Best Grants for Performing Arts in Kansas

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving greater Kansas City can seek project, capacity-building, or capital funding for initiatives including performing arts, healthcare, education, social services, and Jewish community programs. Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation awards US $150,000 - US $500,000, prioritizing transformational change and improved outcomes for low-income, underserved residents in Jackson, Clay, Platte, Wyandotte, and Johnson counties.

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits with innovative human services or social problem–solving programs may be eligible for funding that can also support creative performing arts initiatives. Creag Foundation supports organizations developing new approaches to societal issues, including those using performance, arts, or culture as a vehicle for impact, by invitation following a letter of inquiry.

Kansas 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth through health, education, development, or welfare programs can seek up to US $15,000 for direct services and enrichment. Focused on child welfare, poverty, homelessness, environment, and refugee enrichment, the Dan Paul Foundation invites projects that may include youth-focused performing arts components advancing these goals.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

Nonprofit and NGO programs using technology for crisis response, education access, economic empowerment, or climate resilience in Kansas and worldwide can apply for Cisco Systems Foundation’s Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Organizations must primarily serve economically underserved communities and submit a letter of inquiry before a full application.

Educational institutions, government programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and 501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies in Kansas can seek State Farm Companies Foundation support for safety, education, and community development initiatives. With a mission to build safer, stronger, better-educated communities, State Farm provides funding for projects like disaster preparedness, affordable housing, financial literacy, and K–12 or higher education programs that may complement performing arts outreach.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

Nonprofit and community presenters in Kansas can apply for funding to bring professional artists from the Kansas Touring Roster to local and underserved audiences, with awards from US $1,000 - US $10,000. Grants from Kansas Department of Commerce help Kansas performing arts and other arts organizations integrate arts into non-arts content, interpret exhibitions or performances, and support community development.

Nonprofit organizations working on health, education, or community services in Kansas may be eligible for funding to support food access, healthcare for underserved populations, STEM education, or healthy lifestyle initiatives. Focused on community well-being, Labcorp Charitable Foundation invites U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, including those with performing arts programming that advances these goals, to apply.

Kansas performing arts organizations serving urban low-income children and youth through education, health, or family economic stability programs can access funding through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation for project support or scaling efforts. Eligible entities include nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, and public agencies in the U.S., with awards of more than US $50,000 that cover only a portion of total budgets.

Kansas performing and visual arts 501(c)(3) organizations can receive funding for general operations, programs, specific productions, fundraising events, and capital campaigns in the greater Kansas City area. The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation primarily supports arts groups in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, with a mission to enhance the quality and accessibility of the arts.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Russell County Area Community Foundation

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is an Affiliate Foundation of Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation with all funds managed by GNWKCF.

At the Russell County Area Community Foundation, we believe in hometowns and preserving our rural way of life. Our mission is to help people invest in meaningful ways to make a difference in the community by building permanent endowment funds and meeting charitable community needs. RCACF was founded in 2001 to benefit the communities in the Russell County area. We are an affiliate of Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, a 501c3 organization. This helps us effectively pool resources with other foundations for community growth. Our local board of directors provides leadership on decisions that directly impact our communities.

Russell Area Youth Activities Fund

Helping Youth Participate, Learn & Thrive

Removing financial barriers so every child has the opportunity to grow, explore, and succeed.

The Russell Area Youth Activities Fund is designed to promote the health and well-being of children and to encourage healthy lifestyles through involvement in extra-curricular activities, including athletics, performing arts, visual arts, and literacy programs.

Important Information

• Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Financial need must be demonstrated.
• Grant payments are made directly to the activity provider on behalf of the child.

How Can the Russell Area Youth Activities Fund Help?

The fund provides financial assistance so local youth can participate in activities they might otherwise be unable to afford. 

Kansas arts-focused nonprofits and very small organizations in Kansas can receive US $1,000 - US $2,000 to support cultural projects, exhibitions, series, arts education, and other arts programming. Grants from Kansas Department of Commerce help Kansas performing arts and other grassroots arts groups fund short-term projects, with a required 1:1 cash and in-kind match.

