Art and Change Grant

The 2025 Art and Change Grant, administered by the Leeway Foundation, is designed to support artists and cultural producers who identify as women, trans, or gender nonconforming and who reside in Greater Philadelphia. Leeway is a private, trans-affirming organization with a mission to fund art that contributes to social change through community engagement and culturally grounded practices. Applicants must be rooted in communities within Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia Counties and be at least 18 years old. This grant program offers up to $2,500 to individuals or artist collectives working in any artistic medium, including traditional, nontraditional, experimental, or multidisciplinary forms. Funding is directed toward projects where the creation and sharing of art are integrated with visions for social transformation. Eligible expenses include artist stipends, documentation, equipment, and materials necessary for the proposed project. However, the grant will not support activities that begin before the award notification period (10–12 weeks after the August 1 deadline), projects already funded by Leeway in the same phase, or fundraising, organizational operations, or student work toward a degree. Applicants must submit their proposal in partnership with a “Change Partner”—someone involved with or affected by the community the project intends to serve. This individual or organization must submit a separate signed Change Partner Form, confirming their relationship to the applicant and outlining how they will support the project. Change Partners may not financially benefit from the grant. The grant application also asks applicants to select up to three social justice themes their work addresses, such as disability justice, racial justice, economic justice, feminism, or indigenous sovereignty. The application process requires detailed information about the artist's background, experiences relevant to their project, and a thorough six-question project description. Supporting documentation for age and residence will be required only upon selection. Applicants must also provide a clear project budget and outline how grant funds will be used if the project budget exceeds the $2,500 request. Applications may be submitted either electronically through leeway.org/ACG or in hard copy to the Leeway Foundation’s Philadelphia office. Electronic applicants must ensure submission confirmation via email, and email or fax submissions are not accepted. Key dates include the final submission deadline of August 1, 2025. While an opening date is not explicitly mentioned, applications are currently being accepted. The grant is not rolling but does recur annually. The expected award notification period falls 10–12 weeks after the deadline. All grantees must submit a final report within 60 days of project completion detailing both personal and community impact. Grant recipients are also required to complete a W-9 and will receive a 1099 tax form. For questions or accommodations related to accessibility or language needs, applicants can reach out to the Leeway Foundation via phone at 215.545.4078 or email at info@leeway.org. The organization also offers support through information sessions and one-on-one applicant meetings, accessible via leewayfoundation.eventbrite.com.

Keep answers within character limits, prepare budget carefully, select up to three social justice intents, use examples of previous grantees as references