To support access to performing arts education, training, and apprenticeship and/or internship opportunities for underserved youth in the Sacramento region (Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, and El Dorado counties only). 

• Performing arts are defined as instrumental, vocal, theater, or dance art forms.
• Underserved youth are defined as low-income, or coming from communities of color that have not had affordable access to private training and education programs in the performing arts.
• Youth is defined as children ages 8 – 17 years old.

This funds seeks to support established in-house youth training programs for arts, cultural, and/or nonprofit organizations whose mission is to advance the performing arts.

Applications should address the following goals:

• Develop long-term, in-depth partnerships between schools, local arts organizations and local teaching artists to help identify young performing artists that are in need of financial assistance for continued instruction.
• Develop the artistic abilities and creativity of students through sequential, hands-on performing arts learning.
• Continue to provide future opportunities for low-income students to benefit from quality performing arts training.

• Located and serve in the 4-county region of Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, and El Dorado counties.
• Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing with the IRS.
• Must be an arts organization with performing arts as its core mission or a nonprofit that includes the performing arts as a major component of its programming.
• Have a current profile on the region’s nonprofit database, GivingEdge. (Applicants may still apply for funding without a profile, but will be required to have an approved profile by the end of your grant term. GivingEdge will be accepting applications for new profiles beginning in mid-June. 

Programs can include any of the following elements of performing arts education and training, and are not limited to:

• Basic fundamental, intermediate, or advanced performing arts skills and content training for instrument, voice, theater, dance or spoken word.
• Experiential, practical and peer learning opportunities
• Workshops, forums, or field trips to performing arts events
• Access to professional artists as trainers, teachers, or mentors
• Opportunities for continued learning opportunities through apprenticeships, internships, or auditions in the performing arts
• Typical “front of house” and “back of house” training and education about other elements in the performing arts, such as business planning, marketing, production, set design, costume design, etc.

Requests for support may be made for up to $5,000.

Grant dollars may be used for the following:

• Underwrite the full or partial cost of tuition for low-income students.
• Fees to professional experts/staff to execute the program and provide high quality training.
• Direct costs associated with youth training program such as instruments, sheet music, transportation, etc.
• Stipend for or fees to participate in any apprenticeship or internship, if applicable.
• Indirect costs may only constitute up to 10% of funds requested.
• Selection Criteria

Through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the Foundation is seeking to support organizations that have a strong history of providing quality performing arts instruction to area youth through their in-house programming.

Through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the Foundation is seeking to support organizations that have a strong history of providing quality performing arts instruction to area youth through their in-house programming.

Proposal Request/Program Description (60%)

The proposal as outlined in the grant application:

• Reflects a clear purpose and meets the mission of your organization
• Incorporates clear and measurable project objectives that directly address need as outlined in the purpose and grant overview.
• Possesses a sound, practical, and effective program strategy with built-in evaluative measures for continuous quality improvement

Fiscal Management (40%)

The grant applicant demonstrates sound fiscal practices by providing:

• A detailed budget that reflects the project in a realistic and fiscally judicious manner
• Evidence that the organization is actively seeking other sources of funding for a diversified revenue stream and for program sustainability
• Demonstration of past fiscal responsibility with no significant budget deficits or cash-flow issues

Applicants will be screened internally by Foundation staff for eligibility. Submission will then be reviewed by a selection committee. Applications will only be accepted through the online application. Selected organizations will be required to submit a final report describing how the funds were used.

Click here to apply!

For questions regarding the application process, using the online system or timeline, please contact us at grants@sacregcf.org.

For question regarding content (narrative/budget questions) or other inquiries regarding this opportunity, please contact Niva Flor, Director of Grantmaking & Strategic Impact, niva@sacregcf.org.