Stepping Stone Grant Program
The Bayless Family Foundation is proud to announce their continued commitment to the sustainability of Chicago’s vital theatre community with the return of the Stepping Stone Grant. Award of this multi-year grant was paused briefly during the pandemic as the Foundation sought to prioritize responsive giving through 25 Signal Grant Awards, intended to support theatres as they returned to the stage following long closures.
Stepping Stone grant recipients receive $180,000, awarded over three years, to aid the intentional growth and sustainability of the organization. Applications are now open to all Chicago theatres.
2025 Stepping Stone Grant Applications are now OPEN.
Applications will be accepted through October 21st.
Chiara Mangiameli and Rick Bayless in Lookingglass Theatre Company’s production of Cascabel, 2014. Photo by Liz Lauren.
2025 Stepping Stone Grant Application:
To be eligible, organizations must:
• Be a registered 501(c)3 organization presenting theatre in the Chicago area, with preference given to theatres located in the City of Chicago.
• Maintained standing as a charitable organization for at least 5 years.
• Have an annual expense budget of at least $250,000
Organizational Information:
Name of Organization
EIN
Your Name
Contact Phone Number
Mailing Address (Street Address, City, State, Zip Code)
Is this address also your performance space?
Are you an Itinerant company?
Performance Venue Address (if different from mailing address) (Street Address, City, State, Zip Code)
In 2024-2025, are you presenting theatre productions in the Chicago area?
Can you please briefly describe the productions in your 2025-2026 season? And how many of these productions are running for at least two consecutive weeks?
Has your organization been in continuous operation as a registered charitable arts organization for the past 5 years?
What year were you founded?
What is your organization’s mission statement?
Total Budget of Current Fiscal Year?
Current Fiscal Year End Date?
Does your organization operate under an AEA contract?
Briefly describe your staff structure, including numbers of paid full-time and part-time staff, contractors/stipend workers, Board and volunteers?
Project Information:
Briefly describe the specific barrier you would like to remove, the need you would fulfill, or the project or position this grant would fund: (250 words) *
If you were awarded this grant, how would the removal of your barrier sustain the vitality of the organization for the three years of this grant and beyond? (1000 words) *
What are the goals and plans that your organization is currently pursuing that will sustain you and fuel your growth for the next 3-5 years and beyond? (1000 word limit) * -Note: We understand there are high levels of uncertainty and difficulty in the current moment, and we hope you will help us understand how you are navigating this time and planning the future of your organization.
Financial Information:
**Three consecutive years of figures from either: 2021, 2022, 2023, and/or 2024.
Total Expenses
Total Salaries/wages paid
Total Contributed Income
Total Performance Revenue
Total Other Revenue
If the above numbers don’t generally represent the broad-stokes finances of your organization, or if you feel more context is needed, feel free to elaborate here.