Charlotte Street

What We Do

• Provide annual cash awards, project based grants, special commissions and specific travel opportunities to visual and generative performing artists
• Provide free studios and performance and exhibition spaces to theater, dance, music, film/video and visual artists for the creation and presentation of new work
• Facilitate venues and opportunities for public exposure to these exhibitions and performances, and facilitate artistic collaboration and exchange
• Plan and collaborate on behalf of Kansas City artists and the arts community with philanthropic, business and civic leaders
• Engage national philanthropic and cultural leaders with Kansas City artists and the arts community

Creative Confluence Fund: Strengthening Arts-Engaged Organizations

ArtsKC, Charlotte Street, and the Hall Family Foundation are requesting proposals for capacity-building support for art-focused, small organizations (annual budget at or below $500,000) located or serving key geographic areas that represent a broad swath of art forms, offering accessible programming to our community. 

Selected organizations will represent diverse artistic disciplines and forms of social engagement and must provide accessible programming for communities in the geographic areas of the Historic Northeast, Eastside Kansas City, and Northeast Wyandotte County.

• Fifteen arts-engaged organizations will receive $15,000 in unrestricted funding per year for two years.
• ArtsKC will provide capacity-building assessments, subject matter experts, and project implementation support (value of up to $10,000 per year per organization).
• Grantees will be expected to work with ArtsKC to carry out their capacity-building initiatives as well as share learnings with other awardees in a cohort model, which may include artist awardees as well.
• Documentation, evaluation, and/or presentations on projects will be required.

This project seeks to build organizations’ long-term viability, including growing community engagement, stabilizing finances and personnel, identifying and resolving organizational needs, strategic planning, developing evaluation metrics and competencies, or other identified priorities. 

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on community vitality, basic needs, or volunteer-driven programs can access funding through Ameriprise Financial to support efforts like hunger relief, shelters, economic development, arts education, and cultural enrichment. Organizations must serve U.S. communities, show measurable outcomes and financial stability, and may receive priority if Ameriprise employees or advisors actively volunteer with them.

Performing arts 501(c)(3) organizations presenting public music performances in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, including Kansas counties, can receive up to US $5,000 for projects or general operating support. Grants from the Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Enrichment Fund help groups enrich community cultural life through high-quality, broadly accessible music programming completed within one year.

Kansas performing arts and arts organizations can access funding to host professional visiting artists and deepen arts programming for local and underserved audiences. Kansas Department of Commerce’s Kansas Arts Commission Arts Everywhere Visiting Artists grants support projects across disciplines, including theater, music, dance, and other arts forms, with awards up to US $10,000 requiring a 1:1 match.

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits and aligned for-profit organizations seeking to share their impact through storytelling projects can access funding through the Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation. This national Storytelling Grant supports organizations working in its preservation, education, or wellness pillars, which may include performing arts groups whose missions fit these focus areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving economic stability, health, literacy, workforce readiness, or disaster relief services in Kansas communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts operates can seek project, general operating, or capital support. O'Reilly Automotive Foundation focuses on underserved and underrepresented individuals and families through community-benefit programs across the U.S.

Kansas 501(c)(3) public charities with programs in safety, workforce development, community vitality, or environmental sustainability can apply for Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $30,000. Performing arts and cultural organizations may be eligible when projects serve Union Pacific communities and align with these priority cause areas and DEI goals.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Kansas seeking funding for environmental, human services, or related programs can apply for unrestricted grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000. Lawrence Foundation supports general operating or project needs, and performing arts groups may be eligible if their work fits these priorities.

Kansas 501(c)(3) organizations in education, arts and culture, health, or human services can seek Kerr Foundation support for capital, program, or operating needs. Focused on arts and culture, The Kerr Foundation invites performing arts nonprofits to propose projects that create new or enhanced opportunities, particularly for young people, within its multistate granting area.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Performing arts and other arts-focused 501(c)(3) organizations, government units, and tribal entities in Kansas and the broader M-AAA region can apply for Mid-America Arts Alliance’s Regional Touring Grant Program; awards up to US $5,000 for matching support of touring artist fees. Eligible projects feature in-region touring artists, public presentations, and outreach activities.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations near TJX locations in Kansas can seek funding for basic needs, youth enrichment, workforce readiness, and domestic violence safety programs. With a mission to help vulnerable families and children build better futures, The Tjx Foundation invites eligible groups, including those offering after-school or support services for at-risk youth in performing arts settings, to begin with an eligibility questionnaire and letter of inquiry.