Social Impact Theatre Grant Program

The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its Social Impact Theatre grant program, which provides production-specific support to theatres igniting positive changes in their communities through the programming they bring to life on stage.

Donor Name: The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation

State: Selected States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 06/09/2025

Size of the Grant: Not Available

Grant Duration: 1 Year

Details:

Through the Social Impact Theatre grant program, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation proudly recognize organizations with production specific support that are intentional and innovative in engaging with their audiences around their productions’ issues and are committed to reaching new audiences.

Social impact theatre is artistic content that deepens audience awareness of and promotes dialogue around relevant social issues, brings different viewpoints together on challenging subjects, and provides a lens to process contemporary society.

Grant Period

Due to the application timeline, productions should occur between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Social Impact Theatre grant program offers funding for contemporary, professional, theatrical productions that deal with current social issues:
  • At least 75% of the selected production’s cast must be professional actors (which the Foundation defines as paid for their work);
  • The production must have a plot and use language (spoken, sung, and/or signed). Dance, opera, symphony, and touring Broadway productions are not eligible for funding;
  • Scripts must be completed at the time your application is submitted;
  • There must be at least 15 fully-produced public performances of the production;
• Eligible applicants must be a nonprofit organization:
  • Domiciled in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, or Washington State with IRS-determined 501(c)(3) status;
  • Whose sole mission is to produce and present theatre;
  • With a history of at least two consecutive years of bringing theatre to its community; and,
  • With annual operating revenue of at least $1,000,000 for the most recently-completed fiscal year.

Evaluation Criteria

Organizations will be evaluated within the context of the Biller Family Foundation’s overall mission and values, and grant program priorities as outlined below.

• Production Impact:
  • The production addresses timely and relevant social issues.
  • The review committee seeks to promote productions that are new works, are no more than 100 years old, and that are not adaptations of classics.
  • Particular emphasis is given to musical productions.
• Outreach, Engagement & Partnerships:
  • The theatre is thoughtful in its outreach to new and underrepresented audiences, and audiences of all abilities.
  • Engagement strategies provide opportunities for the audience to learn more about the issues raised in the play, and provide audiences the opportunity to challenge and shift their perspectives.
  • Partnerships are clearly related to the content of the production and designed to deepen audience awareness by providing expertise and resources for audiences to further engage with the content.
  • If a children’s theatre, it is clear how the programming and events impact audience members of all ages.
• Organizational Health:
  • The theatre demonstrates an ability to operate now and into the future.
  • Financial management seems appropriate for the size of the organization.
  • Staff management and board display a strong sense of leadership.

For more information, visit TSLBFF.