Apply For A Grant
Grants For Arts Organizations
Grantmaking Program
WHAT WE DO
We advance children’s education through the performing arts and help fund community arts organizations including great performances at the Sandler Center.
SCF's Philosophy
We believe our role extends beyond writing a check to fund a program. We believe in good governance, prudent fiscal management, and making sure our grantees are or become the strongest they can be to serve the community.
Our Support Includes:
- Leveraging Our Nationwide Network of Program Providers, Business Contacts, Schools, Research Universities, Technology Partners, and more
- Guidance on Governance, 501(c)(3) Setup, and Finance
- Connections with Partners Working in Your Field, Both Locally and Nationally
- Guidance and Support Throughout the Entire Grant Application and Reporting Process
FY25 Application cycle complete.
Inquiry emails regarding future programming and partnerships may be sent to impact@sandlercenterfoundation.org
PROVIDING GRANTS FOR THE ARTS AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
The Sandler Center Foundation seeks to support underwriting of projects that provide access to arts education services for individuals and communities, with special emphasis on projects that provide services to individuals classified as low-income, or economically underserved, including those individuals with a disability.
Your support makes a huge impact in these communities. Help us continue our mission in these underserved communities.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
The Sandler Center Foundation provides support to organizations that address the following:
- Embody the mission of the Sandler Center Foundation.
- Have a track record of collaboration and successful partnerships.
- Can showcase a thorough marketing plan for helping to promote the funding partnership.
ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY
- Nonprofit organizations that demonstrated tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Service code 501(c)(3).
- Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Resident Companies; or organizations with existing partnerships with the Sandler Center Foundation.
- Other performing arts groups or touring performance organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require a Letter or Inquiry prior to applying for support.
REQUIREMENTS
- Programming must take place at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, in the Coastal Virginia community, or provide accessibility to the arts utilizing digital tools and resources.
- Programs must provide more than 50% of education services (program, not organizationally) to low-income persons.
DEFINITIONS
“Low-income person” means an individual whose family's annual household income is not in excess of 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, as defined in this subsection below. For purposes of these guidelines, “household income” is based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s definition of income, which is used for computing poverty statistics, and the U.S. Census Bureau’s definition of household.
“Education services” means any of the following provided to low-income persons or eligible students with a disability: (1) scholastic instruction; (2) counseling or supportive services to elementary school, middle school, secondary school, or postsecondary school students or their parents in developing a postsecondary academic or career training plan, including college financing options for such students or their parents; or (3) scholarships (excluding waiver of tuition or program fees).
"Eligible student with a disability" means a student (i) for whom an individualized educational program has been written and finalized in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), regulations promulgated pursuant to IDEA, and regulations of the Board of Education and (ii) whose family's annual household income is not in excess of 400 percent of the current poverty guidelines, as defined in this subsection below.
EQUALITY STATEMENT
The Sandler Center Foundation does not discriminate against organizations or individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected under law.
GUIDELINES
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through June 30, 2025.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their application prior to submission.
- Generally, grants will be awarded on a per project basis up to $15,000.
- Organizations may submit multiple requests for programmatic support.
EXCLUSIONS
The Sandler Center Foundation does not provide grants for:
- Government agencies
- Individuals
- Political campaigns or lobbying organizations
- Endowments
