GRANTMAKING

A MESSAGE TO OUR POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

AE&E Fund remains committed to supporting the artists, educators, and nonprofits whose work strengthens our region and inspires meaningful change.

To refine our funding strategy and deepen our long-term impact, AE&E Fund will transition to one annual open grant cycle each spring. In place of an open fall cycle, we will invest in multi-year partnerships that will allow us to direct our resources more intentionally, strengthen relationships, and provide more reliable support to organizations working to create lasting change. An announcement regarding the first round of multi-year grants will be made in the fall of 2026.

The next open grant cycle will commence in February 2027. We look forward to partnering with organizations and initiatives that foster systemic change throughout Greater Pittsburgh and beyond.

We encourage everyone to visit our website regularly and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, future opportunities, additional information about our grantmaking, and announcements about grantee activities.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the communities you serve.

~AE&E Fund Team

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 – We support professional arts organizations that host fellowship and residency programs. The fellowship or residency should immerse artists or young professionals in a career path or artistic practice. These opportunities must offer an intensive series of mentoring and studio sessions with professional artists or curators.

  • Publications/Documentation – We offer financial support to produce arts-related digital, written, or recorded materials, such as exhibition catalogues or documentary films. Projects should empower artists to create lasting documentation of their work, inspire scholarship, and inform future generations of art enthusiasts. All applications require a clear publication plan, page count, number of copies, budget, project timeline, project management plan, and distribution strategies.

  • Scholarships – Our scholarship-related grants provide equitable advancement for underrepresented populations. The primary focus is for independent schools to develop scholarship opportunities for students 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.

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.