New concerts, theatrical performances, exhibits, youth programs and much more are coming to Broward County, thanks to 27 special grants to support art and cultural organizations, made possible by Wayne and Lucretia Weiner’s Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward.
In April, Wayne and Lucretia partnered with Community Foundation to launch the WLW Catalyst Grants. These new grants create transformative impact by enabling arts and cultural organizations to strengthen existing programs, implement bold new initiatives, increase reach and/or enhance organizational capabilities.
More than 100 local nonprofits submitted letters of intent to be considered for the WLW Catalyst Grants, which provide up to $200,000 over two years to each grant recipient. This summer, with support from the Community Foundation, the WLW Catalyst Grants were awarded to 27 dynamic organizations that will use the support to elevate art and culture in Broward.
For example, Stranahan House will use the WLW Catalyst Grant to expand its reach online by creating a realistic Stranahan House within the Metaverse that enables more people to learn about and experience this historic attraction. The Slow Burn Theatre Company plans to use its grant to bolster costume and set production, launch a costume and prop rental service that generates income to support its mission and incorporate a training program focused on technical theatre and backstage trades that leads to new careers. Mad Arts will expand its hands-on art and technology training program for students and young adults in underserved communities, while also providing more support for emerging South Florida artists.
The 27 WLW Catalyst Grant recipients include:
- African American Research Library and Cultural Center
- Art Prevails Project
- Black Violin Foundation
- BLINC
- Brazilian Voices
- Brévo Theatre
- Broward Art Guild
- Broward Performing Arts Foundation
- Business for the Arts Broward
- Developing Dreams Foundation
- Exceptional Theater Company
- Florida Atlantic University
- History Fort Lauderdale
- Gold Coast Jazz Society
- Hued Songs
- Las Olas Capital Arts
- Mad Arts
- Master Chorale of South Florida
- Museum of Discovery and Science
- New Canon Chamber Collective
- New City Players
- Ocean Rescue Alliance International
- Pompano Beach Hive Theater
- The Pride Center at Equality Park
- Seraphic Fire
- Slow Burn Theatre
- Stranahan House
Fifteen of the organizations are receiving their first grants from Wayne and Lucretia’s Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation.
“We are grateful to the Community Foundation for introducing us to organizations unfamiliar to us. We were delighted to discover new opportunities to enliven our community and to enable more people to experience art and culture in Broward,” Wayne and Lucretia said. “We’re excited to see the transformative impact of the WLW Catalyst Grants in the coming years.”
“Elevating art and culture is essential to thriving communities,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “The WLW Catalyst Grants are a powerful example of how the Community Foundation partners with philanthropists to support their charitable passions, so together we can transform and uplift the community we love.”
Championing Art & Culture
The WLW Catalyst Grants are provided in addition to the Community Foundation’s longtime commitment to Art & Culture, which is one of our six leadership and grantmaking focus areas. Community Foundation support expands, elevates and sustains the arts community and increases exposure to unique historical and cultural experiences for all residents. Last year, we provided nearly $4 million in grants for Art & Culture in Broward, thanks to partnerships with philanthropists who create charitable funds at the Community Foundation to support Art & Culture.
To learn more about partnering with the Community Foundation of Broward to create bold impact fir the community you love, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Kelly Marmol at kmarmol@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
