PERFORMING ARTS

SUPPORTING ARTISTS AND CULTURAL GROUPS

Artists are vital contributors to a healthy society that is rich with culture, connection, and joy. The Foundation’s support of performing artists and arts organizations aims to sustain careers and cultural groups so artists can continue to create and perform for the betterment of our communities.

Our interest in performing arts stems from Elizabeth Walder’s experience as an individual artist. Growing up in a musical household, Elizabeth is an accomplished clarinet player, and she spent many years performing and touring with classical and ethnic ensembles.

Funding opportunities are by invitation only. The Foundation issues specific application invitations and instructions for each grant cycle. The information below is intended to provide a general overview of our grantmaking strategies, eligibility, and timing.

 STRATEGIES AND FOCUS AREAS

The Performing Arts program seeks to support working artists and cultural laborers to function within an equitable, sustainable, and vibrant performing arts sector with ample opportunities to thrive in their art and lives. We see this overall strategy containing three focus areas:

Thriving Artists & Creative Workers

The foundation supports a diverse array of accomplished performing artists who represent the unique attributes of the greater Chicago region. This support is reflected through individual artist grant awards, venue support to producers and presenters of local performing artists, and initiatives that address or support professional development for performing artists.

Sustainable & Equitable Organizations

The foundation supports project grants that aim to build capacity, support innovation, and develop sustainable models for nonprofit performing arts organizations with an ongoing commitment to equitable practices.

An Aligned & Collaborative Sector

The foundation supports programs and endeavors that seek to advocate, collaborate, and build the performing arts field locally. This includes efforts to build audiences, inspire policy change, and convene artists around issues in the sector.

GRANTEE STORIES

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Funding opportunities are by invitation only. The Foundation recognizes that there are numerous organizations and projects that align with the performing arts pillar’s goals of supporting an equitable, sustainable, and vibrant performing arts sector. The Foundation’s strategic priorities have been identified as underfunded areas where additional resources can be most impactful and align with the founders’ vision. As a learning organization, the Foundation is continuously iterating, adapting, and evolving its approaches and grantmaking criteria.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be a registered Section 501(c)(3) organization classified as a Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charity, or a project within a fiscal sponsor organization that meets this requirement

• Applicants must be either located in the greater Chicago metropolitan region or whose work will be centered on the communities within Chicago

• The primary area of work is in the field(s) of performing arts (music, theater, dance, and interdisciplinary performance)

• Organizations or programs that have an annual budget between $100,000 - $5,000,000

• Additional eligibility requirements will apply to specific funding opportunities and/or strategy areas

Walder Foundation encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply, including those with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

We do not fund projects or organizations that perpetuate any form of hate, discrimination, or intolerance.

We generally do not fund

• Fundraising events and season sponsorships

• Political action groups, political campaigns, lobbying activities, or 501(c)4 affiliates

• Projects intended to influence legislation, to influence the outcome of any election for public office, to carry on any voter registration drive, or to undertake any activity for a purpose other than charitable, scientific, educational, or other purposes specified in Section 170(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code

• Religious activities

• General operating support (excluding indirect costs)

• Community, civic, or volunteer performing arts groups

• Commissions of new work or production costs

• Organizations whose primary mission is youth arts education/performance or social service

GRANT CYCLES

Funding opportunities are by invitation only. The Performing Arts pillar aims to award grants in two grant cycles per year. The Foundation generally provides about 6-8 weeks for application submissions and needs 2-3 months for review and decision making. At times, grant applications require further diligence and grant decision notifications are communicated later than the expected timeframe.

Please know that as Walder Foundation strategies and grant initiatives continue to evolve, applicants should not have any expectations that awarded grants will be renewed beyond the scope of the grant period. Please keep this in mind when planning for the sustainability of the work.

Spring Cycle (An Aligned & Collaborative Sector and Thriving Artists & Creative Workers)

• December: Invitations extended

• February: Application deadline

• May: Grant notifications*

Fall Cycle (Sustainable & Equitable Organizations)

• April: Invitations extended

• June: Application deadline

• October: Grant notifications*

*At times, grant applications require further diligence and grant decision notifications are communicated later than the expected timeframe.

GETTING IN TOUCH

If you are an existing grantee looking to clarify future areas of funding alignment and timing of opportunities, please email your program team member.

If you are new to Walder Foundation and think your work aligns with our strategies and goals, please complete a concept note (one paragraph in length) via this link. If there is project alignment, a staff member will contact you.

For updates about Walder Foundation’s performing arts grantmaking, sign up for alerts and select performing arts in your interests.