Learn about grants for dance by browsing our curated list of top dance funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities for dance using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.
Key Funders
Dance Funding Trends
The world of dance philanthropy remains relatively small, which creates the conditions for a competitive grant space. Dance advocates attribute this imbalance to a variety of factors, ranging from the American public’s lack of exposure to dance at a young age to fundraisers’ inability to cultivate long-term donors.
Individuals are the leading source of contributions for the average arts organization, including dance. This has been spurred further by the rise in donor-advised funds, which comprises a large segment of the dance giving mix . Traditional grantmaking foundations like Mellon and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation are among the field’s biggest funders.
Prior to 2020, dance advocates were already calling out philanthropy’s lack of support for BIPOC-led organizations, individual artists, and dance education initiatives; now, those calls are intensifying. In an era when other innovations in performance are on hold, more foundations are supporting the optimization of virtual programming.
Ballet companies receive the most from private funding for dance, followed by contemporary dance companies. Like many arts organizations, dance companies have struggled as deep cuts to programming for the arts were exacerbated during the COVID-19 era. As a result, the most pressing issues tend to center on long-term financial sustainability, including general operating support, organizational cash reserves and support for individual artists.
Foundations for Dance
3M FOUNDATION
The 3M Foundation supports dance companies in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY
AAS funds fellowships for the performing arts projects relating to pre-twentieth century history.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
The AAUW funds women academics and supports women and girls through activism and empowerment.
AMERICAN DANCE MOVEMENT
American Dance Movement supports dance education programs that benefit students from low-income families.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
While American Express does not mention theater and dance as focus areas, it is a big supporter of both.
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL
Ameriprise supports small- and medium-sized dance companies across the U.S.
ARNHOLD FOUNDATION
This foundation has funded inclusive and diverse dance companies and dance education for underserved children and youth.
ASTRAEA LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE
Astraea funds arts projects that focus on social justice. The foundation names a new theme for its grantmaking each year.
AYRSHIRE FOUNDATION
Working mainly in Southern California, Ayreshire has invested in local modern dance companies and programs.
BOGLIASCO FOUNDATION
The Bogliasco Foundation, near Genoa, provides short residencies to scholars and creative artists from all over the world.
THE BROWN FOUNDATION
The Brown Foundation supports both large and small arts organizations in Texas, but conducts some work across the United States.
CAPEZIO FOUNDATION
The Capezio Award recognizes individuals or groups for significant contributions to the world of dance.
DELMAS FOUNDATION
Grants support ballet, modern dance and dance education in New York City and vicinity.
MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION
This funder supports small- and medium-sized dance companies and schools across the country, often providing smaller grants that can make a big difference.
DORIS DUKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
One of the better-known dance grantmakers, Doris Duke typically funds larger modern and neoclassical dance companies and festivals.
FIDELITY FOUNDATION
The Fidelity Foundation has made arts and culture, including dance, a primary focus of its philanthropy. It supports dance companies and projects in its specified giving regions.
FIRSTENERGY FOUNDATION
Based in Ohio, this funder focuses on community-driven arts and culture programs and has made small grants to dance organizations.
FORDNEY FOUNDATION
Fordney supports ballroom dance organizations and young students of ballroom dance. It also maintains in interest in community dance programs.
FORD FOUNDATION
One of the largest private foundations in the United States, Ford supports dance companies, performance series and dance education at higher education performing arts programs.
FOUNDATION FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS
FCA funds diverse dance artists and productions, and is not afraid of controversial or risky projects.
JOHN SIMON GUGGENHEIM MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
One of the most prestigious awards in its field, the Guggenheim Fellowship supports choreographers and scholars conducting research related to dance. This is considered a mid-career award for those who are well established in their area of expertise.
HEARST FOUNDATIONS
The Hearst Foundations have supported some smaller ballet companies across the U.S. and maintain interest in a broad range of dance education programs.
JAPAN-UNITED STATES FRIENDSHIP COMMISSION
This funder is an independent federal government agency that funds grants and fellowships to advance cultural, educational, and intellectual exchange between the United States and Japan.
JUBILATION FOUNDATION
Jubilation awards grants for dance and music education. It supports individual educators as well as organizations.
