New England Foundation For The Arts Inc (NEFA)

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $4.4 million in grants
Total Revenue: $19.2 million (FY 2024)
Total Assets: $42.4 million
Success Rate: 6.5% (National Dance Project); varies by program
Decision Time: 2-5 months depending on program
Grant Range: $500 - $110,000
Geographic Focus: New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) + National programs

Contact Details

Address: 321 Harrison Ave, Suite 420, Boston, MA 02118

Phone: 617-951-0010

Fax: 617-951-0016

Email: info@nefa.org

Website: www.nefa.org

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Overview

Founded in 1976, the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) is one of six United States Regional Arts Organizations established with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. With total assets of $42.4 million and annual revenue of $19.2 million, NEFA is a social impact organization that builds, sustains, and fights for arts and culture through grantmaking, partnerships, and advocacy in New England, nationally, and beyond.

NEFA serves the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) as a regional partner for the National Endowment for the Arts, New England's state arts agencies, and private foundations. The organization awards approximately $4.4 million in grants annually across multiple programs supporting dance, theater, public art, touring, and artist development.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Harold Steward, who joined in July 2023, NEFA has deepened its commitment to equity, diversity, intersectionality, access, and strides toward justice. The organization values an equitable, diverse, and inclusive world and acknowledges structural inequities that have excluded individuals and communities from opportunity based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, language, culture, and geography.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

National Dance Project (NDP) Production Grant: $100,000 total package

$45,000 for creation of new dance project
$10,000 in unrestricted general operating support
$10,000 for Production Residencies for Dance and/or Community Engagement
$30,000 distributed across three payments ($50,000 initial, $30,000 interim, $30,000 final)
20 grants awarded annually through competitive two-stage application
NDP Finalist Awards: $10,000 in unrestricted funding (20 additional awards)
Deadline: February 28 (preliminary application)
Application Method: Two-stage process with NDP Advisors providing guidance

National Theater Project (NTP) Creation & Touring Grant: $110,000

Supports artist-led, ensemble, devised theater projects
10 grants awarded annually (highly competitive)
NTP Artist Development grants: $10,000 for finalists not receiving full award
Note: Final cycle in current format completed in 2024

New England States Touring (NEST) Grant: $500 - $10,000

NEST 1 & 2: Up to 60% of artist fee, maximum $5,000
NEST 3: Up to 60% of artist fee, maximum $10,000
Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request full fee
Rolling/multiple deadline structure
Application Method: Online portal
Requires CreativeGround artist profile with specific content requirements

Public Art for Spatial Justice: $15,000 - $30,000

Two-year grant period
Massachusetts-based artists and organizations
Projects that creatively express spatial justice through public artmaking
15 grants awarded (recent cycle: $435,000 total)
Deadline: Early December (annual)
Notification: Late February, projects begin March

Public Art Learning Fund (PALF): $500 - $3,000

Professional development for New England artists
Supports conferences, workshops, training, skill-building
No geographic limitations for the opportunity (e.g., can attend out-of-state conferences)
70 grants awarded in FY25 ($151,200 total)
Deadline: October (for opportunities January-December following year)
Application Method: Online portal

New England Dance Fund: $500 - $1,000

Supports New England-based choreographers
Career advancement opportunities in dance
Application Method: Online portal

New Work New England: $7,500 - $15,000 (Program Status: Pilot program ended)

Three-year pilot program (2020-2023)
Supported artists creating new work for multiple New England communities
Future opportunities to be considered in next strategic planning process

Priority Areas

NEFA actively funds projects that:

Demonstrate excellence in artistic practice
Contribute to cultural and aesthetic diversity in the arts
Center equity, access, and justice in artistic work
Support creation and touring of new work
Build meaningful community engagement and relationships
Advance artists' professional development and career growth
Create public art that embodies spatial justice
Support devised and ensemble-based theater and dance

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions vary by program, NEFA generally does not fund:

Projects outside their program areas (must align with specific grant guidelines)
Artists or organizations without required residency (for regional programs requiring New England residency)
Highly edited promotional videos as work samples (full performance samples preferred)
Projects that don't meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in each program

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Harold Steward, Executive Director (since July 2023)

Previously Executive Director & Cultural Strategist at The Theatre Offensive (Boston)
Former positions: Artistic Director at Portland Institute for Contemporary Art; Artistic Director at Dance Theater Workshop (New York)

Steward stated upon his appointment: "NEFA plays an important role in the cultural landscape of New England and nationally. It is exciting to have this opportunity to lead an organization of this scale whose values align with my own, and where I can bring my experience to bear alongside the dedicated NEFA staff and board."

