How the Howard Gilman Foundation is Supporting the Arts

For performing arts presenters in New York City, finding funders that can fund beyond the project level and share values of flexibility and artist autonomy can be life-changing. The Howard Gilman Foundation meets this need. Founded on the belief that “the arts can transform lives,” HGF is a strategic partner for those leading the charge in the performing arts in the five boroughs of New York City.

In this blog, the Howard Gilman Foundation will be discussed in terms of how it operates, funding criteria and process, what makes it competitive, and why this funding opportunity may be of great value for arts and cultural institutions in NYC.

What the Howard Gilman Foundation Supports

In essence, the Howard Gilman Foundation invests in and supports the generation of performing arts companies in New York City. From HGF’s perspective, it invests in performing arts such as dance, theater, music, and multi-discipline arts.

Mission and Philosophy

HGF holds that: “Howard Gilman believed in the power of the arts to transform lives. In honoring his legacy, the Foundation supports New York City-based performing arts organizations that reflect the vibrant cultural community of the city.”
The aim of this foundation is to work together with those that are creative and pioneering, connected and influential within their sectors.

Funding Approach

HGF stresses the importance of general operating support, which means that grants are intended to accomplish more than just supporting one project within an organization and instead aim to stabilize the fulfillment of an organization’s mission and financial health.
In this understanding, it is recognized that art excellence is made possible not only in programs, but in infrastructure and staffing as well.

Moreover, HGF employs the approach of the trust-based, flexible model, in that it understands that every institution is different and thus fosters autonomy, learning, and responsiveness in its grantees instead of following formulaic responses.

Prioritized Focus

Although HGF lends in every area of expertise, it particularly prioritizes organizations of color and those that are situated in areas of NYC that historically have had less philanthropic investment (for instance, Staten Island, the Bronx, Eastern/Southern Brooklyn, and Queens).

HGF promises to be present at performances, connect with recipients of grants, and develop relationships rather than just making donations.

Who Is Eligible?

Being eligible for assistance from the Howard Gilman Foundation also has specific guidelines, such that arts organizations must be based and operating in New York City (the five boroughs). Key eligibility factors include:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in New York State, and must be based in New York City. Fiscal sponsors are eligible to apply if their activities are NYC-based.
• Must have an operating budget of at least US$250,000 each year for the past three years (both income and expenses must be above that level).
• Must provide audit or CPA review or the equivalent of financial statements.
• Must be involved in performing arts: generative companies (dance, music, theater, multi-disciplinary), presenters/venues, or service organizations focused on moving the performing arts field forward.

Organizations that are arts education or pre-professional, film and TV, visual arts museums and galleries, social services, or housing and health care arts integration may not qualify within the guidelines of HGF.

Since HGF only introduces a small number of additional organizations every year, the level of competition remains very high, and only those that are prepared and aligned are selected.

How to Apply: Process & Key Steps

The application process at the Howard Gilman Foundation is uniquely organized for both first-time applicants and those who are existing recipients of their grants. Here is a step-by-step description of how you can get involved:

For New Applicants

• Register in Grants Portal: Create a profile in HGF’s grants portal.
• Submit Interest Form: HGF employs an interest form that evaluates suitability on the bases of mission, budget size, geography, and field of interest.
• Full Application Invitation: If selected, the organization will be invited to submit a full application including narrative, budgets, work samples, site visit, and meeting with staff.
• Review and Decision: Review of applications uses staff, and officers plus the board. Awards are generally made in early December after deadlines.

For Current Grantees (Renewals)

Organizations that are current grantees apply for renewal of funding through the same portal, ensuring that current grantees apply in the right cycle, turn in current budgets and financials, and connect with the Program Officer.
Long-term grants may also be awarded and may have reporting and checking-in sessions.

Key Dates and Deadlines

HGF announces the application periods for interest forms, full applications, and renewal application cycles.
For instance, an interest application period may be March 31 to May 20, followed by July 29 for those who are applying for the very first time.

Deadlines must be observed and registration on the portal must be completed in advance to prevent delays on the systems.

Why This Grant Opportunity Matters

Core Support Over Project Support

Some funders are limited in their giving to certain programs at the organization. By emphasizing General Operating Support, HGF means that the organization can spend money on what it needs the most, whether it be personnel, infrastructure, promotion, artistic development, or reserves.

Long-standing NYC Involvement

By focusing solely on performing arts in New York City, HGF provides in-depth local understanding and insights that may be difficult for some national funders to replicate.
From the perspective of NYC arts organizations, this allows them to be on the same page as the funder in relation to the NYC ecosystem and costs.

Emphasis on Equity and Under-invested Areas

By supporting orgs of color and underserved areas of NYC, HGF challenges the landscape of philanthropy in NYC arts and supports increased diversity and inclusion.
By applying this criterion, HGF makes it clear that applicants’ missions are important to them.

Trust-Based Funding Model

That the foundation believes in flexibility, less restrictive conditions, and giving weight to what arts organizations have to say is itself a departure from the usual philanthropic approach.
Organizations looking for ways to partner instead of being administered in granting funding would recognize this difference.

Tips for a Competitive Application

If you are planning to apply for funding from the Howard Gilman Foundation, the following are strategic ways of improving your proposal:

• Be strong in mission and artistic style: Organizations need to state their performing arts type, art type, role in NYC arts scene, and art statement for NYC arts scene.
• Demonstrate financial and organizational health: Because of the minimum budget of $250,000, applicants must demonstrate financial health and must have completed full audits or CPA reviews, and must have leadership and programs that can manage this type of unrestricted funding.
• Emphasize flexibility and impact: Describe in what way a general operating award will serve to promote advancement in art and development of programs and audiences, rather than mere incremental upkeep.
• NYC context: Embrace NYC-specific issues. Since HGF is NYC-focused, it is important that you ground your proposal in this NYC context.
• Connect to values of HGF: If your organization is led by people of color, operating in underserved areas, or focused on or engaging in innovative art forms, talk about that.
• Prepare for readiness: Have work samples, budget forecasts, audit work, and bios of your leadership team ready when you apply.
• Get involved early: Get on the portal early before deadlines, familiarize yourself thoroughly with all the FAQs, and attend any information sessions that may be available. Get everything together and polished for submission.
• Partnerships and relevance of audiences: Describe how your organization connects with audiences and promotes access to performance, especially in underrepresented boroughs.

Centering Artistic Futures in NYC

The Howard Gilman Foundation is a partner in performing arts organizations that are ambitious, rooted in their communities, and poised for impact.
If your organization is building innovative performing work that resonates meaningfully in New York City and is now prepared for the flexibility and investment of operating funds, then HGF may be a distinguished funding partner to explore.

Offering access to unrestricted funding, in-region understanding, and values-based methodology, the Howard Gilman Foundation funding opportunity presents you with more than just funding for your current project, it presents you with investment in your future.

For further insights on eligibility or to access the interest form or start the registration process for your organization, you can visit the Howard Gilman Foundation’s “How to Apply” page.