Grant Opportunity for Mid-Size Theaters

Supported by an Anonymous Foundation
March 2015

This grant program will support Chicago’s vibrant and thriving theater scene. The donor recognizes that theaters require financial support at a level that exceeds ticket sales, and that human capital is a critical element in the success of a theater’s mission. The Foundation is accordingly committed to helping theaters develop their infrastructure in order to support artistic excellence. The Foundation will provide a three-year commitment of $25,000 per year to support human capital and infrastructure as determined by the organization, whether in the areas of management, fundraising, operations, or artistic development or execution. Grantees must submit satisfactory annual progress reports each year. For 2015 the Foundation expects to award grants to two or three mid-sized theater organizations, to be selected through a competitive process.

Grants are designed to help mid-sized theaters build or strengthen their artistic, administrative, operational, or fundraising capacity so that theaters are well positioned to achieve their artistic missions.

In a proposal to the Foundation, theaters should articulate how funding for designated positions will strengthen the organization, and therefore the ability to carry out the theater’s artistic endeavors. Proposals should indicate what metrics the theater will develop and implement to assess its progress during the course of the grant.

To be eligible, theaters must:
- Be located in the city of Chicago.
- Have annual budgets between $250,000 and $1.5 million.
- Be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing.
- Present a season of at least three main stage productions.

To apply, theaters must:
- Submit a proposal (maximum of 10 pages) describing the history, mission, programs and activities of the organization. The proposal should describe the intended use of the funds and how/why the support will advance the theater’s work. Theaters should indicate the measures of success they will report as evidence of the strengthened capacity of staff to achieve the organization’s mission. The proposal should also indicate mileposts to be achieved in six-month increments. Required attachments include:
o Most recently completed financial audit.
o IRS determination letter of 501(c)(3) status.
o Board of Directors list.
o Current budget.
o List of other sources of funding.
- Participate in a site visit with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors staff.

Proposals are due by May 1, 2015. Applications will be reviewed by foundation trustees and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors staff. Recipients will be notified of decisions in June.

To submit proposals and for questions, please contact Jon Quinn at Jquinn@rockpa.org or 312-324-0733.