Best Grants for Dance Nonprofit Organizations in Colorado

Colorado-based nonprofits and PK–12 schools can seek US $10,000 - US $25,000 to run arts learning projects that connect historically marginalized youth ages 4–21 with professional artists. Focused on arts education equity, Think 360 Arts supports multi-week programs in accessible community or school settings across Colorado, including dance-focused initiatives.

Women-identifying individual artists in the U.S., including those creating dance-related environmental projects in Colorado, can apply for up to US $20,000 to advance in-progress environmental art with free public engagement. Grants from New York Foundation for the Arts support projects addressing themes like regeneration, eco-social engagement, climate change, and systems restoration, to be completed by August 2026.

Colorado arts and cultural nonprofits offering programs in the arts or sciences, especially those engaging youth or nurturing artistic talent, can access funding through the William Randolph Hearst Foundation; awards are typically more than US $100,000. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must be U.S.-based with audited expenses over $2 million and strong, sustainable impact.

Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation Inc

The Theresa Foundation honors the memory of Theresa Alessandra Russo by touching the lives of children with special needs and their families. The Foundation fosters each child’s unique abilities by supporting programs focusing on art, music, dance, drama, and recreation.

The Theresa Foundation has a vision of the world where artistic expression and physical recreation are just as important to adults as they are to children. We believe in a world where every child, regardless of ability or challenging conditions, is free to communicate through and participate in every art or recreational activity. A society without art is a society without soul. Art enables us to express our inner thoughts, fears, joys, and sadness.  

The Theresa Foundation Grant Program

The Theresa Foundation Grant Program is committed to providing financial support for programs in art, music, dance, drama, or recreation that are designed specifically for children with special needs in order to ensure that no one is excluded from these activities. 

We believe that every individual should have the opportunity to participate in art, music, dance, drama or recreation if they so choose. Our grant program works to provide direct funding for the success of these activities, while also promoting an environment of acceptance and inclusiveness where all can take part without judgment or fear. 

As of 2026, the Theresa Foundation has provided over $3,300,000 in grant funding for over 200 programs in 29 states throughout the country and 4 international grants. With your help we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those with special needs by providing them access to enriching experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. 

Experienced SHAPE America members in the U.S. who have advanced measurement and evaluation in health, physical education, and dance can be honored through this lifetime achievement award. With a mission to advance professional practice and promote research, Society of Health and Physical Educators recognizes substantial scholarly impact benefiting fields like dance education, K–12 instruction, and community health.

Current SHAPE America members planning projects that expand opportunities for girls and women in sport can receive US $1,000 to support research, professional development, after-school programs, or similar initiatives in the U.S., including Colorado. The Society of Health and Physical Educators’ NAGWS Legacy Award may benefit dance-focused programs advancing female participation and leadership in sports settings.

Colorado dance presenters, curators, residency directors, and NDP-supported dance artists can receive funding to cover U.S. travel for tour planning and relationship-building around National Dance Project works. New England Foundation for the Arts provides up to US $500 to support in-person meetings, site visits, and community engagement that advance touring of NDP-funded dance projects.

Colorado graduate students in dance, physical education, health, or recreation can access funding through the Society of Health and Physical Educators’ Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, receiving US $1,750 plus a three-year SHAPE America membership. Eligible applicants are SHAPE America members enrolled full-time in a master’s or doctoral program with at least a 3.5 GPA.

Undergraduate students in Colorado majoring in dance, health, physical education, recreation, or related fields can receive US $1,250 through the Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship. Focused on advancing professional practice, the Society of Health and Physical Educators invites eligible SHAPE America student members to apply based on academics, leadership, service, and character.

Children and adults with cystic fibrosis seeking support for dance, horseback riding, swimming, or golf in California can apply for Loretta Morris Memorial Grants, with awards up to US $750. Focused on active lifestyles, BreatheStrong CF pays approved costs directly to activity providers, which may benefit those involved in dance-related programs.

Native performing artists and Native-led dance, theater, music, or multidisciplinary performing arts organizations in Colorado can receive US $30,000 for live productions that are in active stages of creation. First Peoples Fund supports U.S.-based Native creators 18+ presenting live performances, including community-based shows, tours, festivals, and other culturally grounded productions featuring multiple Native artists.

High school seniors in New Jersey’s Morris County pursuing post-secondary studies in dance, drama, visual arts, or music can receive $5,000 to support tuition through the Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship. Grants from Arts Council of the Morris Area help talented students advance their arts education, which may benefit those focused on dance-related training beyond Colorado.

Colorado dance and other arts-focused high school seniors may be eligible for the Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship, which supports post-secondary study in dance, drama, visual arts, or music. Offered by Arts Council of the Morris Area, this US $1,500 award is paid directly to the recipient’s chosen college or arts program.

Professional dance and music organizations in Colorado seeking general operating or project support for live performances of contemporary American classical concert music may be eligible. Focused on classical music, opera, and dance, the Alice M. Ditson Fund supports ensembles and institutions committed to younger and relatively unknown, living American composers, including projects using a U.S. 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.

