Best Grants for Theatre Equipment

Armstrong County Community Foundation

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Susan Falsetti-Burdett Memorial Scholarship Fund for Music

Born in Kittanning in 1957, Susan Burdett was the daughter of Aldo and Dorothy (Trenchik) Falsetti, and was a lifelong resident of our community. Susie was a loving daughter, sister, mother, wife, and friend. She taught music to many over the years, and also taught at Divine Redeemer School. She was caring, compassionate, sharing and understanding. Her charity will live on through this Susan Falsetti-Burdett memorial Scholarship Fund for Music.

Scholarship Details

• Available to High School Seniors
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.

The Puffin Foundation's Environmental Artistic Activism Grant Program supports artists addressing environmental issues through diverse artistic genres such as film, music, and theater. Grants, typically around $1,750, fund projects that prioritize sustainability and innovative solutions to the climate crisis. Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and current DACA recipients. The foundation emphasizes projects that avoid contributing to environmental harm while fostering artistic expression and community engagement.

The Fund for the Arts: Event Artist program invites artists and organizations from the Greater Louisville area to participate in community events. This initiative aims to create a diverse roster of artistic talent, compensating participants for their contributions. Artists can engage in various events, from large public festivals to intimate performances. Applicants must align with the Fund's commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring a vibrant arts scene that reflects the community's diversity.

The Fund for the Arts' Sustaining Impact Grant supports first-time applicants by providing general operating support to arts organizations that align with community priorities in Greater Louisville. Eligible organizations must have received a Fund for the Arts grant in the last three years. This grant emphasizes community impact, equity, diversity, and sustainable operations, offering funding based on operating revenues, with a maximum of $500,000 for larger organizations.

The Sustaining Impact Grant from the Fund for the Arts provides essential operating support to arts organizations that enhance community vitality and engagement. Eligible returning applicants, having met prior reporting requirements, can apply via the online portal. The grant focuses on community impact, engagement, and sustainable operations, with funding levels based on annual revenues, ensuring that organizations can continue to thrive and contribute to the arts ecosystem.

The Branford Community Foundation (BCF) offers sponsorships to support organizations serving the Branford community. Applications are accepted year-round, with specific review dates: January 15, April 15, and July 15. BCF seeks events that provide meaningful community impact, positive exposure, and opportunities to build relationships with a targeted audience. Sponsorships are awarded for single events or a series of events, but not for ongoing programming or political events.

The Tri-M Foundation's Performing Arts Grant Program aims to support innovative and high-quality performing arts projects by regional non-profit organizations. The program prioritizes projects that align with the organization's mission, engage audiences, and provoke important discussions. Grants range from $3,000 to $10,000, intended for diverse artistic expressions, including theatre and dance. Applications are encouraged from eligible organizations that demonstrate detailed project planning, inclusivity, and a commitment to addressing sensitive topics.

The Minnesota State Arts Board offers the Arts Experiences Grant to support individuals and organizations in creating impactful arts programming for the community. Grants range from $5,000 to $35,000, with no cash match required. Eligible applicants include artists and arts organizations committed to enhancing public engagement in the arts. This pilot initiative aims to enrich the cultural landscape of Minnesota by providing diverse artistic opportunities that resonate with the community's values and experiences.

The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council is offering the K-12 School Arts Project Grant to support artist residencies, live performances, mini-workshops, and arts-related field trips for students. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and are available from July 2025 to March 2026, with monthly deadlines on the 1st, excluding December and January. This initiative aims to enhance access to diverse art forms and improve community quality of life.

The Founders Project Fulfillment Grant, offered by the Children's Theatre Foundation of America (CTFA), is dedicated to supporting 501(c)(3) IRS-certified theatres with a strong commitment to artistic excellence for young audiences. Eligible organizations must have a minimum operating budget of $1,000,000 and a proven track record of diversity in leadership, making this grant a vital resource for fostering inclusive theatre experiences for children and families.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Grants for Educators & Theatre Programs

A core piece of the Educational Theatre Foundation’s work is supporting theatre educators and theatre programs directly. We do this through a series of production and educator grants available to both members of EdTA as well as non-members.

