Venturous Capital Grants Program

The Venturous Capital Grants program, administered by the Venturous Theater Fund (VTF) of the Tides Foundation, is designed to support the production of bold, experimental, and large-scale new plays. The fund specifically aims to empower theaters to undertake challenging and ambitious writer-driven projects by removing financial barriers related to extraordinary production costs. These grants are not intended for routine or enhanced production expenses, but rather for specific costs that are integral and essential to the realization of uniquely demanding theatrical works. Eligible costs include those that fall outside standard production budgets and are critical to a project's execution. Examples include AEA compensation for additional performers in large-cast productions, specialized technical requirements, interactive technology use, and rehearsal extensions due to unique demands. Projects involving elements like music, dance, or movement as integral narrative devices (excluding musicals) may also qualify. The fund does not support expenses such as regular salaries, venue rentals, playwright compensation or travel, marketing, or typical production enhancements like elaborate set design or star casting. To initiate the process, eligible theaters must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). The LOI must outline the proposed play, describe the unusual challenges, identify the extraordinary costs for which funding is requested, and articulate how the grant would make the project feasible. Applications are accepted twice per year, and the LOI must be submitted via email using a specific cover sheet provided on the VTF website. The current grant cycle had an LOI window from November 1, 2025 to December 1, 2025. Applications submitted outside this window will not be accepted or acknowledged. Theaters selected from the LOI pool will be invited to submit a full application, including a draft or final script and a detailed production budget. The VTF selection committee will evaluate proposals based on the script’s merit, the alignment with the fund’s objectives, and the necessity of the requested expenses. Only plays that are already written will be considered. Projects generally receive award notifications within two to two-and-a-half months following the LOI deadline. Grant disbursements occur once a production is publicly announced but no earlier than three months before its first performance. This grant program is recurring, with future LOI deadlines every June and December. The next expected cycle opens May 1, 2026, with a deadline of June 1, 2026. VTF requires that rehearsal for the proposed production begin no earlier than 2.5 months after the LOI deadline. While more than one LOI may be submitted per cycle, no theater will be awarded more than two grants per calendar year. Contact for inquiries is available via email at [email protected].

Emphasize extraordinary, integral, and essential expenses only; projects must be clearly “venturous” and not rely on standard cost recovery.