DEI Grants Information

New Diversity Equity Inclusion Grants Information

The Whitaker Foundation is offering a new grant round to encourage and support Black and Latinx leadership at Arts nonprofits. This opportunity is limited to nonprofit Arts organizations on the Missouri side of the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

Grant Eligibility Criteria

Leadership Criteria

In order to be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet two of three leadership criteria:

  • Artistic Director is Black or Latinx.
  • CEO/Executive Director is Black or Latinx.
  • Board of Directors is at least 25% Black or Latinx.

Organization Criteria

Applicants must also meet all three of the following organization criteria:

  • Be an agency with the Arts as its primary mission.
  • Have 501(c)(3) status. 
  • Have an annual revenue budget of less than $250,000 in each of its last two fiscal years.

Please note that funds may not be used for galas, fundraisers, or regranting to other organizations.

Opportunities to Apply

DEI Grant Application Deadlines

The new grant opportunity will be offered twice:

  • September 29, 2023 deadline (Fall 2023)
  • March 15, 2024 deadline (Spring 2024)

Please note these deadlines differ from the Foundation’s standard deadlines. However, all grants will be reviewed at regular Trustee meetings in October 2023 and April 2024. Applicants may request up to $10,000 in funding.

Application Process

How to Apply

  1. Call Foundation staff at 314-241-4352.  Staff will review eligibility, discuss the request and if eligible, grant access to an online application form. 
  2. Complete the online application. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation for assistance. Please reach out by phone or email at bkellerman@thewhitakerfoundation.org. Foundation staff is happy to review an application prior to submission if requested one week before the deadline. This is not a mandatory step.
  3. Submit the application through the Foundation’s online grant portal by 5:00 pm of the deadline date. Firm application deadlines are September 29, 2023 and March 15, 2024.  Please note that late applications will not be accepted in fairness to all applicants.  

After Submission

  1. Applicants will receive an email stating the application was received and accepted. 
  2. Staff will review the application. If additional information is needed, they will call/email the contact listed on the application.  
  3. Trustees will review applications at the next quarterly Trustee meeting. These meetings take place in late October for the October deadline and late April for the March deadline.
  4. Following the Trustee meeting, applicants will receive email notification of the grant decision. If the proposal is not funded, applicants are welcome to contact Foundation staff to discuss the decision. 

Interested in applying?

Call the foundation to see if you’re eligible.

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