Best Grants for Performing Arts in California

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

California 501(c)(3) organizations seeking program or project support in performing arts can apply for funding from the Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation. The foundation primarily supports program development in New York and southern California, and also funds work in education, health, human services, scientific research, Jewish causes, and animal advocacy.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits running community-based music or visual arts programs can receive up to US $2,500 for scholarships, performances, educational materials, and similar projects. Grants from Hind Foundation help California arts and culture organizations, including those in the performing arts, that fit its funding areas and demonstrate lasting community benefit.

California performing arts and cultural 501(c)(3) organizations can receive up to US $5,000 to present projects that deepen understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Focused on Japanese arts programming, the United States-Japan Foundation supports performances, exhibitions, film screenings, lectures, and symposia, covering costs like publicity, artist honoraria, travel, shipping, and facility fees within the 13 western states.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering vocational, arts, or enrichment programs for youth 18 and under in the San Francisco Bay Area can seek funding for pre-vocational, vocational, and related training. With a mission to support innovative education, Miranda Lux Foundation provides California performing and visual arts programs that build core job skills with grant support.

Nonprofit organizations providing direct services in Los Angeles County can seek funding for performing arts, education, health, and human services needs. Ralph M. Parsons Foundation provides California nonprofits with flexible support for general operations, capital projects, programs, and staff positions, prioritizing groups that enrich civic and cultural life and serve vulnerable communities.

California nonprofits, public schools, and school districts supporting children, youth, and families can access funding through S H Cowell Foundation for place-based programs in Northern and Central California communities facing acute poverty. Performing arts and other youth programs that advance education, mental health, racial equity, and community development may be competitive when rooted in local resident leadership.

Nonprofit arts organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in California’s Los Angeles County can receive two-year support for arts programming, events, and related operating activities that serve local communities. Grants from Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture help California performing and visual arts organizations fund planning, implementation, and small or large projects, with awards up to US $250,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public entities in California serving Los Angeles County can seek $100,000 - $1,000,000 for arts and culture, including performing arts, education, health, and community services projects. Grants from W. M. Keck Foundation help expand, pilot, or scale high-impact initiatives for low-income children, youth, families, and special needs populations.

With a mission to strengthen performing arts, Gilroy Foundation provides California schools and municipal agencies with approximately US $10,000 for impactful dance, music, theatre, opera, and related programs. Eligible applicants include Gilroy public and private schools and the City of Gilroy, primarily serving South Santa Clara County communities such as Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill.

California 501(c)(3) organizations seeking support for education, social services, health care, civic or cultural, or environmental projects can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000. Focused on broad community improvement, Dr Scholl Foundation invites nonprofits whose work may include performing arts components within these categories to request annual funding.

Nonprofit organizations running school-connected arts programs for economically vulnerable youth ages 5–18 in California’s Bay Area can apply for Morris Stulsaft Foundation support. Focused on participation in the arts, it invites California performing and visual arts programs in Alameda, Marin, northern San Mateo, San Francisco, and west Contra Costa counties to provide at least 15 hours of immersive instruction.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in California planning community festivals in Berkeley can receive up to US $7,000 for event-related costs. Focused on community culture and heritage, the City of Berkeley invites performing arts and cultural festival organizers to fund artist stipends, equipment, production staff, materials, and venue or permit fees.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering academic and cultural enrichment, including performing arts programs for children and youth, can apply for Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation grants of US $5,000 - US $20,000. Eligible organizations serve communities in the Santa Clarita Valley, San Francisco, or Santa Maria Valley areas and may request single- or multi-year program support.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits, education institutions, youth organizations, and other eligible charities can seek funding for education, STEM, literacy, workforce development, and youth development projects through PacifiCorp/Pacific Power/Rocky Mountain Power Foundation. Grants up to US $10,000 support programs in Del Norte, Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, and other Pacific Power service-area counties, which may include performing arts components tied to education or youth development.

Nonprofit schools and school-affiliated groups in Carlsbad, California can receive up to US $3,500 per grant to deliver arts-focused programs, activities, and events, including performing arts. City of Carlsbad Cultural Arts Division funding supports projects involving professional artists, spanning performing, visual, digital, culinary, creative writing, and STEAM arts, with up to three grants per school site annually.

California 501(c)(3) arts and culture nonprofits with Santa Clara County as their home base can receive general operating support for performances, productions, and exhibitions open to the public. Focused on artistic vibrancy, diversity, and accessibility, Silicon Valley Creates invites organizations with budgets between $250,000 and $1.5 million to strengthen their local cultural impact.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

Nonprofit professional theatres producing contemporary, issue-driven plays in California and other eligible Western states can receive US $10,000 - US $25,000 for productions and organizational change projects. Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation funds artistic, production, and community engagement costs, plus limited change capital for new business models, community connection efforts, or support for new leaders.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, educational institutions, youth groups, cultural organizations, and health and human services providers in California communities served by Pacific Power can seek funding for community enhancement and environmental respect projects. With a mission to support local vitality, PacifiCorp/Pacific Power/Rocky Mountain Power Foundation provides grants up to US $10,000 for efforts like affordable housing, community centers, parks, trails, and conservation.

Grants support 501(c)(3) organizations providing performing arts, education, health, human services, religion, and related programs in California’s Los Angeles County and South Dakota, with awards of US $5,000 - US $20,000. Grants from Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation prioritize social services for women, including domestic violence survivors, mentally ill women, and programs offering housing, self-sufficiency, and music or theater opportunities.

California 501(c)(3) presenters, tribal governments, public agencies, and higher education institutions can use this funding to present touring performers and literary artists in their communities. Creative West provides US $2,000 - US $3,000 for artist fees, travel, facilities, accessibility, marketing, and related administration, prioritizing rural and underserved Western-region audiences and requiring a 1:1 non-federal cash match for most applicants.

San Luis Obispo County nonprofits and fiscally sponsored projects working in arts and culture, environment, health, or human services can seek program support through this competitive general grants program in California. The San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation offers up to US $20,000 for work delivered within the county, including performing arts that engage youth, diversify audiences, and enhance community well-being.

Aspiring artistic and managing directors in the San Francisco Bay Area performing arts scene can apply with a partner theatre company for Theatre Bay Area’s Arts Leadership Residency, which awards US $12,000 for a 12–16 week residency. Eligible Bay Area theatre companies and residents jointly design a mentored leadership role and significant creative project.

Performing arts and cultural nonprofits in California counties served by Pacific Power can apply for Pacific Power Foundation grants up to US $10,000 to support arts festivals, music, theater, museums, and visual arts. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and some government entities in Del Norte, Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, and other listed counties may benefit.

Performing arts and other arts nonprofits in California communities served by Rocky Mountain Power or Pacific Power can apply for Rocky Mountain Power Foundation’s competitive grants, awarding US $2,000 - US $5,000 for arts and culture programming. Eligible 501(c)(3) cultural organizations, educational institutions, and related groups in the listed service-area counties may benefit.