Grant and Professional Development Programs

TCG consistently broadens the circle so that many young leaders and artists of color find a place for growth, for opportunity, and for mentorship. The organization has been and continues to be a launching pad. TCG was also the place I found refuge when I began my professional life in the theater."
- Jacob Padrón, artistic director of Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, CT; founder and artistic director, The Sol Project

Since its founding, TCG has awarded over $44 million in grants, subsidies and scholarships to individuals and theatre organizations in partnership with a number of foundations, including The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Hearst Foundations, Howard Gilman Foundation, Walt Disney Imagineering, the William & Eva Fox Foundation, and many others. TCG’s grantmaking and professional development programs help to connect and nurture theatre practitioners at various stages of their career, as well as support theatres working in diverse communities across the country. TCG has a long history of developing and administering programs that speak directly to the needs of the field and that have far-reaching impact on individuals, theatre organizations and communities in the U.S. and abroad.

 To receive email updates about current grant programs offered by TCG, including when applications are available, subscribe to TCG Grant Updates. Please send program-related inquiries to [email protected]

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Recent programs are listed below in an alphabetical order.

Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowships
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time

Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowships support actors and their artistic and professional development. Grants are awarded to actors in two areas: Distinguished Achievement grants of $25,000 for actors with a substantial body of work and Exceptional Merit grants of $15,000 plus additional support for student loans. Host theatres receive $7,500 for costs associated with residency.

This long-running program is funded by the William & Eva Fox Foundation.

Funds for the Dolls
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time

Funds for the Dolls is intentionally created by TCG and led by trans women of color (TWOC) leaders in the performing arts who understand the complex issues facing TWOC performing and theatre artists. In this self-funded pilot round with $50,000, TCG aims to support these trailblazers and uplift their joy, artistry, audacity, and tenacity.

Rising Leaders of Puerto Rico
Program Status: No longer accepting applications for this round

Rising Leaders of Puerto Rico develops and highlights highly talented early-career leaders across Puerto Rico who are advancing their careers in the U.S. not-for-profit theatre and related sectors, and who demonstrate the potential to impact the field in a positive way. The program combines practical skills building, professional connections and opportunities to develop empowering relationships, as well as tools and resources to navigate a career in the theatre field as a rising leader.

THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time

THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color, developed with an Advisory Circle of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) theatre leaders, provides unrestricted funds for those who have all too often been outside the grantmaking sector’s funding opportunities: Black theatres, Indigenous theatres and Theatres of Color (BITOC). THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color offers 25 RESPOND grants of $10,000 each to address immediate, time-sensitive challenges that prevent ongoing work with their communities; and 20 RECOGNIZE grants of $50,000 each for general operating support of BITOC that demonstrate a deep level of service to their chosen communities, a clear vision guiding their on-going and future work, and the highest potential for the THRIVE! program to positively impact their organization. Each recipient will determine how their funds will be used.

This program is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.

The Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship
Program Status: No longer accepting applications for this round

The Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship provides exceptionally talented costume designers who are enrolled in a university or professional training program with the opportunity to supplement their fine arts training in hand drawing and/or painting. The scholarship offers undergraduate and graduate students up to $7,500 to be used towards tuition, registration, and/or supplies.

This program is funded by the Estate of Willa Kim.