Maine Theater
Quick OverviewMax Award: Awards are typically between $2,500 and $5,000, although larger awards may be considered.Interest Areas: Arts/Culture/HumanitiesGeographic Area: StatewideTypes of Funding: Capacity-building, General Support, ProjectApplication Opens: July 15Deadline: September 16, 11:59 p.m.Notification: By December 15Staff Contact: Lane Sturtevant, lsturtevant@mainecf.org, 207-412-2019Apply: Click on the orange “Apply” button at the top right of this page. |
2023 Cycle StatsApplications received: 36Amount requested: $221,544Number of grants awarded: 18Grant dollars awarded: $88,944Average Award: $4,941Percentage of applicants that received grants: 50%Additional Grants by donors: noneRecent Grants: Click here to view the last three years of grants. |
Purpose
The Maine Theater Fund supports nonprofit professional and community theaters in the production and presentation of live theater.
Criteria and Priorities
All applicants must meet the Maine Community Foundation’s grant eligibility requirements. Please read our eligibility and grant guidelines before submitting an application.
Criteria
To receive a grant, a theater or project must:
- Support nonprofit professional and community theaters in the production and presentation of live theater
Priorities
Priority will be given to:
- Adult theater
- Dramas
- Organizations that have not received multiple grants in recent years.
Types of Funding
This program provides:
- Capacity- building grants for improving and strengthening the organization
- General support grants for staff and operational costs at community theaters, including infrastructure and technology
- Project grants for performances and other programmatic expenses.
Additional Information
You are welcome to mail a list of productions from either the prior or current season along with limited supporting information about your organization and/or project. Send this information by September 15 to:
Maine Theater Fund
c/o Lane Sturtevant
Maine Community Foundation
245 Main Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
Ineligible Expenses
Theaters whose main purpose is to present social messaging and/or health and wellness education will not be considered for funding. Children’s theater projects are not likely to be funded.
Funds may not be used for:
- See “What we will not fund, without exception” on our eligibility and grant guidelines page.
Background
The Maine Theater Fund is a competitive grant program of the Maine Community Foundation that supports nonprofit theater performance throughout Maine. The fund was established in 2005 by an anonymous couple who love live theater and recognize the connection between vibrant communities and support for the arts.