His strategic priorities include:

Prioritizing programs proven to increase equity and access
Deepening commitment to equity, diversity, intersectionality, access, and strides toward justice

Previous Leadership: Cathy Edwards served as Executive Director from January 2015 to May 2022, overseeing a strategic plan that led to new programs, operational sustainability, endowed funds, and clear commitment to equity and justice.

Board of Directors

Board Leadership:

Carrie Zaslow (Chair) – Providence Revolving Fund, Providence, RI
Angie Lane (Co-Vice Chair) – Red River Theatres, Concord, NH
Adele Sicilia (Co-Vice Chair) – New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
Iván Espinoza-Madrigal (Secretary) – Lawyers for Civil Rights, Boston, MA
Frank Mitchell (Treasurer) – Cultural Organizer, New Haven, CT

Board Members (15 total):

Dawn Gibson-Brehon – Apollo Theater, New Haven, CT/New York, NY
Amy Hausmann – Maine Arts Commission, Augusta, ME
John Henry – MarlinSpike, LLC, Natick, MA
Erinn King, CFA – Income Research + Management, Boston, MA
Susan Evans McClure – Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier, VT
Chip Newell – NewHeight Group, Portland, ME
Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy) – Akomawt Educational Initiative, Mashantucket, CT
Elizabeth Shapiro – Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
Todd Trebour – Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA)

Board Chair John Henry commented on Steward's appointment: "We are excited for the vision and energy that Harold will bring to our programs and services."

Governance Structure

NEFA operates with a Board of Directors supported by:

Executive Committee
Trustees Committee (focused on board membership and recruitment)
Advisory Council
Executive Affairs and Special Projects Officer (chief administrative liaison to Board and Advisory Council)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Portal: NEFA maintains a dedicated online grants application system accessible at nefa.org. Returning applicants can access their applications at nefa.org/return-your-grant-application.

Grant Finder Tool: The website offers a searchable grant database where applicants can filter by discipline (dance, music, theater, visual arts, etc.) and topic area to identify appropriate funding opportunities.

Pre-Application Support:

Educational webinars offered before deadline dates for specific grant programs
Information sessions and FAQ sessions available
Office hours and staff consultations available - applicants are encouraged to contact NEFA staff with questions
Program-specific overview videos available on website

Application Methods by Program:

National Dance Project: Two-stage process (preliminary application due February 28; finalists notified early May and paired with NDP Advisor for full proposal development)
National Theater Project: Two-stage process (preliminary application, then semifinalists advance to panel discussion and finalist selection)
NEST: Online application through grants portal (rolling/multiple deadlines)
Public Art for Spatial Justice: Online application (annual deadline early December)
Public Art Learning Fund: Online application (annual deadline mid-October)

Required Materials (vary by program but commonly include):

EIN number and nonprofit status documentation (for organizational applicants)
Artist resumes/CVs
Work samples (formatted exactly as specified in guidelines)
Project narratives addressing specific questions
Letters of support or partnership documentation
Budget information
CreativeGround artist profile (for certain programs)

Decision Timeline

National Dance Project:

Preliminary application deadline: February 28
Preliminary decisions: Early May
Finalists work with NDP Advisors on full proposals
Final awards announced: Varies (typically summer/fall)

National Theater Project:

Preliminary application deadline: Mid-October
Semifinalist selection: Following four-day virtual panel meeting
Finalist selection and awards: After advisor review of full proposals

NEST:

Multiple deadlines throughout year
Review period: Approximately 2-3 weeks after deadline

Public Art for Spatial Justice:

Application deadline: Early December
Notification: Late February
Grant period begins: March

Public Art Learning Fund:

Application deadline: Mid-October
Notification: Varies
Grant period: January-December following year

General Timeline: Most programs operate on 2-5 month timelines from submission to decision, with notification methods typically via email and through the online grants portal.

Success Rates

National Dance Project (NDP): Approximately 6.5% success rate

2025 cycle: 306 competitive applications received
40 projects selected as finalists (13% finalist rate)
20 Production Grants awarded (6.5% success rate)
20 Finalist Awards of $10,000 each

National Theater Project (NTP): Highly competitive

10 Creation & Touring Grants awarded annually
24 total finalists selected (all receive either $10,000 or $110,000)
Specific application numbers vary by year

Public Art Learning Fund: Increasingly competitive

FY25: 70 grants awarded (highest in program history)
31 first-time grantees in recent cycles
60% of NDP awardees are first-time recipients (demonstrating openness to new applicants)

