Best Grants for Dance Nonprofit Organizations in Maryland

Maryland dance and arts nonprofits can access funding through the Maryland State Arts Council’s Grants for Organizations program for annual general operating or ongoing arts program support. Eligible applicants include arts organizations and non-arts nonprofits, as well as units of local government, colleges, and universities, with awards of more than US $50,000 in Maryland.

Maryland school districts and local education agencies seeking to strengthen dance and other fine arts instruction can access funding through the Maryland State Department of Education’s Fine Arts Initiative Grant. Grants support pre-K–12 programs in dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts that align with state fine arts standards and COMAR 13A.04.16.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on dance, arts, children, literacy, social justice, or environmental programs can seek project or programming support, typically up to US $5,000. Grants from Nora Roberts Foundation help both local and non-local organizations, with flexibility to cover general operating costs when tied directly to funded programming.

Women-identifying individual artists in the U.S., including those working in dance and performance, can apply for New York Foundation for the Arts’ Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants, offering up to US $20,000 for environmental art projects. Grants support existing projects with free public engagement components running through August 2026.

Maryland arts and cultural nonprofits offering programs in the arts and sciences, especially those engaging young people, can access funding through the William Randolph Hearst Foundation; awards are typically more than US $100,000. Eligible U.S.-based 501(c)(3) institutions with audited expenses over $2 million may seek program, capital, or limited general support, including for dance and ballet education or artist development.

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 advancing measurement and evaluation in health and physical education can be honored through this national lifetime achievement award, open to eligible professionals in Maryland and beyond. With a mission to advance professional practice and research, Society of Health and Physical Educators recognizes a substantial, career-long scholarly record in this specialty area.

Current SHAPE America members across the U.S., including Maryland, can apply for the NAGWS Legacy Award to support projects that increase opportunities for girls and women in sport, such as research, after-school programs, or leadership development. Society of Health and Physical Educators provides a US $1,000 monetary award presented at its National Convention & Exposition.

New and current NDP dance grantees and U.S.-based presenters or curatorial staff can receive up to US $500 for domestic travel to plan touring of NDP-funded works, including those reaching Maryland. New England Foundation for the Arts supports trips that strengthen relationships and assess feasibility for presenting NDP projects in communities nationwide.

Maryland graduate students in dance, physical education, health, or recreation can access funding through the Society of Health and Physical Educators’ Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship. Awards of US $1,750 support full-time master’s or doctoral students who are SHAPE America members with strong academics and leadership; eligible dance-focused students may benefit.

Undergraduate students in Maryland majoring in dance, health, physical education, recreation, or related fields can receive US $1,250 through the Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship to support their studies. Focused on academic excellence and leadership, Society of Health and Physical Educators awards three undergraduate scholarships annually, including to those preparing for work with dance-focused nonprofits.

Children and adults with cystic fibrosis seeking support for horseback riding, dance, or golf can receive up to US $750 for activity fees, with payments made directly to providers. Focused on active living, BreatheStrong CF invites eligible California residents to apply; Maryland dance nonprofits may share this opportunity with individual dancers who have CF.

Native performing artists and Native-led dance, theater, music, or multidisciplinary performing arts organizations in Maryland can receive US $30,000 for live productions that are actively in development or presentation. First Peoples Fund supports U.S.-based Native creators 18+ with tribal enrollment, descent, or ancestry documentation for in-person or virtual performances featuring multiple Native artists.

Public and nonprofit private Pre-K–12 schools in Anne Arundel County can receive up to US $5,000 to bring dance, music, theater, history, and arts-integrated performances and residencies into classrooms. Arts Council of Anne Arundel County supports programs using approved teaching artist rosters, with preference for Title I schools and options for matching funds waivers.

High school seniors in New Jersey pursuing post-secondary studies in dance, drama, visual arts, or music can receive $5,000 to support tuition through this arts scholarship. Grants from Arts Council of the Morris Area help students with demonstrated artistic excellence, particularly Morris County residents, who plan to further their arts education and training.

Maryland dance organizations can access funding through Arts Council of the Morris Area’s Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship, which awards US $1,500 for arts-focused higher education. Graduating high school seniors in New Jersey who are Morris County residents and demonstrate excellence in dance, drama, visual arts, or music may be eligible.

Professional dance and other performing ensembles in Maryland can seek general operating or project support for live performances of contemporary American classical concert music. Focused on classical music, opera, and dance, the Alice M. Ditson Fund supports organizations (or those with 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors) that champion younger and relatively unknown living American composers.

Graduate students from eligible Asian countries pursuing full-time, in-residence dance or related arts degrees in Maryland or elsewhere in the U.S. can receive US $15,000 for travel and living expenses for one academic year. Asian Cultural Council supports arts-focused international study; dance-focused nonprofits may share this with prospective graduate students in their networks.

Individual dance artists, scholars, and arts professionals in Maryland and across eligible countries can seek funding for self-directed research and cultural exchange projects through the Asian Cultural Council Individual Fellowship. Focused on arts and cultural immersion, this fellowship supports travel-based inquiry, collaboration, and dialogue that may benefit those connected with dance nonprofit organizations.

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.