Jumpstart your 2025 grant strategy: Ten grants for arts and culture nonprofits
Grant funding is an essential part of the revenue stream for thousands of arts and culture organizations throughout the U.S. Federal, state, and local funding for the arts totaled $2.28 billion in 2023, with $207 million directed to the National Endowment for the Arts, state arts agencies receiving $971 million in legislative appropriations, and local arts agencies receiving a total of $1.1 billion in funding.
Meanwhile, foundations account for a large slice of the arts funding pie, with billions of dollars allocated annually for arts organizations and programs, as well as to individual artists.
In the wake of the 2024 elections, this picture will shift, possibly in dramatic ways.
In the changed funding landscape that we are likely to see beginning next year, Federal funding will probably decline for certain priority areas. This will mean additional competition for foundation grants. It also means that nonprofit leaders in the arts sector need to plan carefully in order to ensure the sustainability of their organizations.
Grants will continue to be available, however, even in the uncertain times that lie ahead for nonprofits. Curating a strategic approach to seeking grant funding, rather than applying for grants in a scattershot fashion, will be more important than ever.
The Grant Muse is pleased to help you get ahead of the curve with this compilation of 10 foundations that make grants in the arts and culture sector.
The funders on the list have all indicated that the arts are a core focus of their giving. Two of them – the New England Foundation for the Arts and the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation – are geared to speciifc arts areas, while the rest are more general in their focus. Several of the funders make grants to particular areas of the U.S., while others give nationally. A few specify their maximum grant awards, while others do not. The upshot: make sure you read the descriptions carefully to determine how the grants fit your organization’s mission, needs, and geographic focus.
This list is current as of November 2024, and will help you gain an edge on grant applications for the Spring 2025 funding cycle.
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1. People's Bank Foundation
Website: https://www.peoplesbancorp.com/about-us/commitment-to-communities/peoples-bank-foundation
Email: Foundation@pebo.com
Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30 December 1, 2024
Award range: Not specified
Funding priorities: Support for arts and cultural initiatives like art centers, museums, concerts and children’s music, art and theater programs.
Geographic region: OH, WV, KY, VA, Washington, D.C. or MD, as well as Burlington, VT and Excelsior, MN
2. Nora Roberts Foundation
Mailing address:
Nora Roberts Foundation
c/o Bank of America
Attn: James Bea
100 Campus Drive, Suite 350
Florham Park, NJ 07932
Website: https://norarobertsfoundation.org/
Email: reply@norarobertsfoundation.org
Registration and Application Deadlines: November 15 - 30, February 15 - 28, May 15 - 31, August 15- 31
Award range: Not specified
Funding priorities: Literacy, children, arts, social justice, environmental programs
Geographic region: While proposals are accepted from organizations located throughout the United States, there is a geographic preference for organizations located in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and West Virginia.
3. New England Foundation for the Arts (NDPP)
Grant Name: National Dance Project Production Grant
Contact: Indira Goodwine, Program Director
Email: goodwine@nefa.org
Phone: 617-865-1831
Website: https://www.nefa.org/NationalDanceProject
Deadlines: February 15, 2025
Award range: $10,000 - $45,000
Funding priorities: “Production Grants are awarded to 20 dance projects annually through a competitive two-stage application process. Artists/choreographers and/or companies apply to receive a package of support that includes: $45,000 for the creation of a new work; $10,000 in general operating support for the artist/company; $10,000 for production residency and/or community engagement plans; up to $35,000 to support a U.S.* tour** of the work. Creation funds and general operating funds are paid directly to the artist/company or their fiscal sponsor to cover expenses related to making the new dance work during the creation period (defined as the period from the receipt of funds to the premiere of the work). Works may not premiere before October 1, 2025.”
Geographic region: United States
4. Arthur and Alice Adams Foundation
Website: https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/adams-charitable-foundation
Email: grantadministration@wellsfargo.com
Deadline: February 15, 2025
Maximum award: $50,000
Funding priorities: Arts, music, culture and education
Geographic region: Nationwide, with a primary focus on Memphis, Tennessee; Miami, Florida; and New York City.
5. Hagen Family Foundation
Mailing address:
The Hagen Family Foundation
401 E. Linton Blvd, Suite 257
Delray Beach FL 33483
Website: https://www.hagenfamilyfoundation.org/
Email: grants@hagenfamilyfoundation.org
Deadline: May 1, 2025
Maximum award: $20,000
Funding priorities: Arts, education, environment, religion, and social services
Geographic region: Nationwide, with special interest in Colorado, Michigan, and Florida.
Notes: In recent years, the foundation has funded innovative projects that support autistic children; General Educational Development (GED) tutoring; outdoor education; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education; anti bullying efforts; job readiness; information technology; literacy; physical fitness; early learning; and at-risk kindergarten through grade 12 students.
6. Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Mailing address:
The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Attn: Mary P. Surrey, President
2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 414
Washington, DC, 20007
Website: https://www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org
Deadlines: For the Spring round of grants, the deadline is November 10. For the Autumn round of grants, the deadline is May 10.
Maximum award: $20,000
Funding priorities: Museums, cultural, and performing arts programs; schools, hospitals, educational and skills training programs, programs for youth, seniors, and the handicapped; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and their programs.
Geographic region: United States
7. Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
Mailing address:
C. F. Martin Co., Inc.
Attn: Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
510 Sycamore St.
P.O. Box 32
Nazareth, PA 18064
Website: https://www.martinguitar.com/martin-foundation.html
Deadline: September 1, 2025
Maximum award: $10,000
Funding priorities: The Foundation supports the best work of effective 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations offering programs in one or more of the following areas: Performance, participation, and education in acoustic steel string guitar music; Study and preservation of America’s acoustic guitar heritage; Arts education programs emphasizing acoustic guitar; Environmental action related to guitar-making materials and processes.
Geographic region: United States
8. DEW Foundation
Mailing address:
DEW Foundation
Oak Plaza Office Park
3300 S. Broadway, Suite 200
Tyler, TX 75701
Phone: 903-617-6331
Website: https://www.dewfoundation.org/
Email: info@dewfoundation.org
Deadline: June 1, 2025
Maximum award: $50,000
Funding priorities: Arts; children services; disaster relief; environment; family services; foundations (community); health organizations; higher education; human services; ministries; veterans programs; and international affairs.
Geographic region: Giving in the U.S. only, including organizations benefiting international programs
9. Henry W. Bull Foundation
Mailing address:
US Bank
P.O. Box 0634
Milwaukee, WI, 53201-0634
Website: None
Deadline: April 1, 2025
Maximum award: $40,000
Funding priorities: Arts; Christian agencies & churches; people with disabilities, education; health care; health organizations; and performing arts, music.
Geographic region: United States
10. Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation
Mailing address:
Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation
99 Main Street #236
Sheffield, MA 01257
Phone: 212-408-0590
Website: http://www.sohnfoundation.org
Deadline: None
Award range: Not specified
Funding priorities: The Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation has been formed to continue the vision and legacy of its founders. Their vision of a “wholistic” life, lived synergistically with nature and the environment, in which all people can breathe clean air, eat wholesome organic food, and be exposed to the wonders of music, dance and literature, continues in the Foundation. While the scope of the Foundation's efforts are largely centered on the environment and alternative health care modalities, the Foundation has the flexibility to contribute to such other causes as the Trustees believe are consistent with the Sohns' vision, including alleviation of poverty, education and the arts.
Geographic region: United States
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