Reapplication Policy

NEFA welcomes reapplications from unsuccessful applicants. Specific policies include:

Panel Feedback Provided: NEFA provides panel feedback to applicants not advancing to help strengthen future grant writing and work sample selections
No Waiting Period: No documented mandatory waiting period between applications
Advisor Support: For programs like NDP, finalists who don't receive Production Grants can reapply in subsequent years, and some do successfully receive awards
Encouraged to Reapply: NEFA's provision of detailed feedback suggests they actively encourage applicants to improve and resubmit

Application Success Factors

NEFA provides extensive guidance on what makes applications successful, drawn from staff expertise and advisor perspectives:

Direct Application Advice from NEFA

1. Answer Questions Directly and Fully "Review panelists are looking for specific answers to the questions asked on the application, and panelists have many applications to evaluate, so be clear and direct in your answers." Applicants should address specific prompts directly and focus on program goals.

2. Read Guidelines Thoroughly "Read the guidelines—including the funding criteria, eligibility, priorities, and goals—of the program." NEFA emphasizes researching recent grantees to understand the scale and scope of supported work, and ensuring alignment with program criteria.

3. Format and Technical Requirements Matter

Ensure application materials meet specifications for length and format of narratives, supporting materials, and work samples
Pay attention and adhere to character and word counts
Format work samples exactly as stipulated in directions
Test all links and passwords before submission

4. Work Sample Selection is Critical "Do not submit trailers or highly edited promo videos; sharing samples of full performances will help panelists in their assessment." NEFA recommends:

Tailoring selections to each program
Choosing fewer well-chosen examples over the maximum allowed
Providing full performance samples rather than promotional materials
Ensuring samples demonstrate excellence in artistic practice

5. Start Early and Proofread "Begin your application at least one week before the deadline" and "carefully proofread your application or ask someone else to review it, as typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors can hinder reviewers from understanding your application."

6. Define Your Terms For programs like National Theater Project, "applicants provide their own definitions of excellence and success for their project, as it's important for advisors to understand what they should know to fairly assess the application."

7. Demonstrate Process and Development Readiness "Applicants must describe their devising/development process" and advisors want to see "whether it's the right time to fund the project."

Panel Review Process Insights

NEFA provides transparency about their review process:

Structured Discussion Format:

Lead reader highlights application strengths and weaknesses
Second reader adds observations not covered by lead reader
Other advisors expand dialogue with additional perspectives
Advisors score applications anonymously using online platform
Scores are averaged to guide deliberations

Equity and Bias Reduction:

NEFA staff "make sure discussions stay focused on funding criteria, listen for and address any biases that could emerge"
The organization avoids "a quota approach" while aiming to "amplify the cultural and aesthetic diversities of today's dance field"
Advisors can recuse themselves if unable to assess a project objectively

What Reviewers Look For:

Excellence in artistic practice (artist-defined)
Clear contribution to cultural and aesthetic diversity
Meaningful community engagement plans (for applicable programs)
Demonstration of ensemble/devised process (for theater)
Strong articulation of artistic vision and strategies
Understanding of project context: "why this project, why here, why now"
Projects that "center each other's humanity through just and mutually beneficial relationships built on trust, accountability, and reciprocity" (Public Art for Spatial Justice)

Program-Specific Success Factors

National Dance Project:

Demonstrate excellence in choreographic practice
Show clear touring and engagement strategy
Articulate how the project contributes to dance field diversity
Present work samples that represent the proposed project's aesthetic

National Theater Project:

Clearly define and demonstrate ensemble and devised process
Show strong development partner relationships
Articulate contribution to theater field beyond the creative team
Demonstrate readiness for the development phase

NEST:

Maintain complete CreativeGround profile with required content (photos, videos, engagement history)
Demonstrate artist's track record through documented engagements
Show alignment between artist and presenting organization's missions

Public Art Programs:

Articulate clear spatial justice framework and community relationships
Demonstrate trust, accountability, and reciprocity in partnerships
Show how professional development connects to artistic practice (PALF)

Strategic Advantages

Building Relationships: "Contact NEFA staff if you have questions or problems; staff are available to help clarify eligibility and provide guidance." NEFA encourages direct communication and views this as building beneficial relationships.

Leveraging Resources: "Utilize guidelines, FAQs, information sessions, and office hours. Contact funders with questions to build relationships and gain insights."

CreativeGround Profile: Maintaining a strong profile in NEFA's CreativeGround database demonstrates active engagement with the New England arts community and is required for several programs.

