Funding & Award Opportunities
 

Have an arts education program that you need to fund? Looking for an award to recognize your arts education efforts? Scroll down to see the latest arts education funding and award opportunities, compiled by ArtsEd Washington on a regular basis.

If you have a funding or award opportunity you would like us to post, please use this form to send a listing to Christine Bateman, Communications & Membership Manager.

 
Grants with
Application Deadlines
Grants with Ongoing Application Process
Grant Writing and
Research Resources
 
 
 
Grants with Application Deadlines
 
 
Accelerate, A Juried Exhibition of Young Emerging Artists with Disabilities
June 19, 2009
 
www.vsarts.org/PreBuilt/showcase/gallery/exhibits/vw/current/

VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. For this juried exhibition prizes will be awarded: Grand Prize: $20,000; First Award: $10,000; Second Award: $6,000; 12 Awards of Excellence: $2,000. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in 55 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
 

 
Surdna Arts Teachers Fellowship Program
Available July 1, 2009
 
http://www.surdna.org/programs/programs_show.htm?doc_id=326426&attrib_id=12040


Maximum Award: Teacher grants of $5,500 plus school grants of $1,500
Eligibility: Arts teachers from public arts high schools

Recognizing that such teachers often lack the time and resources to reconnect with the artistic processes they teach, the Program provides grants of up to $5,500 to enable selected teachers to make art with professionals in their disciplines and stay current with new practices and resources. A complementary grant of $1,500 is awarded to each Fellow's school to support related post-Fellowship activities.

The Surdna Foundation invites arts teachers from public arts high schools to apply for funding for artistic development through its Arts Teachers Fellowship Program. Eligible schools include specialized public arts high schools, as well as arts-focused, magnet and charter high schools. The program offers teachers the opportunity to immerse themselves in their own creative work, interact with other professional artists, and stay current with new practices.

The 2009 applications will be available online after July 1, 2009.


 

 
National Association of Elementary School Principals/MetLife Foundation Sharing the Dream Grants
July 8, 2009
 
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=253100010


Maximum Award: $3,000 grant
Eligibility: Elementary and Middle School Principals

A program of the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the MetLife Foundation, the Sharing the Dream Grants competition is designed to support elementary and middle school principals in their work to foster and encourage strong school-community relationships.

The program provides support to principals working to develop programs committed to heightening community leadership, communication, ownership, and involvement in their schools with the goal of improving achievement for all students. Program grants allow principals to test ideas about involving and engaging their communities to build greater ownership for the work of their school by sharing leadership and decision-making, by keeping all stakeholders informed about all school news, and by creating a school climate that fosters open communication, safety and security, and respect for every individual.


 

 
William T. Grant Foundation Fellowship
July 8, 2009
 
http://www.wtgrantfoundation.org/


Applications for the 2009-2010 cycle of the William T. Grant Scholars Program are due July 8, 2009. Awards will be announced in March 2010. Eligibility information, the Scholars Brochure, examples of successful proposals, and additional resources are available through the links below. Please note, all proposals should be submitted using our online system.

Learn more about the grant.
Applying for the grant.


 

 
Ruth & Harold Chenven Foundation
Individual Artist Funding
July 31, 2009
 
http://www.chenvenfoundation.org/howtoapply.html


Maximum Award: Individual awards of $1,500
Eligibility: Individual craft or visual artists

The Ruth & Harold Chenven Foundation gives annual awards to individual craftsperson and artists living and working in the United States, who are engaged in or planning a craft or visual art project. The RHCF does not accept film, video, performance art or music submissions. It is expected that applicants will be working artists who have a developed body of work.


 

 
 
NEA Student Achievement Grant
October 15, 2009
 
http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/StudentAchievement_Guidelines.htm


Maximum Award: $5,000
Eligibility: Applicants must be practicing U.S. public school teachers in grades PreK–12, public school education support professionals, or faculty or staff at public higher education institutions.

The NEA Foundation provides grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection.

Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority student success with honors, advanced placement, or other challenging curricula are particularly encouraged.


 

 
Grants with Ongoing Application Process
 

Guitar Center Music Foundation Offers Support for Music Instruction
Deadline:Open

The Guitar Center Music Foundation's mission is to aid nonprofit music programs across America that offer music instruction so that more people can experience the joys of making music. The Guitar Center Music Foundation accepts grant applications throughout the year from 501(c)(3) organizations. Qualifying applicants are established, ongoing, and sustainable music programs across the United States that provide music instruction to people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. The grant committee reviews all applications three times yearly, and grant awards range from $500 to $5,000 each. Details


Nathan Cummings Foundation Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

Nathan Cummings Foundation offers funding towards projects in the arts, the environment, health, and Jewish life. Arts funding supports education and advocacy with a focus on underserved communities and efforts to make existing institutions more accessible to disadvantaged groups. Open to nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education. The first step in the application process is a 1-2 page letter of inquiry to the foundation.To apply, click here.


Surdna Foundation Announces Request for Proposals
for Creative Writing Residencies for Teens
Deadline: Ongoing

The Surdna Foundation's Arts program, which funds organizations that provide intensive art-making experiences for teens, is launching a new initiative in support of young creative writers and seeks proposals to develop a summer creative writing retreat program for teens. All eligible artists' communities that have historically welcomed creative writers are encouraged to apply. To submit a letter of inquiry for this initiative, first contact Lynn Stern, Program Officer for the Arts at (212) 557-0010, ext. 254 or send e-mail to discuss program possibilities.