For EdTA Members

Production Grants are offered in collaboration with the rights holders for specific plays and musicals or for initiative-based productions that build community.

Production Grants

Show-specific financial assistance for educational theatre programs

Music Theatre International: Heart of Rock and Roll "The Power of Love" Grant

Heart of Rock and Roll features a book by Jonathan Abrams and music and lyrics by Huey Lewis and his pop-rock band, Huey Lewis and the News, with new orchestrations of their music by Brian Usifer.

Selected schools will host intergenerational community events or outreach programs of their own design — because just as Huey Lewis’s music has always brought people together, school theatre has the power to do the same.

The Equity in Arts Learning for Colorado Youth (EAL) Grant Program aims to enhance access to arts education for historically marginalized youth in Colorado. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 will support projects that engage professional artists in educational settings for youth aged 4-21. This initiative, backed by significant foundations, seeks to dismantle barriers to arts education, fostering creativity and community engagement while promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Building a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre

Our Mission and Goals

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. ETF’s programs aim to support students, educators and the field at large by realizing three strategic goals:

• Subsidizing new, emerging, and underserved student theatre programs;
• Creating paths for theatre educators to develop new skills; and
• Commissioning research to showcase the value of a theatre education.

Grants for Educators & Theatre Programs

A core piece of the Educational Theatre Foundation’s work is supporting theatre educators and theatre programs directly. We do this through a series of production and educator grants available to both members of EdTA as well as non-members.

For EdTA Members

Production Grants are offered in collaboration with the rights holders for specific plays and musicals or for initiative-based productions that build community.

Production Grants

Show-specific financial assistance for educational theatre programs

The Wilder Estate: The Long Christmas Dinner Festival Grant

In 1931, Thornton Wilder wrote The Long Christmas Dinner, a moving, funny, and ingeniously theatrical one-act play created specifically for student theater groups. In just 40 minutes, a single holiday meal becomes a 90-year journey through four generations of a family, exploring time, tradition, family, and the stories we tell about our lives.

In 2026, the Wilder Estate is launching The Long Christmas Dinner Festival, a national holiday celebration bringing schools, cultural organizations, and audiences together around this remarkable play.

The Cultural Competitive and Emerging Film Festival Grant aims to enhance arts and film initiatives that boost tourism and economic vitality in Suffolk County. By supporting community organizations focused on diversity and cultural participation, the grant encourages the development of innovative arts programs, partnerships, and public engagement. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to accessible arts experiences and have a proven operational history, ensuring funds are directed towards impactful community-driven projects.

Wallingford Education Foundation

Our Mission

The Wallingford Education Foundation is a non-profit, community-based partnership supporting educational innovation and excellence in our town.

Our Vision

The Wallingford Education Foundation empowers ideas and enhances educational experiences for students, educators and community members. It provides financial support outside the education budget that is aligned with the goals and focus areas of the school district’s strategic plan.

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Wallingford Education Foundation (WEF) established the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004 to honor and showcase individuals whose deeds and character exemplify outstanding accomplishments, leadership, and/or service to their community. This award is presented annually and alumni need not have graduated from a Wallingford high school in order to be considered.

Members of the community are invited to nominate candidates for this award by completing the nomination form.

All submitted nominations are reviewed with the final selection of award recipients made by the Distinguished Alumni Committee and endorsed by the WEF Board of Directors. Only those individuals selected for the award are notified of their nomination. Nomination forms of individuals not selected will be kept on file for three (3) years for future consideration. Award recipients are honored at the Distinguished Alumni Dinner held each spring.

The Howard Vincent Kurtz Student Engagement Grant, funded by USITT, supports emerging theater artists with financial assistance up to $1,200 for academic costs. Grants cover research, travel, and project completion, along with a complimentary conference registration. Eligible applicants include undergraduate and graduate students in theatrical design and technology, nominated by a USITT member. Winners receive mentorship for six months, fostering professional growth and development in the entertainment industry.

