Best Grants for Performing Arts in District of Columbia

District of Columbia 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek general operating or program support for performing and visual arts, environmental ingenuity, medical research, and veterans initiatives. Cornelia T Bailey Foundation provides funding to organizations serving residents in DC, Florida, New York, or Connecticut whose projects align with its mission to advance arts, education, nature, and science.

Performing arts nonprofits focused on dance and theatre in the District of Columbia or Puget Sound can apply for project-based support from the Morgan Fund at Seattle Foundation, with awards up to US $25,000. 501(c)(3) organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor may also receive invited general operating support up to $20,000.

District of Columbia performing arts and other arts organizations or individual artists can seek funding for novel visual, performing, and architectural/design arts programs that build audiences and enhance community life on Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill Community Foundation offers the annual John Franzén Award for the Arts, providing US $25,000 to expand impact and reach in the neighborhood.

Performing arts presenters in the mid-Atlantic region, including the District of Columbia, can apply for up to US $3,000 to support professional jazz touring performances and related presenting activities. The Jazz Touring Network from Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation offers ongoing membership, block-booking opportunities, and professional development for 501(c)(3) organizations and government units meeting its touring history requirements.

Small and mid-size performing arts and community organizations in the District of Columbia can apply for Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Mid Atlantic Presenter Initiatives Grants, offering US $750 - US $5,000 for public performances and community engagement. Funding can cover up to 50% of artist presentation costs, including fees, housing, per diem, and travel.

Nonprofit and community organizations running performing arts, arts education, or cultural programs in the District of Columbia can seek support for community projects or events through Stantec’s Community Engagement Grant. With a mission to strengthen communities, Stantec also funds initiatives in education, environment, and health and wellness in areas where it operates, including D.C.

Nonprofit arts, humanities, arts education, and service groups in the District of Columbia can receive US $10,000 - US $20,000 for projects, events, and festivals that engage local residents and visitors. DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities supports concerts, performances, readings, exhibitions, and multidisciplinary festivals that strengthen DC’s creative economy and cultural vitality.

Presenting organizations in the mid-Atlantic region, including the District of Columbia, can receive support to book artists from the Mid Atlantic Tours roster. Grants subsidize up to 50% of artist fees and provide up to US $2,000 for additional eligible project expenses. This program can help performing arts presenters expand access in underserved communities.

Performing and other arts organizations and individual artists in the District of Columbia can receive up to US $20,000 to support projects, events, or festivals that engage local residents and visitors. With a mission to advance arts and humanities, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities backs concerts, performances, exhibitions, literary readings, and community-based festivals of all sizes.

Individual artists and humanities practitioners in the District of Columbia can receive support for their creative work across disciplines such as dance, music, theatre, media, and visual arts. DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities provides these fellowships to sustain, highlight, and elevate District-based practitioners, which may benefit those involved in performing arts projects and programs.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals can receive up to US $5,000 to support 2026 performances. Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation provides performing arts organizations in District of Columbia and beyond with funding to activate underused outdoor spaces and expand access to live music for their communities.

Performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected financial hardship can receive emergency assistance for basic living expenses through the Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund, administered by Entertainment Community Fund. Current or former Oregon Shakespeare Festival employees, including those in theater, music, dance, film, and related fields, may be eligible, including applicants based in the District of Columbia.

Graduating high school seniors from Columbus City Schools planning to study music, music performance, or the arts at a U.S. post-secondary institution can apply for the Jean T. Grant Scholarship, which awards US $1,000. Students with at least a 3.0 GPA interested in performing arts in the District of Columbia may benefit if their studies connect back to this community focus.

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established by the family of John E. Craig, Jr. and Larry William Craig. Both John and Larry were extremely gifted musicians. John was a noted musician in the central Ohio community, studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston at the time of his death. A well-known musician and businessman, Larry excelled at playing the piano and worked with his father in Craig & Sons Wrecking Company. This scholarship fund will provide support to students who are pursuing careers in musical arts, theatre or drama.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Elaine Sirkin Forbes Scholarship Fund

The Elaine Sirkin Forbes Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for high school seniors graduating from Allegheny County Schools who wish to major in visual, performance or media art.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds. 

Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Edward A. and Shirley B. Livi Scholarship Fund

To support residents of Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties who are pursuing fine or performing arts beyond their college freshman year.

Additional Guidelines

• Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation.
• Scholarship awards could impact the financial aid offered by a college, and students are advised to check with their college financial aid offices about this.
• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. Some part and/or all the award could be considered taxable income. It is advisable students check with the college or tax accountant regarding this matter.

Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Fueling Equity & Racial Justice Since 1925

KZCF is dedicated to our mission to create a thriving community where people, resources and expertise are mobilized to advance racial, social and economic justice in Kalamazoo County.

Scholarships & Education Grants

For All Levels of Education After High School

Kalamazoo Community Foundation is dedicated to creating pathways to higher education so students can thrive in their academic pursuits and for a lifetime. We oversee more than 60 scholarships and education grants (many of which are multiyear awards) for college, graduate school, career training and more.

Dominic & Barbara Court Family Arts Scholarship Fund

This fund was established from the estate of Barbara Court to provide scholarships for students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that would lead to a career in the arts.

Multiyear Award; Renews Annually

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a student who is matriculating in a performing arts program, has demonstrated commitment to their art, and has demonstrated evidence of community involvement and service to others.

Generally the Community Foundation's scholarships are awarded to applicants who have high financial need. Applicants with household income exceeding $100,000 are less likely to be awarded, but applying will allow you to be considered for targeted scholarships.

Paul Collins Scholarship

Open to undergraduate students who are residents of Kent County who will study visual or performing arts and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Students pursuing aviation, art education, or fine and performing arts who are residents of Carroll County, Ohio can apply for Stark Community Foundation’s Melvin L. and Frances E. Tolson Scholarship Trust Fund; awards more than US $500 to support study at accredited colleges, universities, technical, or vocational schools. Performing arts students in the District of Columbia may not be eligible unless they meet this residency requirement.

Performing arts students pursuing higher education in the U.S., including those from the District of Columbia, can receive scholarship support for accredited 2- or 4-year colleges through the O'Shea Patrick McCarthy Scholarship. Legacy Foundation awards $1,000 for full-time undergraduate study, paid directly to schools or for book reimbursement.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing performing or fine arts and related creative fields at accredited U.S. institutions can receive merit-based tuition support through the Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help students, including those from District of Columbia, cover educational costs in eligible arts disciplines.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students pursuing full-time performing or fine arts degrees at accredited institutions can receive need-based support for tuition and related costs in the U.S. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund range from US $100 to US $30,000 and may benefit students from or studying in the District of Columbia.

Performing arts nonprofits and professional music organizations in District of Columbia can seek project support for contemporary American concert music and jazz activities. Grants from Aaron Copland Fund for Music range from US $2,000 - US $20,000 for discrete projects like performances, recordings, residencies, professional development, and related programs that build public appreciation of this repertoire.

District of Columbia performing arts organizations presenting contemporary American concert music or jazz can access funding through the Aaron Copland Fund for Music. 501(c)(3) ensembles, presenters, festivals, record companies, and music service organizations with at least two years of professional programming may receive US $2,000 - US $20,000 in unrestricted general support for eligible activities.

The Burrell Family Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, supports South Lake County residents pursuing degrees in visual or performing arts. This non-renewable scholarship is aimed at graduating high school seniors and college students, ensuring that the funds reach those who demonstrate a commitment to arts education. The scholarship committee evaluates applications based on specific donor criteria, promoting educational opportunities within the community.