The Target Field Trip Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing

The Target Field Trip Grant program will award grants to schools across the United States for field trips in the spring of 2008. Learn more


Arts Education Grants from Airborne
Deadline: Ongoing

The Airborne Teacher Trust Fund has expanded to cover Washington and invites elementary and middle school teachers to submit proposals for art and music programs that their schools are unable to fund. Details


UPS Foundation Education Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

UPS Foundation Education Grants fund high impact philanthropic programs that raise the level of educational instruction, family learning opportunities, and school involvement projects. Maximum Award: varies. Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations. For more information and an application


Qwest Western States Teaching and Technology Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing

The Denver-based Qwest Foundation has announced the launch of the Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program, which will award a total of $900,000 in technology to teachers in twelve Western states including Washington. Details


Dana Foundation Support for Arts Education PD in Rural Areas
Deadline: Ongoing

Through its arts education grants program, the Dana Foundation supports innovative professional development programs leading to improved teaching of the performing arts in public schools. Beginning in 2007, the foundation will award grants to professional development programs in rural communities in the United States. Details


Culture for Kids Grant Program to Cover Field Trip Travel Costs
Deadline: Ongoing

The Patron Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that children have greater access to cultural and educational opportunities. During 2006, the organization says it will be making its Culture for Kids grant program available in communities nationwide. To receive information about how Culture for Kids can subsidize field trips in your community, please register to receive program updates at the website. Details


Mr. Holland's Opus Music Foundation Grants
Deadline: Ongoing

Mr. Holland's Opus Music Foundation Grants have two programs, The Melody Program that targets qualified school music programs in need of assistance, and The Special Projects Program that targets community schools of the arts, after school programs and youth orchestras in need of assistance. Maximum Award: Programs fund instrument repair and the acquisition of new instruments; no cash grants. Eligibility: school music programs K-12; community schools of the arts, after-school programs, and youth orchestras. Details


Grants for Arts Education and Health Projects
Deadline: Ongoing

The Milagro Foundation seeks grants applications from community-based, grass-roots organizations that work with underprivileged children and youth in the areas of arts, education, and health. Maximum award is $5000 and restricted to 501(c)3 organizations in the United States. Details


Green Foundation Seeks Grant Proposals
Deadline: Ongoing

The Green Foundation is dedicated to supporting institutions that focus on arts outreach and education and we continue to encourage growth in all areas of the arts. Priority is given to those institutions that promote the expansion of community arts programs and/or support youth and adult creativity in their regular schedules. Details


Classics for Kids Foundation provides matching grants
Deadline: Ongoing

Classics for Kids Foundation helps bring new, exceptionally fine stringed instruments and mentoring with world-renowned musicians to children while strengthening local community support for music education. Matching grants are open to new and established music programs nationally that serve children grades 3 through 12. Matching instrument grants typically range from $5,000-$40,000. Complete guidelines and applications can be provided by contacting the Foundation at cfkids@classicsforkids.org


Grants to Support Education, Child Advocacy, Medical Research & the Arts
Deadline: Ongoing

The Charles Lafitte Foundation Grants Program awards funds to help groups and individuals foster lasting improvement on the human condition by providing support to education, children's advocacy, medical research and the arts. Maximum award varies. 501(c)3 institutions are eligible. Details


Jenny's Heroes
Deadline: Ongoing

Jenny Jones, talk show host, is giving away $2 million to everyday individuals looking to make a tangible, lasting difference in their communities. For more information and to apply online, visit http://www.jennysheroes.com/

 
Grant Writing / Research Resources
 

Show Me the Money: Tips & Resources for Successful Grant Writing
Many educators have found that outside funding, in the form of grants, allows them to provide their students with educational experiences and materials their own districts can't afford. Learn how they get those grants -- and how you can get one too. Included: Practical tips to help first-time grant writers get the grants they need. Details


Free Grants Search from The NonProfit Times

The NonProfit Times launched an online portal that gives free access to corporate donation data for fundraising research to nonprofit grant writers and others researchers. The portal’s address is www.nptgrantsearch.com. The research portal was launched with more than 4,300 searchable records of corporate donations valued at $1 million or more to U.S. charities.

The only free service of its kind, users can search, view, and save information about the corporate donor, recipient organization, size of gift, and year of donation. Nonprofits can research current donors and create customized prospect lists to assist in solicitation planning. Access is available immediately at www.nptgrantsearch.com or from NPT’s home page.

The School Funding Center - Get a Grant for Your School Today
More than 110,000 school grants are awarded to both individual U.S. campuses and entire districts each year. We monitor more than 4000 websites, newsletters, and other grant sources to give you The School Funding Center grant database-----the one central location where educators can find every federal, state, & foundation grant available to their schools. These grants are worth over $6.5 billion. Want your share? Don't bother subscribing to other newsletters or grant sources. Our newsletter is free, and we have every grant available to every school in our database. You won't need to search anywhere else. The School Funding Center

Identifying the Right Grant-Makers for Your Program
Identifying the right grant-maker for any program or project is a straightforward, step-by-step process that can greatly increase your organization's chances of securing grant funding. Click here to learn more.

 

Past Economic Downturns and the Outlook for Foundation Giving
"Since the current economic crisis began in the latter half of 2007, we at the Foundation Center have been fielding questions about the possible impact of a downturn on foundation giving. Each new bank buyout or failure, stock market drop, or prediction of a long and deep recession has led to renewed concerns about the health of the nonprofit sector and of the foundations that serve as one of their sources of support." Full Article