Grants For Arts Organizations

Geographic Scope: Coastal Virginia (Virginia Beach area) and beyond via digital tools
Mission: Advance children's education through the performing arts and help fund community arts organizations including great performances at the Sandler Center.

What They Fund

• Projects providing access to arts education services for individuals and communities
• Special emphasis on projects serving low-income and economically underserved individuals
• Projects serving individuals with disabilities
• Programs that embody the Sandler Center Foundation mission
• Organizations with track record of collaboration and successful partnerships
• Organizations with thorough marketing plans for funding partnerships

Eligibility Requirements

• Organization Type: Nonprofit organizations with demonstrated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Partnerships: Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Resident Companies; or organizations with existing partnerships with the Sandler Center Foundation
• Other performers: Other performing arts groups or touring performance organizations considered on case-by-case basis and require a Letter of Inquiry prior to applying

Program Requirements

• Programming must take place at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, in the Coastal Virginia community, OR provide accessibility to the arts utilizing digital tools and resources
• Programs must provide more than 50% of education services (program-level, not organizationally) to low-income persons
• Multiple requests for programmatic support from same organization permitted

Definitions

Low-income person: Individual whose family's annual household income does not exceed 300% of federal poverty guidelines (based on U.S. Census Bureau definitions)

Education services: Any of the following provided to low-income persons or eligible students with a disability:

• Scholastic instruction
• Counseling or supportive services to elementary, middle, secondary, or postsecondary school students or parents in developing postsecondary academic or career training plans, including college financing options
• Scholarships (excluding waiver of tuition or program fees)

Eligible student with a disability: Student with individualized educational program (IEP) written and finalized per federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and whose family's annual household income does not exceed 400% of current poverty guidelines

Exclusions

The foundation does NOT provide grants for:

• Government agencies
• Individuals
• Political campaigns or lobbying organizations
• Endowments

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Sandler Center Foundation does not discriminate against organizations or individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected under law.

Foundation Support Beyond Grants

Fundation offers:

• Leveraging nationwide network of program providers, business contacts, schools, research universities, technology partners
• Guidance on governance, 501(c)(3) setup, and finance
• Connections with partners working in applicant's field, locally and nationally
• Guidance and support throughout grant application and reporting process

Application Status

NOTE: FY25 application cycle is complete. Inquiry emails regarding future programming and partnerships may be sent to impact@sandlercenterfoundation.org

Contact Information

Mailing Address: PO Box 61596, Virginia Beach, VA 23466

Application Process

Status: FY25 application cycle is complete. "Application Coming Soon" noted on website.

General Guidelines:

• Applications accepted on rolling basis through June 30, 2025 (note: this date appears outdated as current date is April 3, 2026)
• Applicants strongly encouraged to discuss their application prior to submission
• Generally, grants awarded on per-project basis up to $15,000
• Organizations may submit multiple requests for programmatic support

Required Steps:

1. Contact foundation with Letter of Inquiry if organization is not a Resident Company or existing partner
2. Discuss application with foundation prior to submission
3. Complete full application (specific form/materials not detailed in provided content)
4. Include thorough marketing plan for funding partnership

Required Materials:

• Demonstration of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Evidence of track record in collaboration and successful partnerships
• Detailed marketing plan
• Program details showing how 50%+ of education services serve low-income persons
• Documentation of eligible participants

For More Information:
Contact: impact@sandlercenterfoundation.org