Best Grants for Dance Nonprofit Organizations in Virgin Islands

Professional dancers facing dire financial emergencies in the Virgin Islands and other U.S. locations can receive up to US $3,000 for essential living expenses. New York Foundation for the Arts administers the Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants to cover up to three months of costs like rent, utilities, food, healthcare, transportation, and limited dance-related expenses.

Early mid-career individual artists and scholars in dance, theater, and performance studies can receive US $40,000 fellowships to devote substantial time to new creative or scholarly work while living and working in the U.S. or its territories, including the Virgin Islands. Grants from George A and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation are unrestricted and primarily support time for intellectual and artistic development.

Professional performing ensembles, dance companies, and contemporary music institutions presenting works by younger or under-recognized living American composers can seek general operating or project support, including in the Virgin Islands. With a mission to advance contemporary American classical concert music, The Alice M. Ditson Fund accepts applications directly or via 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors.

Women-identifying individual artists creating environmental art projects in the Virgin Islands can apply for up to US $20,000 to advance in-progress work with free public engagement. Focused on environmental themes such as regeneration, eco-social engagement, and climate issues, New York Foundation for the Arts supports projects that may involve dance or performance components.

Nonprofit cultural institutions in the U.S. offering arts or science programs, including those serving the Virgin Islands, can apply for more than US $100,000 to support youth-focused cultural programming, capital needs, or limited general support. Grants from William Randolph Hearst Foundation help organizations in culture, arts education, and artist development with demonstrable, lasting impact and strong financial capacity.

Dance and physical education professionals in the Virgin Islands engaged in K–12 or community health education may be eligible for the Measurement and Evaluation Honor Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to SHAPE America’s Measurement and Evaluation SIG. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators honor members advancing measurement and evaluation in health, physical education, dance, and sport.

Dance and physical education professionals in the Virgin Islands who are SHAPE America members can be honored for lifetime scholarly work in measurement and evaluation. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators help recognize those advancing theory and research in health, physical education, dance, and related K–12 fields, including community health education and physical fitness.

Dance and sports educators in the Virgin Islands can seek US $1,000 to support projects advancing opportunities for girls and women in sport, including dance-focused initiatives. With a mission to advance health and physical education, SHAPE America provides current members with funding for research, professional development, after-school programs, speakers, or graduate projects honoring the NAGWS legacy.

U.S.-based dance presenters, curators, residency directors, and NDP-supported dance artists planning tours can receive up to US $500 for domestic travel to advance NDP-funded projects, including those reaching the Virgin Islands. Grants from New England Foundation for the Arts help cover in-person meetings, site visits, and relationship-building that support future touring of funded dance works.

Graduate students in health, physical education, recreation, or dance across the U.S., including the Virgin Islands, can receive the Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship for US $1,750 to support their studies. With a mission to advance professional practice, Society of Health and Physical Educators provides SHAPE America members with recognition, funding, and a three-year membership for outstanding academic and leadership achievement.

Focused on higher education in health, physical education, recreation, or dance, this scholarship supports SHAPE America undergraduate student members across the U.S., including the Virgin Islands. Eligible juniors and seniors with a 3.5 GPA or higher can receive US $1,250 plus a three-year SHAPE America membership for their academic and leadership excellence.

Children and adults with cystic fibrosis seeking support for dance activities can receive up to US $750 for fees, with payments made directly to the provider. Virgin Islands dance organizations serving eligible individuals may benefit from BreatheStrong CF’s Loretta Morris Memorial Grants, which prioritize California residents but are open more broadly for specified activities.

Native-led performing arts organizations, businesses, and collectives producing live dance, theater, music, or multidisciplinary performances in the U.S., including Virgin Islands, can access funding through First Peoples Fund’s Native Performing Arts Live Production Grant. Awards of US $30,000 support Native-led live productions in active stages, featuring multiple Native performers and grounded in Native culture and heritage.

High school seniors pursuing dance, drama, visual arts, or music studies can apply for the Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship, a US $5,000 award for arts education. Focused on supporting artistic excellence, Arts Council of the Morris Area funds Morris County, New Jersey students planning accredited post-secondary arts programs; dance-focused youth programs in the Virgin Islands may find this model informative.

Graduating high school seniors in New Jersey pursuing dance, drama, visual arts, or music studies can receive the Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship, awarding US $1,500 toward tuition. Focused on nurturing young artists, Arts Council of the Morris Area invites Morris County residents planning accredited post-secondary arts programs to apply with work samples and recommendations.

Graduate students from eligible Asian countries pursuing full-time arts or cultural graduate programs in the U.S. can receive US $15,000 for travel and living expenses for one academic year. Grants from Asian Cultural Council help students in fields like dance and related disciplines, including those whose studies connect to work in places like the Virgin Islands.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the greater Chicago area working in dance, arts, education, human services, health, or conservation can seek McGraw Foundation grants, typically US $2,000 - US $10,000. With a mission to support education, human services, and conservation, McGraw Foundation provides single-year operating, project, and occasional capital support that may benefit dance-focused organizations.

Graduate students in the U.S. focusing on psychomotor measurement and evaluation can use this award to cover professional expenses, including work connected to dance and physical education. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators help eligible SHAPE America and Measurement and Evaluation SIG members, including those in the Virgin Islands, continue at least one more year of academic training.

Individual health, physical education, and dance educators in the U.S., including those in the Virgin Islands, can be honored through the Luther Halsey Gulick Award for long and distinguished professional service. Society of Health and Physical Educators recognizes SHAPE America members with at least ten years of membership and prior national-level professional recognition.

Early-career health or physical education researchers in the U.S. whose work includes dance-related curriculum and instruction may be eligible for the Helen M. Heitmann Young Scholar Award. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators help recognize impactful scholarship in curriculum and instruction, including contributions relevant to dance education in the Virgin Islands.

The E.B. Henderson Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors minority members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy for ethnic minorities within health and physical education. Established in 1885, SHAPE America serves over 200,000 professionals, promoting high-quality education standards. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to increasing the participation of underserved populations in the field. Limited to two awards annually, it highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in health education.

The Curriculum and Instruction Honor Award, presented by SHAPE America, recognizes outstanding contributions to health and physical education curriculum research. This prestigious award highlights the importance of effective instructional practices that prepare students for active and healthy lives. Award recipients are selected based on their scholarship in health education and physical education, demonstrating commitment to excellence since the organization's founding in 1885. SHAPE America advocates for quality education and promotes the well-being of preK-12 students across the United States.

The SHAPE America Major of the Year Award recognizes exemplary undergraduate students in health, physical education, recreation, and dance. This prestigious accolade aims to highlight nominees who demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to service within their communities. Faculty members from colleges and universities are encouraged to nominate one outstanding student per major, ensuring that the next generation of health educators is celebrated for their achievements and contributions to the field.

The SHAPE America: Joy of Effort Award recognizes dedicated individuals who exemplify the spirit of commitment and passion in health and physical education. Awardees are current SHAPE America members with at least three years of membership, demonstrating excellence in teaching, coaching, or leadership. This prestigious award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the field, inspiring others to lead healthy, active lives through their efforts in education and advocacy.

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.

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.

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.