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.
2023 Stepping Stone Grant have been announced
Chiara Mangiameli and Rick Bayless in Lookingglass Theatre Company’s production of Cascabel, 2014. Photo by Liz Lauren.
2023 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 budget of at least $250,000
Organizational Information:
Name of Organization
Your Name
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 2023-2024, are you presenting theatre productions in the Chicago area? (Tell us more)
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?
Are you a BIPOC-led organization?
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, 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) *
We recognize that the entire theatre industry has been affected in one way or another by a host of issues, including the Pandemic Shutdown and surrounding health concerns, social unrest and/or political disruption, changes in audience behavior, and uncertainty in the national economic forecast (inflation, employment issues, etc.). How has your organization shifted strategic priorities for the next 1-3 years? (1000 words)
Financial Information:
**Three consecutive years of figures from either: 2019, 2020, 2021, and/or 2022.
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.