The American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) Sally Banes Publication Prize celebrates outstanding publications that explore the relationship between theatre and dance. This award alternates between recognizing books and essays based on even and odd years, respectively. Eligible works must have been published within the last two years. The award includes a $500 prize and free conference registration, encouraging scholarly contributions to the field.

The Gerald Kahan Scholar's Prize, awarded by the American Society for Theatre Research, honors the best essay published in English in a refereed scholarly journal or edited collection within the field of theater research. Eligible authors must be untenured and within seven years of their doctorate or enrolled in a doctoral program. The prize includes a $500 honorarium and complimentary registration for the ASTR annual meeting, acknowledging the editor's contribution to scholarship.

The ASTR Translation Prize recognizes the vital contributions of translators in theater and performance studies. It honors an exceptional English translation of works such as plays, performance texts, scholarly books, and articles published in the last calendar year. The award includes a $500 honorarium and free registration to the annual ASTR conference, promoting the importance of translations in enhancing the global theater landscape.

The ASTR Jessica Berson Dance Research Assistance Fund Grant aims to support contingent faculty engaged in dance-based scholarship within theatre. This initiative acknowledges the critical role of non-tenure track faculty and provides them with a $1000 honorarium, conference registration, and a one-year ASTR membership. The grant encourages research and attendance at the annual ASTR conference, ensuring broader access to resources and professional opportunities for those who often lack institutional support.

The ASTR Teacher-Researchers Grant supports faculty with heavy teaching loads and limited research resources in theatre studies. This grant fosters scholarly exchange by providing an honorarium of up to $1000, complimentary conference registration, and a one-year ASTR membership. Applications are evaluated based on project feasibility and significance, with additional consideration for those facing institutional research support challenges. This initiative aims to enhance diversity and facilitate meaningful contributions to the field.

The ASTR Brooks McNamara Publishing Subvention supports costs related to reproducing illustrations for publications, including securing rights and acquiring images. It is available to independent or affiliated scholars with terminal degrees who are ASTR members. The award offers up to $600, with preference given to junior scholars. Projects will be evaluated based on their merit within theatre, dance, and performance studies, as well as the scholar's research endeavors.

The ASTR Theater and Performance Art Studies Research Fellowships provide funding for scholars conducting significant research in theatre and performance studies. With awards up to $3000, these fellowships support academic projects, allowing recipients to cover various research expenses. Eligible applicants include anyone holding a terminal degree and a member of ASTR, with the selection based on project merit. However, applicants cannot seek a Targeted Research Area Grant for the same project in the same year.

The ASTR Targeted Research Area Grant supports projects by scholars focusing on under-represented areas in theatre, dance, and performance studies. This includes research on Asian, African, Latin American, and Middle Eastern disciplines, as well as pre-1900 studies and essential translations. The grant, offering up to $3000, encourages recipients to publish their findings and collaborate with Theatre Survey editors. Eligibility extends to scholars with terminal degrees and graduate students, provided they are ASTR members.

The ASTR Po-Hsien Chu International Scholar Award Fund aims to support international scholars facing unique challenges in the U.S. due to their visa status. This initiative offers annual research awards to up to two scholars, with a focus on at least one Asian recipient. The $1000 honorarium promotes access to funding for groundbreaking research in theatre and performance studies and encourages recipients to engage with the ASTR community through conferences and mentoring.

The ASTR Selma Jeanne Cohen Conference Presentation Award supports scholars participating in plenary or working sessions at the ASTR conference. This award encourages exploration of the intersections between theatre and dance, providing funds for travel and hotel expenses. Eligible applicants include graduate students, independent scholars, and faculty members accepted to present at the 2025 conference. The award offers a $1000 honorarium and complimentary registration, promoting active engagement in ASTR's community.

The American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) David Keller Travel Grants support untenured scholars with terminal degrees in attending the annual ASTR conference. With up to three $800 honorariums and complimentary registration, the grants aim to foster active participation in the organization. Eligible recipients include independent scholars and adjunct faculty, with selection based on their interest and achievements in scholarship and service. This initiative enhances networking and professional development within the theatre research community.