Social Impact Theatre Grant Program

Social Impact Theatre Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Sheri And Les Biller Family Foundation
Amount: US $10,000 - US $25,000
Last Updated: May 13, 2025

Summary

The Social Impact Theatre Grant Program supports innovative theatrical productions that address pressing social issues, fostering dialogue and community engagement. With a focus on sustainability, the program offers production-specific and change capital grants to eligible nonprofit organizations in select states. Grantees are encouraged to explore new models, deepen community connections, and support emerging leaders in theatre. Applications for the next cycle will open in Spring 2025, following the completion of the current funding round.

Overview

NOTE: Our 2024 grant cycle grantees have been announced, the application process is closed. We anticipate reopening applications for the following grant cycle in Spring 2025. About Our Program Our investments are guided by the fundamental belief in the power of live theatre to spark dialogue, bring different viewpoints together on challenging subjects, and provide a lens to process the critical issues of contemporary society. Through our Social Impact Theatre grant program, we proudly recognize organizations with production-specific support that are intentional and innovative in engaging with their audiences around these issues and are committed to reaching new audiences. This year, in addition to production-specific grants, we are introducing a new opportunity reflecting our value to support the health and sustainably of the American theater ecosystem. We understand the current climate for theatres is incredibly challenging – with decreasing revenue sources and increasing costs, many theatres are struggling (and even those thriving face seemingly insurmountable challenges). And yet, we know that in times of challenge, the sector will apply its boundless creativity to adapt models and practices to remain sustainable. This year, in addition to production specific grant awards, we will be selecting a small number of theatres to receive change capital grants of $10-$25K to kickstart new plans or to adapt and deepen strategies already in process. Awardees will form a cohort to share insights and to support each other and will commit to sharing lessons learned with the Foundation so that we can reshare information to more broadly support the field. Given our available resources and in the spirit of focusing on our own learning, we will be considering change capital grants in the following three categories: Business models. We hear “the current model is broken!” and want to learn how you are experimenting economically. Ex. Letting go of spaces or activating new spaces, shared leadership, cost-sharing partnerships, alternatives to the subscription model etc. Building and deepening connection with your community. Are you exploring new programs or projects to increase interconnectivity between your community and the art on stage? New leaders. Does your theatre have a leader who has started within the last year who needs capacity to enact their vision and implement necessary changes? Grant Process Interested organizations may request funding for one production and, if interested, one project for which change capital is needed, by submitting an LOI when our grant cycle is open. From this applicant pool, select organizations will be invited to submit a full application. Social impact theatre grants can cover artistic, production, and community engagement expenses.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. For production-specific grant awards, The Social Impact Theatre grant program offers funding for contemporary, professional, theatrical productions that deal with current social issues: At least 75% of the selected production’s cast must be professional actors (which the Foundation defines as paid for their work); The production must have a plot and use language (spoken, sung, and/or signed). Dance, opera, symphony, and touring Broadway productions are not eligible for funding; Scripts must be completed at the time your application is submitted; There must be at least 15 fully-produced public performances of the production; and, Due to the application timeline, productions should occur between September 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025. For both production-specific and change capital grant awards, eligible applicants must be a nonprofit organization: Domiciled in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, or Washington State with IRS-determined 501(c)(3) status; Whose sole mission is to produce and present theatre; With a history of at least two consecutive years of bringing theatre to its community; and, With annual operating revenue of at least $1,000,000 for the most recently completed fiscal year.

Ineligibility

Organizations cannot receive more than one grant per 12-month period, nor can they submit an application while in an active funding relationship with the Foundation from a previous cycle.