Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants

The Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants, supported by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), are intended to support professional dancers across the United States who are experiencing dire financial emergencies. The program offers one-time grants of up to $3,000 to address critical and immediate needs related to essential living expenses such as housing, utilities, food, and healthcare. This initiative stems from Rauschenberg's longstanding commitment to helping artists in urgent need, dating back to his establishment of the nonprofit Change, Inc. in 1970. The program is designed for dancers who have lost recent or current paid performance opportunities due to events outside their control, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, illness, injury, or cancelled engagements. Dancers must demonstrate ongoing professional engagement since 2020 in live, public-facing performances, though allowances are made for gaps during pandemic-related shutdowns or other legitimate causes. Applicants must reside in the U.S., District of Columbia, Tribal Nations, or U.S. Territories, be 21 years or older, and meet financial eligibility requirements. Grant funds may be used for up to three months of essential expenses within a six-month window before or after the application deadline. Eligible costs include rent, utility payments, food, medical expenses, and necessary transportation. However, the program does not cover mortgages, student loans, credit card debt, or costs related to other family members. Expenses must be incurred by the individual applicant, and awardees are required to certify how the funds are spent. Applications must be submitted online through Submittable, and must include documentation of the applicant's professional performance history and financial emergency. Each cycle distributes approximately $65,000 in total funds. Given the high volume of applicants, submission does not guarantee funding. A two-phase review process includes initial eligibility screening followed by a panel review focused on economic urgency. Top applications are either directly funded or entered into a lottery for final awards. Applications for the current round (Cycle 21) opened on November 4 and close on December 2 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by January 9. The program continues on a bimonthly basis through at least June 2026. Questions may be directed to Program Officer Mollie Quinlan-Hayes by phone or email. Accessibility accommodations are available upon request for those unable to submit online.

Clearly document your financial emergency and professional activity since 2020. Specificity and clarity help reviewers assess urgency.