Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust

The Emma A. Sheafer Charitable Trust provides capacity-building support to performing arts organizations located in New York City. To enhance the chances of success for applicants, the Trust has implemented a new approach wherein organizations are encouraged to apply based on their primary focus area, which includes dance, theater, or music. Each year, the Trust designates a specific focus area for applications cycling through theater, dance, and music, accordingly. Thus, in 2024 theater organizations are invited to apply. Dance organizations are invited to apply in 2025 followed by music organizations in 2026. The cycle returns to theater organizations in 2027 and continues onward. If an organization operates within multiple performing arts categories or identifies as a different type of performing arts organization, we invite you to apply under the appropriate year that most aligns with your work. Funding Interests: Performing arts organizations with an annual operating budget less than or equal to $1,000,000 as of the last fiscal year. Type of Support: Grants are provided for capacity-building support and small-scale capital projects. Support is not provided for commissions, programs, or project-related requests. Grants may be single year or two-year commitments, and are typically $15,000 – $30,000 annually. Geographic Focus: New York City Restrictions: A minimum of three years must elapse between grant awards, calculated from the last fund distribution date. No grants are made to individuals, private foundations, governmental organizations, or for matching gifts or loans. Eligibility: Organizations must be classified by the Internal Revenue Service as public charities and tax-exempt under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Grant Cycle: The annual application deadline is August 1. Grant notifications and awards are sent to all applicants in November.