Graduate students from eligible Asian countries pursuing full-time arts or cultural graduate study in the U.S. can receive US $15,000 for one academic year of travel and living expenses. Asian Cultural Council supports disciplines including dance, theater, music, and visual arts; Colorado dance nonprofits may benefit by encouraging qualified students to apply.

Individual dance artists, scholars, and arts professionals in Colorado or across eligible countries can seek Asian Cultural Council’s Individual Fellowship to pursue self-directed research and cultural exchange abroad. Fellowships support travel-based projects such as meeting peers, visiting institutions, and engaging in workshops that deepen artistic practice and cross-cultural understanding, rather than production or single-event travel.

Individual artists, scholars, and arts professionals in dance and related disciplines from eligible Asian countries can apply for Asian Cultural Council’s six‑month New York Fellowship to deepen their practice through cultural immersion in New York and across the U.S. Colorado-based dance nonprofits may benefit by encouraging qualified collaborators or artists they work with to pursue this opportunity.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

Tara Lynn Clossman Memorial Fund

Established by the Clossman family and many others in memory of Tara Clossman, who passed away suddenly in 2016 at the age of 25, to provide postsecondary scholarships to Akron City School District high school seniors pursuing a career in dance or education.

Amount:

• Varies ($1,000 minimum)

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

Washington County Community Foundation

The Washington County Community Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy. We accomplish this by assuming four philanthropic roles of Grantmaker, Donor Service Organization, Fundraiser, and Community Leader. Fostering philanthropy by offering charitable gifting opportunities to donors on an individualized basis and at reasonable fees, we make charitable giving easier, more satisfying, and more effective. 

The Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, which is registered with the Pennsylvania Charities Bureau and annually files the Federal Form 990.

Scholarships for Post-Secondary (Undergraduate) School

The Foundation provides both need-based and merit-based scholarships to students in Washington County, with a few scholarships also available to students in Greene County. All scholarships are made payable to the educational institution the student is attending. 

Carol L. Berthold Scholarship Fund for Dance

For a current year graduating senior who is pursuing a degree in dance at an accredited post-secondary educational institution and demonstrates both financial need and academic excellence. The award is renewable annually, provided the recipient remains enrolled in the dance program and in good academic standing (as defined by the institution).

Shawnee Fine Arts Club Scholarship

Provides a scholarship to graduating seniors of Shawnee High School, Liberty Academy, or home-schooled residents of Shawnee, Oklahoma with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7. Student must be accepted into the university of their choice, majoring in music, visual arts, dance, or drama.

Our Mission

Empower donors to fulfill their passions and dreams by establishing charitable vehicles designed to create a positive and enduring impact on Jewish Buffalo, Western New York and the World.

Geoff Richter Performing Arts Award

The Geoff Richter Performing Arts Award Committee announces the availability of an Award up to $2,000! The GRPAA was founded in memory of Geoff Richter, Western New York Musician and Educator of the Arts.

About Geoff Richter

A native of Eden, New York, Geoff received his Bachelor of Music degree with a Performer’s Certificate in trumpet and a Master’s with a Performers Fellowship, from the Eastman School of Music.

Geoff played trumpet professionally with the Rochester, San Antonio, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestras and Niagara Falls, Binghamton, Chautauqua, Orchard Park, Clarence, Cheektowaga, and Amherst Symphony Orchestras. He co-founded the Buffalo Brass Quintet, the Buffalo Niagara Concert Band, and The Frankfurters, an internationally known Bavarian show band. He also acted as the summer/pops conductor of the Erie County Wind Ensemble and the Amherst Symphony Orchestra.

After retiring from a long career at Williamsville North High School, Geoff started working part time as director of the orchestra for musicals at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute. He also worked with the Mount Saint Mary Academy band and recruited and directed the orchestra for the annual school musical.

The NAACP X Society Awards Scholarship

The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

Scholarship amount: $1,000 to $5,000

This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

What is Emergency Assistance Fund

Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals:

• In times of unexpected critical need.
• To assist towards basic living expenses, such as health care, housing and utilities to prevent eviction or shut-offs.

Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund

The Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund offers emergency financial assistance to current or former employees of Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

The BTCF: Simple Gifts Fund Grant supports young artists aged 13-19 in the Berkshire Taconic region, providing financial assistance for summer enrichment programs in the arts. Established in 1998 in memory of folk singer Bill Crofut, the fund aims to empower youth through small grants that can cover costs for tuition, art supplies, or living expenses. The grant fosters creativity and personal growth, ensuring that young individuals have opportunities to pursue their passions.

The Lazarus Family Scholarship in Bioethics and Humanities, offered by the AMA Foundation, supports students engaged in bioethics or the humanities, including art, music, and literature. This scholarship aims to foster the next generation of physician leaders by providing financial assistance to those who are committed to advancing health equity and community service. By recognizing diverse fields of study, it emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in medicine and the humanities.

The SHAPE America: Joy of Effort Award recognizes dedicated individuals who exemplify the spirit of commitment and passion in health and physical education. Awardees are current SHAPE America members with at least three years of membership, demonstrating excellence in teaching, coaching, or leadership. This prestigious award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the field, inspiring others to lead healthy, active lives through their efforts in education and advocacy.