GRANTMAKING

WHAT WE FUND

AE&E Fund prioritizes giving in the arts and education sectors in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Grant applicants must be classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or have valid a fiscal sponsorship agreement.

We prioritize grants for the following types of initiatives:

  • Capacity Building – Capacity building is an investment in the future sustainability of a professional arts organization or independent school and its people. Successful applicants will demonstrate how the funds will strengthen their organization and increase its effectiveness now and in the future. We support projects that leverage an organization’s ability to enhance their fundraising, marketing, or strategic planning opportunities.

  • Exhibitions/Performances – We provide financial support for professional arts organizations/schools/artists to present a body of work in a museum, school, community space, or theater. We prioritize partnerships with professional visual and performing arts organizations.

  • Fellowships/Residencies – Fellowships/Residencies with professional arts organizations immerse artists or young professionals in a career path or artistic practice. We support organizations and artists that provide/receive an intensive series of mentoring or studio sessions with professional artists or curators.

  • Publications/Documentation – We offer financial support to produce digital, written, or recorded materials. All applications require a clear publication plan, page count, number of copies, budget, project timeline, project management plan, and distribution strategies.

  • Scholarship/Education – Our scholarship and education-related grants provide diverse and equitable advancement for underrepresented populations. The primary focus is with independent schools serving youth in grades K-12.

AE&E Fund evaluates our grantmaking focus consistently. Therefore, previous grants may vary from current funding priorities.

We find that building a broad base of donors is one of many strategies to include in a development plan so we may offer matching grants to help energize your outreach and encourage others to support your organization.

We encourage your organization to apply for AE&E Fund funding as a springboard to seek matching donations, seed unique initiatives or help achieve an organizational milestone. Our preference is to work together for a 2 to 3 year period, after which a pause will take place.

AE&E Fund grants typically range between $10,000 – $25,000. On occasion, larger grants are established for programs requiring long-term funding. We welcome ideas that span two or more organizations or demonstrate partnership potential.

We do not fund: afterschool programs, workforce development, medical research, mental health, healthcare, government grants, grants to individuals, scholarships to individuals, start-up organizations, political or lobbying grants, community gardens, humanitarian grants, literary arts.

WHAT WE ASK OF OUR PARTNERS

Clear Goals and Success Metrics
Express ideas and desired outcomes with clarity

Good Stewardship
Direct funds to the agreed upon programming

Relationship Building and Consistent Communications
Help us keep our grantee network vibrant and informative by regularly sharing information about your organization’s activities, challenges, and events.

PROCESS

All AE&E Fund grant applicants must complete a two-step application process through our online grant portal.

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
A short application and brief introduction for AE&E Fund to get to know you, your organization, and/or your project.
*LOI Question List PDF

Step 2: Full Application
If your LOI indicates alignment with our current focus areas, we will invite you to complete a full application that adds detail to your previously completed LOI.
*Application Question List PDF

Step 3: Communications
After completion of your full application, our staff will schedule further conversations with you for additional information or clarifications.

2025 DEADLINES

AE&E Fund awards grants two times per year.*

Spring Cycle

The Spring 2025 Grant Cycle opens on February 14, 2025 and closes at midnight on February 28, 2025. All applicants will be informed of their status by March 14, 2025.

If invited, the spring Application is due by midnight on March 31, 2025. All applicants will receive notice of their status by April 15, 2025. Organizations selected for funding will receive funds by April 30, 2025.

Fall Cycle

The Fall 2025 Grant Cycle opens on September 1, 2025, and closes at midnight on September 15, 2025. All applicants will be informed of their status by September 30, 2025.

If invited, the fall Application is due by midnight on October 15, 2025. All applicants will receive notice of their status by November 1, 2025. Organizations selected for funding will receive funds by November 19, 2025.

*Please note: dates may be subject to change.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you have a minimum grant amount?

Our grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 with select multi-year commitments.

Can I submit more than one application a year?

We limit grant awards to one per year per organization. If an initial grant proposal does not receive funding, organizations may submit a second request within the same calendar year.

If I was funded last year, can I apply for funding for the same project this year?

We welcome you to apply once annually. AE&E Fund is unlikely to fund commitments at the same organization for more than 3 consecutive years without a 1-2 year break.

How can I apply with a Fiscal Sponsor?

Please refer to our Fiscal Sponsorship Guide.