Arts & Culture Grants

Our support of arts and culture nonprofits helps fuel the cultural heartbeat of our community. These organizations do more than entertain – they educate, preserve heritage, foster dialogue, and create spaces where we can connect and express ourselves.

Outside of Armory Center at night
Preformers performing on stage

Overview

About Arts & Culture Grants

Established in 2023, PCF’s Arts & Culture Grant Program supports nonprofits in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre. The program focuses on ongoing program needs or in response to Eaton Fire-related efforts to preserve or restore arts and culture in the Greater Pasadena area.

Student playing trumbone in music class

Our Focus Areas

Man playing music on DIY bucket drums
01 |

Transitional support for innovation and change management

02 |

Investment in new technologies

03 |

New programming to increase local community engagement

04 |

Marketing and communications outreach to diversify audience and/or donor base

Our Funding Priorities

PCF prioritizes applications that:

  • Support Transitional Innovation
    Projects that help organizations adapt to challenges through innovation, change management, or organizational restructuring.
  • Invest in New Technologies
    Proposals that incorporate technology to enhance programming, operations, or audience experience.
  • Engage and Expand Audiences
    Efforts to diversify, grow the audience and donor bases through strategic marketing, outreach, and community engagement, including access to underrepresented communities.
  • Foster Collaboration and Community Impact
    Programs that build partnerships with other local organizations and increase access to arts and culture for underserved populations.
Woman holding block while students touch it

Application Details

Status: Closed
Deadline: TBD
Grant Decision: Typically in June
Grant Amounts: Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000.

PCF Grant Calendar

To be eligible for funding, organizations must:

  • Be located in or provide significant services within the Pasadena Unified School District boundaries (Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre).
  • Be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) or (2)(b) (Private Foundations under 509(a) are not eligible).
  • Generally have at least two years of operational history with a record of effective service (fiscally sponsored programs may have different requirements).
  • Have completed all previous PCF grants; organizations with an open or non-compliant grant are ineligible.
  • Receive only one PCF grant per calendar year (e.g., Animal Welfare, Arts & Culture, Capital, Education, Senior or Vista Nova). Visit PCF’s Grants Calendar for more details.
  • Adhere to the Non-Discrimination Policy outlined below.

PCF does not make grants from discretionary funds to organizations that discriminate based on:

  • Actual or perceived rage, age, color
  • Gender identity, marital or parental status
  • Military service, national origin
  • Physical or mental ability
  • Political affiliation, sexual orientation, or religion

The following are not eligible for funding:

  • Individuals or households
  • Private schools
  • Organizations with open or non-compliant PCF grants
  • Activities intended to influence legislation or elections
  • Individual public schools or their support groups (e.g., PTA/PTO, booster clubs); PCF supports PUSD schools only through the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF)
  • Sectarian religious organizations or churches for religious purposes (community service programs may be considered if open to all and meet other criteria)
  • Agencies not directly performing services aligned with PCF’s mission (no regranting)
  • Building improvements on leased property (exceptions may be made for public entities or long-term leases at the board’s discretion)
  • Reporting requirements must be met to remain eligible for future PCF grants.
  • Agencies must also comply with PCF’s Grand Recognition Guidelines (see below).
  • Specific reporting deadlines and formats will be provided upon grant award.

Recognizing your grant helps honor the donors who make PCF’s work possible and encourages future community support. PCF actively promotes its grants and supports grantees in doing the same.

Grantee Responsibilities:

  • Acknowledge the Grant in newsletters, press releases, and other communications.
  • Required Language: “This project was funded [or funded in part] by a grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation.”
  • Naming Convention: Use “Pasadena Community Foundation” on first reference; “PCF” may be used thereafter
  • Logo Usage: Use the approved PCF logo with written acknowledgement
  • Shared Coverage: Send copies of any media or press coverage mentioning the PCF grant to the foundation – media@pasadenacf.org.

Communication & Resources:

  • Acknowledgement Letters: Mail to the program manager or email to Grants@Pasadenacf.Org
  • Foundation Description: Founded in 1953, the Pasadena Community Foundation promotes local philanthropy, with a mission to inspire generosity and engage the resources of our community for present needs unfulfilled and future needs unforeseen. The Foundation helps donors maximize the impact of their charitable contributions – strengthening the community, preserving cultural resources, and assisting those in need.”

Application Details

Two adults, a man and woman, stand outdoors with a balcony visible behind them.

Danny Feldman, Artistic Director at the Pasadena Playhouse and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Artistic Director at A Noise Within.

Two adults, a man and woman, stand outdoors with a balcony visible behind them.

Danny Feldman, Artistic Director at the Pasadena Playhouse and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Artistic Director at A Noise Within.

Two adults, a man and woman, stand outdoors with a balcony visible behind them.

Danny Feldman, Artistic Director at the Pasadena Playhouse and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Artistic Director at A Noise Within.

Two adults, a man and woman, stand outdoors with a balcony visible behind them.

Danny Feldman, Artistic Director at the Pasadena Playhouse and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Artistic Director at A Noise Within.

Two adults, a man and woman, stand outdoors with a balcony visible behind them.

Danny Feldman, Artistic Director at the Pasadena Playhouse and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Artistic Director at A Noise Within.

Two adults, a man and woman, stand outdoors with a balcony visible behind them.

Danny Feldman, Artistic Director at the Pasadena Playhouse and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Artistic Director at A Noise Within.

Two adults, a man and woman, stand outdoors with a balcony visible behind them.

Danny Feldman, Artistic Director at the Pasadena Playhouse and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Artistic Director at A Noise Within.

Invest in our work

Arts & Culture Grantmaking

Help us expand our impact! Your donation supports artistic expression, cultural enrichment, and greater access to the arts in our community.

Student smiling in art class holding her clay jar