Grants for Dance Nonprofit Organizations

NEW Program

Artists play a unique role in our communities, creating space for connection, inspiration and inquiry while engaging in some of the most challenging issues of our time. The New & Experimental Works (NEW) Program provides project support to small and mid-size dance, theater and multidisciplinary arts organizations that enable Bay Area artists to produce timely, visionary projects.

Program Update

The Foundation acknowledges the impact of public health orders on artists’ and organizations’ ability to produce performances. As a result, we have made the following temporary changes to the NEW Program 2021 grant cycle:

• Performance Requirements: Projects are not required to have a fully produced performance component to be eligible to apply. Grant funds may be used to support research and development for future projects through work-in-progress showings, readings, films of project activities, etc. Performances may be in-person (in accordance with public health guidelines) and/or virtual.
• Residency Requirements: We acknowledge that many artists and organizational staff have relocated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists supported through the grant are not required to currently reside in one of the eligible Bay Area counties; however, they should have a demonstrated history of working in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties.
• Funding Levels: The Foundation typically strives to fund projects at the full request amount. However, given an expected high volume of applications, the Foundation anticipates funding proposals at a lower percentage. We commit to funding proposals up to at least 70% of the request amount.
• Grant Fund Allocation: In response to the flexibility needed to comply with evolving public health orders, the Foundation has increased the unrestricted portion of the NEW grant to one-half (versus one-third). The remaining one-half of grant funds are restricted to artists’ fees and their direct expenses. This is a baseline minimum, and projects may allocate more than one-half of the grant to artist fees. Projects that compensate artists at a significant level will be prioritized.

We will also continue to offer grant seekers the option to re-use applications that they have submitted to other funders for the same project they are submitting to us. The goal of this intervention is to limit the amount of time and resources applicants spend on creating unique applications for different funders for the same project. In addition to the requirements listed below, proposals submitted through this track must:

• Have been submitted to another funder within 12 months 
• Be in support of a new work (not for a project that has already been completed)

The Rainin Foundation’s NEW Program Letter of Inquiry will still be available if grant seekers have not submitted their project to another funder or prefer using our Letter of Inquiry. Applicants are encouraged to use the method that works best for their project. One application track is not prioritized over the other during the review process.

NEW Program Priorities

The NEW program prioritizes support for:

• Small and mid-size organizations
• Timely and compelling projects
• Projects that support artists pushing the boundaries of dance and theater in form and/or content
• Collaborations across various disciplines, diverse media and technology
• For projects with planned in-person performances, in accordance with public health guidelines:
• Productions in outdoor, site-specific or alternative venues
• Activities in San Francisco and Oakland
• Projects that compensate artists at a significant level. Projects must designate at least one-half of the grant funds to the artistic project team and their direct expenses for creating the work. 

O'Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation

The O’Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation was established by choreographer May O’Donnell and composer Ray Green, who collaborated on a number of classic modern dance works from the 1940s through the 1970s. The Foundation was conceived and incorporated to devote its assets and activities to the respective and allied fields of music and dance, with the creation and performance of new works as a central focus.

Mission of the O’Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation

The Music and Dance Foundation, Inc. was conceived and incorporated to devote its assets and activities to the respective and allied fields of music and dance. That is, the main thrust of the Foundation is to offer support to individuals, organizations and institutions devoted to the creation and performance of new works in the field of music and dance

Grant Application Process

The O’Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation announces the next annual round of a commissioning program to support collaborations between choreographers and composers, culminating in presentations of new music and dance to be presented in live performance during the upcoming calendar year. The program is open to dance companies in the tri-state region of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, who may apply for one of 6-10 grants generally ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 each. The Foundation requests a preliminary one-page letter of interest, outlining the key collaborators and their backgrounds, production plans, number of dancers and musicians to be involved, and any other relevant information about the anticipated project.

New England Dance Fund

Through the New England Dance Fund, NEFA will award small, catalytic grants of $500 to $1,000 directly to choreographers who identify and articulate a critical opportunity that will significantly advance their career in dance.

Funding Priorities

The New England Dance Fund gives priority to timely opportunities with the goal of supporting a diverse group of artists from a range of cultures, disciplines, aesthetics, and career stages throughout all six New England states. Depending on the amount of funds available at a given deadline, applications for activities that would be eligible for a later deadline may be rolled over for consideration at the next deadline.

The New England Dance Fund is generously supported by the Aliad Fund at the Boston Foundation.

The principal goal of The Shubert Foundation is to support not-for-profit, professional theatre and dance companies in the United States. The program areas of Arts Related Organizations and Education are smaller than those of Theatre and Dance and necessarily limited. The Shubert Foundation awards unrestricted grants for general operating support, rather than funding for specific projects.

Grant Programs: Arts Related Organizations

Some organizations that help support the development of theatre and dance are eligible for funding. Grants to these organizations are based principally on an assessment of their work, as demonstrated by past and current performance. Impact, administrative strength and fiscal stability are factored into each evaluation.

Funding Criteria

Criteria range from the general to those specific to each applicant; they include:

• Record of artistic achievement
• Impact of the organization and its programs
• Record of developing new work
• Other significant contributions to the field
• Administrative strength
• Ability to generate both earned and contributed income
• Fiscal stability

The principal goal of The Shubert Foundation is to support not-for-profit, professional theatre and dance companies in the United States. The program areas of Arts Related Organizations and Education are smaller than those of Theatre and Dance and necessarily limited. The Shubert Foundation awards unrestricted grants for general operating support, rather than funding for specific projects.Grant Programs: DanceThe Shubert Foundation views dance as a critical art form, one that is closely related to theatre. The "Funding criteria" used for Theatre are also applied to dance companies:"Theatres are evaluated individually and with appropriate allowance for size and resources. The standard for awarding these grants is based on an assessment of each organization's operation and its contribution to the field. Artistic achievement, administrative strength and fiscal stability are factored into each evaluation, as is the company's development of new work and other significant contributions to the field of professional theatre in the US."

Jacqueline E. Malaska Mini Grant

SHAPE NJ’s goal is to support quality program development in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance in New Jersey’s Pre-K - 12 schools and Colleges and Universities. The mini grant provides financial assistance up to $1000 for new program implementation or to expand/enhance an existing program. Grants may be used to purchase equipment, software, or other materials that focus on student learning in Health, Physical Education, Recreation or Dance.