Samsoche Sampson performs for Chicago Takes 10.
Strategic Investments in Sustainability and Capacity Building
Supporting Chicago’s Performing Artists and Arts Organizations
April 2022
This is an invitation to arts service and performing arts organizations in Chicago that were previously supported through the COVID-19 Resilience Through Innovation Fund (2020) or the Meeting the Moment Fund (2021) for projects dedicated to capacity-building.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
The Walder Foundation’s Strategic Investments in Sustainability and Capacity Building grant program invites organizations to consider their future states; to critically examine and design or expand on new initiatives that increase capacity in order to provide resources to aid artists and arts organizations in the Chicago performing arts ecosystem.
Grants will be awarded to organizations for projects that reimagine the performing arts sector by leveraging assets of creativity, ingenuity and community. Grants will be based on a number of factors including feasibility, innovation and the potential for impact. Funding will be prioritized for those organizations whose work serves traditionally under-resourced populations, communities and genres; prioritizes system-wide change and collaboration; and focuses on sustainable livelihoods for artists.
Examples of work may include:
Advancing research and piloting new models of funding in the performing arts.
Advocating and educating for increased public resources, policies, and legislation to protect freelance cultural workers and support the nonprofit arts sector.
Workforce development/training, job creation and professional development for artists.
Technology investments to catalyze new ways of working.
Collaborations between organizations, groups or entities that will move the field in sustainable ways.
Communications efforts that provide information to artists, organizations and audiences in the greater Chicago region.
Convenings to provide community, resilience and new ideas on the performing arts field.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Organization requirements:
Organizations that are governmental units or a registered Section 501(c)3, 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charity, or are working with a fiscal sponsor that meets this requirement.
Located in the greater Chicago metropolitan region (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties) and whose work is centered on the needs of the Chicago metropolitan community.
The project is focused on the needs of the Chicago metropolitan performing arts community or directly impacts artists in the region.
Has an annual budget between $100,000 and $5,000,000.
What we will not fund through this grants program:
Individual artists.
Production/Season sponsorships.
Groups that are legally, financially or operationally part of an institution with a budget over $5 million (unless otherwise approved by program staff).
Religious activities, political campaigns or lobbying.
Community, civic or volunteer performing arts groups who do not meaningfully compensate participating artists.
General operating support (excluding indirect costs).
SELECTION CRITERIA
In addition to financial and governance due diligence, the following criteria will be used to determine which organizations will receive grant funding:
Criteria
Will this proposal provide necessary structural support to uplift the field locally, elevate Chicago’s performing arts organizations nationally or globally, and connect organizations and associated artists to new or increased audiences?
Innovation/creativity/ingenuity
Is the proposal a unique solution or opportunity to address a problem in your organization, the communities you work with, the audiences you serve, or create impact in the greater field?
Potential for sustainable impact
Will the project target an unaddressed need or gap in the organization?
Will the intervention(s) have a lasting impact?
Does the proposal support the long-term sustainability of artists, staff, and community members?
Collaboration with community
The organization/project reflects, engages, and values input from their communities.
Is the project informed by equity or does it take a racial justice approach?
Is the project inclusive and accessible?
Have all consequences, including potential unintended consequences, been addressed to mitigate any possible harm?
Does this project attempt to reach new audiences or expand the reach of the work?
Is the organization informed about and/or engaged with partners doing similar or complementary work?
Feasibility/scope
Does this project align with the organization’s mission?
Is the project feasible when considering the resources, time, and capacity needed?
Does this project appreciably contribute to the sustainability of the organization and its stakeholders?
Is the organization best equipped to do this work/project?
The Walder Foundation’s performing arts program does not support organizations that ask artists to provide unpaid labor. Walder Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and/or projects that improve outcomes for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, you will need to create an account in foundationConnect, Walder Foundation’s grants management system. To create an account, you will need your organization’s EIN.
1. Create an account in foundationConnect and save an application
Click on the link below and choose Create New Account:
Strategic Investments in Sustainability and Capacity Building
You will receive a confirmation email from grants@walderfoundation.org. Click on the link in the email to verify your email address. You will receive a second email from grants@walderfoundation.org. Click the link in the second email to create your password, sign in to your account, and start and save a new application. To save an application, complete the first field, Project Title (you can change this later), and then choose Save. If you do not enter and save a Project Title, your application will not save.
IMPORTANT: If you do not start your application immediately after creating your password, you will need to return to this page and click the link above to be directed to the application form.
Walder Foundation Grantee Portal
If you are already registered in our grants management system, click on the link above and choose “Sign In” to be directed to the application.
2. Continue to work on and submit your application
Once you have saved an application, use the link below to resume work and submit your application:
You will be able to log in any time (up until the deadline) to work on your application and save your progress. We recommend creating your account early to familiarize yourself with the system and the application form.
>> VIEW A SAMPLE PROPOSAL FORM FOR COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS
An automated email confirmation is generated upon submission of the application. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours of submitting your application, please check your spam folder and then contact: grants@walderfoundation.org
TIMELINE
Application Q/A session via Zoom*: May 9, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
Full application due: May 26, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. CT
Virtual site visits: June 13-23, 2022
Grantee notifications: September 2022
*Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4861712155
Login: 486 171 2155 or call 312-626-6799
The session will be recorded and distributed to all invited organizations. Advance registration is not required.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For inquiries about the content of your application, please email performingarts@walderfoundation.org.
For inquiries about the grants management system, please contact grants@walderfoundation.org.