Betty Kinsman Fund Grant

The Betty Kinsman Fund supports arts in Oregon and southern Washington, focusing on theatre, literary arts, and photography. Grants prioritize smaller organizations and aim to celebrate individual artists and innovative presentations. The fund does not support physical improvements, arts education, or activities aimed at specialty audiences. While all proposals are considered, preference is given to project support over general operating expenses. This initiative honors Betty Kinsman's passion for the arts while ensuring a public benefit.

This Fund is a part of our general grantmaking activities, and celebrates Betty’s affection for literary arts, theater, and photography. Because we are a small foundation, we see our role as supporting smaller organizations and companies, and in larger urban areas, alternate or secondary ones.
The characteristics we evaluate for these activities, performances, projects and programs include:
celebrating the excellence of an individual artistpromoting one of the arts disciplines listed aboveoffering an artistic experience directed to the general publicexhibiting professional qualityincluding a public presentation of artistic workemphasizing innovation or excellence in presentation
Our Betty Kinsman Fund grants support theatre, literary and photographic arts grantees. Although all proposals will be considered, we do not anticipate awarding grants to new or previous grantees in other disciplines

Eligibility

These grant policies are an informal summary of our granting practices and procedures. They vary in importance, depending on the individual circumstances of each situation. Each, however, reflects the last few years of our grantmaking:

Grants are made only for activities benefiting Oregon and southern Washington. Grants are awarded only to tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies. Only exceptional situations will result in a grant that requires us to exercise the expenditure responsibility procedures required by the IRS for some grants.
There is some internal inconsistency over the question of operating support versus project support. Like many funders, we appreciate the unique results nonprofits can sometimes achieve through a special project or program. Yet we understand that often the most valuable support we can provide to organizations whose values, goals and work we admire is general or administrative support. Generally speaking, project support still is afforded a preference.
No matching funds are required.There are no reapplication limits for either previous grantees or others.
An educational component to a program will not enhance its likelihood of funding.

Ineligibility

The Fund does not expect to make grants for:physical improvements to performance or exhibition spacesfairs and festivalsarts educationactivities directed to specialty audienceshobbies or personal enrichment activitiescommercial museums or galleries