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Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.3M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $245,000 - $260,000 (via Science on Screen grants)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $9,000 per organization
  • Geographic Focus: United States (45 states + DC)
  • Total Grants Since 2011: Over $3 million to 140+ organizations
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6 weeks (applications due mid-August, notification late September)
  • Application Method: Fixed annual deadline

Contact Details

Overview

The Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation was established in 1988 to save the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre, an Art Deco cinema built in 1933 that was threatened with demolition. The Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with total assets of approximately $28.8 million and annual revenue of $7.67 million (FY 2024). The organization's mission is "to entertain, inform, and engage — building a vital community through film culture."

The Foundation's grant-making activity is conducted through its Science on Screen® program, launched in 2005 and expanded nationally in 2011 through a partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This initiative has awarded over $3 million in grants to 140 film and science-focused organizations across 45 states and Washington, DC. The Coolidge receives funding from the Sloan Foundation specifically to administer and distribute these grants to independent cinemas, museums, and community organizations with film programs nationwide. The organization holds a 4-star rating (96%) from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Science on Screen® Grants (up to $9,000 per organization)

  • Primary grant program supporting US-based nonprofit art house theaters and museums with film programs
  • Funds creation and presentation of three or more Science on Screen events
  • Events pair expert-led discussions of scientific topics with film screenings
  • Administered annually with fixed application deadline

Alumni-Level Grants (minimum $2,500)

  • Available to organizations that have participated in Science on Screen for five or more seasons
  • Reduced application requirements
  • Less competitive process

Priority Areas

  • Science education and outreach: Programs that blend entertainment with scientific enlightenment
  • Independent cinema support: Nonprofit art house theaters, museums, and community organizations with film programs
  • Film-science pairings: Creative connections between classic, cult, or documentary films and current scientific research
  • Geographic diversity: Commitment to reaching organizations across all US states
  • Community engagement: Events that bring together film audiences with working scientists

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside the United States
  • For-profit cinemas or theaters
  • Organizations without established film programming capability
  • Projects that do not involve film-science pairings
  • One-time screening events (minimum of three events required)
  • Projects that cannot demonstrate nonprofit status

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Katherine Tallman — Executive Director & CEO (stepping down in 2026 after 12 years of leadership)
  • Beth Gilligan — Deputy Director (16 years with organization; will succeed Tallman as head of the nonprofit)
  • Mark Anastasio — Artistic Director (promoted from Program Director)

Key Program Staff

  • Sophie Blum — Director of Education
  • Hannah Schockmel — Associate Director of Development
  • Emily Eustace — Director of Finance and Administration

Board Leadership

  • David Rosenthal — Board Chair
  • Jason Cole — Board Chair (transitional)

The organization employs approximately 25-61 staff members.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review eligibility: Confirm your organization is a US-based nonprofit art house theater, museum with film programming, or film festival with year-round operations
  2. Gather materials:
    • Completed application form (different forms for new vs. returning grantees)
    • Proposed budget template
    • Current operating budget
    • IRS tax-exempt determination letter (new applicants only)
  3. Submit application: Email to info@scienceonscreen.org with subject line: "2025–26 SoS application: [organization name]"

Application Types

New/Non-Recent Applicants (never received grant or not within past 5 years):

  • Full application form
  • Budget template and operating budget
  • Proof of nonprofit status

Returning Grantees (received grant within 5 years):

  • Returning grantee application form
  • Budget template and operating budget

Alumni Applicants (5+ seasons of participation):

  • Reduced requirements
  • Less competitive process
  • Lower-level award (minimum $2,500)

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: August 13, 2025 (for 2025-26 season)
  • Notification: Late September 2025
  • Grant Period: October 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
  • Final Report Due: July 15 following grant period

Success Rates

The program awards grants to approximately 40-43 organizations annually from the applicant pool. In 2024-25, 41 grants were awarded totaling $250,000. In 2025-26, 43 grants were awarded totaling over $260,000.

Reapplication Policy

Current and previous grantees are explicitly eligible to reapply. There is no waiting period for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations that have participated for five or more seasons may qualify for the alumni-level grant with reduced requirements.

Application Success Factors

Film Selection Requirements

At least one film screened must be either:

  • A past recipient of the annual Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize
  • A film developed through a Sloan Development Grant

Lists of eligible films are available at scienceonscreen.org.

Event Format Expectations

Successful grantees must:

  • Present a minimum of three Science on Screen events during the grant period
  • Pair each screening with an expert-led discussion connecting the film to current scientific topics
  • Past successful pairings have included:
    • Airplane! paired with a discussion of automation in aviation
    • Fight Club paired with a discussion of the psychology of aggression
    • Soylent Green paired with a discussion of the future of the global food supply

Grant Requirements

  • Professionally videotape one presentation and submit via Dropbox
  • Obtain signed release forms from all speakers
  • Use official Science on Screen® branding with registered trademark symbol
  • Include acknowledgment on all promotional materials: "An initiative of the COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE, with major support from the ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION"
  • Submit final evaluation report by July 15 following grant period
  • Participation in National Evening of Science on Screen is encouraged but not mandatory

What Makes Applications Stand Out

  • Demonstrated ability to recruit qualified speakers from science, technology, engineering, or medicine fields
  • Creative and compelling connections between chosen films and scientific topics
  • Track record of successful film programming and community engagement
  • Clear budget planning and organizational capacity
  • Geographic diversity (the program seeks to reach all US states)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Highly targeted program: This is specifically for US-based nonprofit cinemas, museums with film programs, and year-round film festivals — confirm your organization type before applying
  • Sloan Foundation partnership is central: At least one film must have a Sloan connection; familiarize yourself with eligible films before developing your program concept
  • Three-event minimum: Plan for at least three science-film pairings in your application
  • Strong speaker connections matter: Demonstrate your ability to recruit qualified experts from science, technology, and medical fields
  • Alumni track available: Organizations with 5+ seasons of participation have access to a simplified application process
  • Annual cycle: Fixed deadline in mid-August with decisions announced in late September
  • No application fee: Free to apply
  • Geographic reach is valued: The program has reached 45 states; organizations in underrepresented states may be of particular interest
  • Direct contact encouraged: Email info@scienceonscreen.org with questions about the application process

References

Accessed December 2025

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