artists or organizations and audiences in the six-state region. It supports individual artists and arts-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations for eligible project expenses.
M-AAA’s 2024 filing says individual artist grants support specific art projects. Artists submit a project description and budget; after approval, they receive 50–80% of the award, with the remainder disbursed after review and approval of a final report that includes financial information. The filing also says M-AAA monitors grants to organizations in accordance with funder requirements.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Holbrook Lawson as Chair, Michael Donovan as Vice Chair, Melissa Thoma as Secretary, and Dan Sabatini as Treasurer. It also lists Billie Barnett, Lona Barrick, Sharon Beshore, Dale Brock, Tracie Chapman, and Jimmy Cunningham as directors.
Mid-America Arts Alliance is led by Todd Stein, President & CEO on the 2025 filing; 7 of 47 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Todd Stein
President & CEO
New on the 2025 filing
39 hrs/week
$208K (2025)
Holbrook Lawson
Chair
Director & Secretary → Director & Chairperson, 2022
Director & Chairperson → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ivan Lundberg
Director of Finance
On filings since 2019
36 hrs/week
$72K (2019) → $148K (2025)
Kathryn Dowell
Director of Arts & Humanities
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$102K (2022) → $134K (2025)
Christine Bial
Grants Program Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
Diane Scott
Director of Artist Services
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$128K (2025)
Margaret Keough
Director of Advocacy
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Sarah Mote
Director of Marketing & Communications
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$127K (2025)
Amber Sharples
Director
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2020
Director & Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billie Barnett
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale Brock
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Garner
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Garbo Hearne
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Gibbs
Director
Director & Vice Chair → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Perrin
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Gates
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Horan
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Gaudin
Director
Director & Treasurer → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kym Koch Thompson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda S. Frazier
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lona Barrick
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Ralston
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Keene
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Beshore
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacey Dillon
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Simon
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Antzee Magruder
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nola Ruth
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria May
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Rome
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monique Johnston
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shari Hofschire
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sylvester James
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Moore
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Celeste Guzman Mendoza
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jimmy Cunningham Jr.
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy LeBaron
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Markey
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brigitte McQueen
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan O'Neill
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kaveh Razani
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Fergeson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracie Chapman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Thoma
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Donovan
Vice Chair
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2020
Director & Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard J. Vierk
Direcror
Director & Chairperson → Director, 2022
Director → Direcror, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Sabatini
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: C. Kendric Fergeson (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Daniel Sabatini (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Kate Van Steenhuyse (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Larry Meeker (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Linda Hatchel (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: William Stein (2019–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Carla Patterson (2023) — Director-Organizational Svcs
- Former: Ed Clifford (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: J. Robert Duncan (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Rhonda Seacrest (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Suzanne Wise (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Lillie Fontenot (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Nancy Lee Kemper (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Peter Jasso (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Darlene Parman (2021) — Director
- Former: Ann Neal (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Candy Henning (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Hector Villareal (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Margie Reese (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Mildred Knape Witte (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Susan Barrett (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Susan Sherman (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Frank Uryasz (2019) — Director
- Former: Sandi Sanders (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $208K, to Todd Stein (President and CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mid-America Arts Alliance
How much does Mid-America Arts Alliance give each year?
Mid-America Arts Alliance gave $2.2M across 85 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Mid-America Arts Alliance's typical grant size?
Mid-America Arts Alliance's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $25,584, across 85 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Mid-America Arts Alliance give grants?
Mid-America Arts Alliance's top state is Texas, with 26% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Oklahoma (12%) and Missouri (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (5 grants), Houston, TX (4 grants), Austin, TX (3 grants) and Kansas City, MO (3 grants).
Does Mid-America Arts Alliance give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 85 grants with a stated purpose on Mid-America Arts Alliance's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts program support" (85 grants).
Who are Mid-America Arts Alliance's largest grantees?
Mid-America Arts Alliance's largest 2025 grantees include Anastasis Theatre Company ($50,000), Armed Services Arts Partnership ($50,000) and Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mid-America Arts Alliance?
Mid-America Arts Alliance reported $11.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.6M.
What does Mid-America Arts Alliance fund?
M-AAA’s mission is to partner with and support artists, organizations, and communities to grow access to the arts, culture, and creativity. Its vision is “More art for all people.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mid-America Arts Alliance?
Mid-America Arts Alliance has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check maaa.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Mid-America Arts Alliance's EIN?
Mid-America Arts Alliance's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7303693. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 23, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 29, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 23, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mid-America Arts Alliance's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
Dallas, TX
Communities Foundation of Texas funds a broad range of community needs, including health, education, housing, and community development, primarily in North Texas and across Texas. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $18,800, though amounts varied widely; nearly all opportunities are by invitation, with some specific programs open for applications.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
2,209
Total Given
$209.2M
Houston Arts Alliance
Houston, TX
Houston Arts Alliance funds artists, arts nonprofits, and fiscally sponsored projects for arts and cultural programs, civic art, and related community initiatives, primarily in Houston. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,027 to $755,710, with a median of $41,352; it offers competitive application programs, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$39.7M
Grants
128
Total Given
$12.4M
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Better Business Bureau
Austin, TX
Based in Austin, the Better Business Bureau focuses on marketplace trust through consumer protection and education, dispute resolution, business information, and support for businesses and veterans. Its 2022–2024 filings report no grants, so no typical giving level or geographic grant area is stated; grant applications and unsolicited requests are not addressed.
Assets
$12.3M
Grants
281
Total Given
$6.4M
Houston Endowment Inc
Houston, TX
Houston Endowment funds public education, civic engagement, arts and culture, and greenspaces through grants benefiting people in Greater Houston. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $5 million, with a median of $125,000. It awards grants by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
355
Total Given
$99.6M
Greater Austin Performing Arts Center Inc
Austin, TX
The Long Center supports Austin-area arts, cultural, educational, and community organizations and programs, with most funding going to Texas recipients. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,088 to $282,123, with a median of $54,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$57.9M
Grants
223
Total Given
$13.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mid-America Arts Alliance funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mid-america-arts-alliance-morg_ef857724adc9493691973982cda44043
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237303693_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mid-America Arts Alliance funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mid-america-arts-alliance-morg_ef857724adc9493691973982cda44043},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Mid-America Arts Alliance's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Mid-America Arts Alliance down — hundreds of funders to go?