Understanding Post-Award Expectations: "Understand final report requirements, crediting obligations, and any mandatory participation before applying" helps applicants prepare for success beyond the grant award.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Excellence is Artist-Defined: NEFA asks applicants to define their own standards of excellence and success, allowing for diverse artistic perspectives rather than imposing a single definition. This means you should clearly articulate your artistic values and how your project meets your own standards.
Equity and Access are Core Values: With leadership explicitly prioritizing "programs proven to increase equity and access" and deepening commitment to justice, applications that authentically address these values and demonstrate meaningful community relationships will resonate strongly.
Process Matters as Much as Product: For ensemble theater and dance programs, NEFA wants to understand your devising/development process, not just the final artistic product. Clearly articulate your methodology and collaborative approaches.
Transparency and Feedback Culture: NEFA provides panel feedback to unsuccessful applicants and operates with transparent review processes, indicating they want to support applicants' growth over time. Use feedback to strengthen reapplications.
Full Performance Samples Over Promotion: Avoid highly edited promotional videos; instead, share full performance samples that allow reviewers to deeply understand your artistic work. Quality over marketing polish.
Competitiveness Varies by Program: National programs (NDP, NTP) are highly competitive (6-10% success rates) while regional programs may have different dynamics. Understand the competitive landscape for your target program.
Start Early, Contact Staff, Build Relationships: NEFA actively encourages applicant questions and staff consultation. This isn't just about clarifying guidelines—it's about building authentic relationships with a funder that values connection and dialogue.
CreativeGround Profile is Strategic: For regional programs, maintaining a robust CreativeGround profile with engagement history, work samples, and partnership documentation demonstrates your active presence in the New England arts ecosystem.
National Reach from Regional Base: While NEFA serves New England, programs like NDP and NTP support national touring and have national eligibility, offering opportunities for artists and organizations nationwide.
Two-Stage Processes Offer Support: Programs like NDP pair finalists with advisors who provide guidance on full proposal development—this mentorship is part of the funding process and valuable even for those who don't receive final awards.

References

New England Foundation for the Arts official website: https://www.nefa.org/ (Accessed January 2025)
NEFA Grant Programs page: https://www.nefa.org/grants-programs/grant-programs (Accessed January 2025)
NEFA Board of Directors & Staff: https://www.nefa.org/about/board-directors-staff (Accessed January 2025)
"The New England Foundation for the Arts Names Harold Steward as Next Executive Director," NEFA News, April 2023: https://www.nefa.org/news/new-england-foundation-arts-names-harold-steward-next-executive-director (Accessed January 2025)
"10 Application Tips for NEFA's Grant Programs," NEFA News: https://www.nefa.org/news/10-application-tips-nefas-grant-programs (Accessed January 2025)
"NEFAns' Tips for Successful Grant Writing," NEFA News: https://www.nefa.org/news/nefans-tips-successful-grant-writing (Accessed January 2025)
National Dance Project Production Grant page: https://www.nefa.org/NationalDanceProject (Accessed January 2025)
National Dance Project Production Grant Review Process: https://www.nefa.org/national-dance-project-production-grant-review-process (Accessed January 2025)
"NEFA's National Dance Project Announces 2025 Production Awards," NEFA News: https://www.nefa.org/news/nefas-national-dance-project-announces-2025-production-awards (Accessed January 2025)
National Theater Project page: https://www.nefa.org/grants/grant-programs/national-theater-project (Accessed January 2025)
New England States Touring (NEST) Grant: https://www.nefa.org/NEST (Accessed January 2025)
Public Art for Spatial Justice: https://www.nefa.org/CreateSpatialJustice (Accessed January 2025)
Public Art Learning Fund: https://www.nefa.org/PublicArtLearningFund (Accessed January 2025)
"NEFA Announces 70 Recipients of the Public Art Learning Fund," NEFA News: https://www.nefa.org/news/nefa-announces-70-recipients-public-art-learning-fund (Accessed January 2025)
NEST Artist Requirements: https://www.nefa.org/nest-artist-requirements (Accessed January 2025)
CreativeGround: https://www.creativeground.org/ (Accessed January 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - New England Foundation For The Arts Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42593591 (Accessed January 2025)
"New England Foundation for the Arts," U.S. Regional Arts Organizations: https://usregionalarts.org/nefa/ (Accessed January 2025)
American Theatre, "Harold Steward Is Named NEFA Executive Director," April 2023: https://www.americantheatre.org/2023/04/04/harold-steward-is-named-nefa-executive-director/ (Accessed January 2025)
Inside Philanthropy, "New England Foundation for the Arts": https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-n/new-england-foundation-for-the-arts (Accessed January 2025)