Tri-M Foundation Performing Arts Grant Program

The Tri-M Foundation's Performing Arts Grant Program supports the development and presentation of high-quality, innovative performing arts projects by regional non-profit arts organizations. The Foundation has a strong commitment to encouraging original and bold creative works that explore regional identity, history, culture, and aesthetic. Its funding structure is designed to stimulate public engagement through performances that inspire, challenge, and provoke dialogue. Founded to promote artistic expression through live performance, the Tri-M Foundation aligns its support with projects that reflect both artistic excellence and meaningful public impact. This grant program operates on a biennial discipline cycle, focusing on specific performing arts categories every two years. For the 2026–2027 cycle, only projects in Music, Opera, Musicals, and Media Arts will be considered. Theatre (plays) and Dance are excluded during this cycle. Applications are due by February 15, 2026, for projects that will be scheduled between August 2026 and July 2027. Award announcements are anticipated by April 15, 2026. Each project may be funded for up to 12 months, but multi-year project funding is not available. The anticipated number of grants to be awarded is between five and seven annually, with award amounts ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per project. Eligible applicants include small to mid-sized non-profit performing arts organizations with an active 501(c)(3) designation, a minimum two-year operating history, and an annual budget under $1 million. Additionally, umbrella arts organizations may apply on behalf of individual artists or arts entities lacking non-profit status. In such cases, fiscal sponsorship must be formalized with documentation submitted at the time of application. Applicants must demonstrate that projects are fully planned, featured in their season, and publicly accessible, and that all participants are compensated at a minimum level. Tri-M explicitly prohibits projects that rely on unpaid artistic labor or that aim to influence political processes, promote religious doctrine, or violate public law. Grant funds may be applied to a variety of eligible project activities. These include new works, regional premieres, research-related performance projects, marketing, touring expenses, and design or production costs. Notably, projects must have at least two public performances or presentations, and organizations domiciled or presenting work outside of the United States are not eligible. Academic institutions and projects with a youth-theater orientation are also ineligible for this funding opportunity. Applications for multi-project festivals or full seasons are discouraged to ensure a focused and impactful use of funding. Applications must be submitted via email and include a comprehensive proposal. This consists of a cover page, a detailed narrative addressing project vision and management, a project budget with funding rationale, and several supporting documents. These include résumés, production samples, proof of non-profit status or fiscal sponsorship, IRS Form 990, and the organization’s most recent annual budget. Grantees will be required to submit a final project report within 90 days of completion, providing performance outcomes, attendance figures, financial summaries, and any other pre-agreed evaluation measures. All awarded organizations are required to share project-related media with Tri-M for documentation and limited promotional use. Grantees must credit the Foundation in all relevant publications and, where applicable, in any published new works created through the support of the grant. Although Tri-M does not provide individualized feedback on applications, comprehensive FAQs are available to guide applicants through the eligibility and submission process.

Focus on bold, new work with strong planning; avoid general operating requests or multiple-project asks.