Hello!

I am a new Exec Director for a new community theater in New Hampshire.  I've started looking around for grants to apply to, and am having some difficulties finding any that match our specific goals (community involvement in theater).  Where do you all look for grants?  Are there specific organizations that you use?

Thanks very much!!

Heather

Our best luck has come from our local Community Foundation. They like to make grants for "hardware":  computers, copiers and so on.  We got grants for our sound equipment and, later, our lighting equipment.  There are two issues you might run into:  First they insist that organizations have their 501(c)(3) in hand and that the organization have some track record.  Sounds like a Catch -22 doesn't it?  Anyway they were the first to give us significant grants. 

I know other organizations that are very successful getting grants for childrens programs - instruction as well as performance.   Our state has a very active Community Theater Association.  I would check with yours - if nothing else they can steer you to a theater with grant experience.  I have found other theaters more than willing to help me any way they can.

Hope this helps

Around here grant writers get paid whether you get the grant or not - I think the ususal rate for small grants is 10% to 15% of the amount of the grant.  Unless you are going for a high probability grant any profit from the grant gets quickly eaten up with the cost of grants you do not get.

Thanks SO MUCH for all your helpful responses!!  I do appreciate them!

Heather