KRESGE FOUNDATION
This funder supports arts programs for the development of disenfranchised communities, and especially supports efforts that increase opportunities and access for low-income people and new audiences.
MAP FUND
The MAP Fund offers grants to innovative and diverse artists and groups. This funder prioritizes artistic work that challenges social and cultural norms.
MAURER FAMILY FOUNDATION
Maurer Foundation grants generally fall into two categories: supporting for programs designed to broaden access to the arts support for programs that raise artistic standards, including competitions and masterclasses.
ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION
The Mellon Foundation’s giving for “arts and cultural heritage" funds funds performing arts with a focus on increased public access. It also supports research and collaborations.
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
NEA is an independent government organization that funds art projects that celebrate artistic excellence in the U.S.
NATIONAL YOUNGARTS FOUNDATION
YoungArts focuses on dancers aged 15 to 18 in the areas of ballet, jazz, modern, tap, world dance and choreography. The NYAF’s goal is to cultivate and develop the next generation of artists with mentorship, scholarships and other opportunities.
NORDSON FOUNDATION
The Nordson Foundation supports dance performance and education institutions as part of its broader arts grantmaking in the regions where it has a corporate presence.
OPEN MEADOWS FOUNDATION
Open Meadows grants support women-led projects that address the relationship between the arts and activism/social justice.
PEW CENTER FOR ARTS AND HERITAGE
The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage awards grants exclusively to organizations and individuals in the five-county Southeastern Pennsylvania region. It supports artists and organizations with ambitious, imaginative projects.
PRINCESS GRACE FOUNDATION
This niche funder awards scholarships and fellowships to individual dancers and choreographers. Nominations must be made by a nonprofit school or dance company.
PRUDENTIAL FOUNDATION
The Prudential Foundation’s arts grantmaking supports performing arts and arts education programs. This funder prioritizes the state of New Jersey but also gives nationally.
ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG FOUNDATION
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation maintains an interest in supporting choreographic projects and events.
JEROME ROBBINS FOUNDATION
The Jerome Robbins Foundation supports dance, theater and performing arts. It awards about $2 million in grants annually to support outstanding artistic achievement and new works.
SALESFORCE FOUNDATION
Salesforce supports larger dance companies in areas of the U.S. where its parent company maintains operations.
SHUBERT FOUNDATION
Shubert is a great supporter of small- and medium-sized dance companies anywhere in the U.S.
SURDNA FOUNDATION
Through its Thriving Cultures Program, Surdna awards grants to organizations that "support efforts to encourage teens to explore the arts, involve artists in community development projects and foster the growth and success of local artists as economic engines and agents for social change."
UNION PACIFIC FOUNDATION
Union Pacific Foundation places a consistent emphasis on the arts through its directive to “improve and enrich the general quality of life in the community.” Dance makes up the foundation's smallest sliver of arts support, but grants do support performing arts centers and youth programs.
UNITED STATES ARTISTS
United States Artists provides highly competitive, unrestricted $50,000 fellowships to accomplished and innovative artists across several creative disciplines, including dance and choreography.
U.S. BANCORP FOUNDATION
The U.S. Bancorp Foundation makes dance for dance performance and education focusing on broad community access and participation.
WESTERN STATES ARTS FEDERATION
The foundation focuses on supporting a more equitable arts sector and supports touring groups in its 13-state region.
Additional Resources
Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) is a national network of private, public and corporate arts funders focused on providing “leadership and service that advances the use of philanthropic and governmental resources to support the growth of the arts and culture.”
Americans for the Arts, which aims to advance the arts in the United States, is an important organization for the dance community. Its website includes white papers and research on fundraising trends and best practices.
SMU DataArts’ mission is “to empower arts and cultural leaders with high-quality data and evidence-based resources and insights that help them to overcome challenges and increase impact.” SMU DataArts provides resources for arts organizations, fundraisers and arts grantmakers.
Dance/USA champions an inclusive and equitable dance field by leading, convening, advocating and supporting individuals and organizations. Dance/USA’s core programs focus on engagement, advocacy, research and preservation. The organization serves over 500 organizational and individual members nationwide.
