Social Impact Theatre Grant Program

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.

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
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.
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.
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. 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

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,
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.