Wolf Trap Foundation For The Performing Arts

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $72,800 (in grants to teachers, 2021)
Decision Time: Notified in October (applications due October 1)
Grant Range: $2,500 - $5,000
Geographic Focus: DC, Maryland, and Virginia metro area (specific counties/cities only)
Total Revenue: $72.6 million (FY 2023)

Contact Details

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts 1645 Trap Road Vienna, VA 22182

Phone: (703) 255-1900 or 1-877-WOLF-TRAP (965-3872)
Website: www.wolftrap.org
Grants Email: edugrants@wolftrap.org
Grants Page: wolftrap.org/education/grants-for-teachers

Overview

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with EIN 23-7011544, operates Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in partnership with the National Park Service. Under the leadership of President and CEO Arvind Manocha since 2013, the Foundation has nearly doubled its budget and recently completed a landmark $75 million capital campaign—the largest in the organization's history. The Foundation's mission is "to present and create excellent and innovative performing arts programs for the enrichment, education, and enjoyment of diverse audiences and participants." Wolf Trap Education reaches over 100,000 children, educators, and families across the US and Singapore annually through active learning through the arts. While Wolf Trap primarily receives grants to support its own performing arts and education programs, it also operates a targeted grant-making program specifically for public school performing arts teachers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Grants for High School and Middle School Performing Arts Teachers

High School Grants: Up to $5,000 per project
Middle School Grants: Up to $2,500 per project
Application Method: Online application, annual deadline (October 1)
Number of Awards: 13-14 grants awarded annually

The majority of grant funds must be used for student instruction and learning. Projects typically support artist residencies, master classes with professional performing artists, commissions for original works, and technology-enhanced performing arts education.

Priority Areas

Wolf Trap encourages projects aligned with the following priorities:

Technology in the Arts: Innovative uses of technology in performing arts education
Arts and the Environment: "Green" projects and environmentally-focused performances
Arts Integration: Exploring core academic subjects or STEM through artistic disciplines
Arts and Social Change: Projects centered around student-identified community issues
Artist Residencies: Extended collaborations with professional performing artists providing instruction over time
Master Classes: Intensive sessions where students work closely with professional artists on specific skills
Commissions: Creating original dance, music, or theatre pieces in collaboration with students

All projects must culminate in a performance or presentation of student learning.

What They Don't Fund

Projects outside the eligible geographic area (DC, Montgomery County MD, Prince George's County MD, Loudoun County VA, Arlington County VA, Falls Church City VA, Alexandria City VA, Fairfax County VA)
Private school teachers (public schools only)
Elementary school teachers (middle and high school only)
Projects not in music, dance, or theater disciplines

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Arvind Manocha, President & CEO (since 2013): Described as "driven by a lifelong passion for music in all its forms," Manocha has expanded Wolf Trap's artistic reach while emphasizing both excellence and accessibility. Under his leadership, the Foundation's budget has nearly doubled, and he oversaw the landmark $75 million capital campaign.

Beth Brummel, Chief Operating Officer: Directs Wolf Trap's communications and marketing, hospitality, patron services, education, human resources, and government relations teams.

Akua F. Kouyate-Tate, Vice President, Education: Oversees Wolf Trap's education programs, including the grants program for teachers.

Other key executives include Sara Beesley (VP, Programming and Production), Sara Jaffe (VP, Development), Lee Anne Myslewski (VP, Opera and Classical Programming), John Giambalvo (VP, Finance), and Jo LaBrecque-French (VP, Communications and Marketing).

Board of Directors

Honorary Chair: Mrs. Melania Trump
Chairman: Daniel A. D'Aniello
Vice Chair and Secretary: Margaret Gupta
Treasurer: Matthew R. Korn

The Board includes over 50 directors representing major corporations and philanthropic organizations throughout the Washington, DC region.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online portal accessible at wolftrap.org/education/grants-for-teachers. Applicants cannot save an incomplete application and must complete the entire online form in one session. Applicants are given the choice of describing their project in written or video format.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a public high school or middle school teacher of music, dance, or theater
Must currently teach in one of the following jurisdictions: Washington, DC; Montgomery County, Maryland; Prince George's County, Maryland; Loudoun County, Virginia; Arlington County, Virginia; Falls Church City, Virginia; Alexandria City, Virginia; or Fairfax County, Virginia

Decision Timeline

October 1: Application deadline
October: Grant awardees notified
April: Grants Day Field Trip at Wolf Trap for awardees
November - June: Project implementation and completion period

Selection Process

A selection panel consisting of county performing arts coordinators/supervisors, local performing artists, and former grantees reviews completed applicant proposals using established selection criteria.

Success Rates

Wolf Trap awards 13-14 grants annually. Recent award cycles include:

2024-2025: 14 grants awarded
2023-2024: 13 grants awarded
2022-2023: 8 grants awarded

The total number of applicants and overall success rate are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified. Interested teachers should contact edugrants@wolftrap.org for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on recent successful applications and Wolf Trap's stated priorities, strong applications typically include:

Professional Artist Collaboration: Projects that bring professional performing artists into the classroom for extended residencies or intensive master classes consistently receive funding. Examples include partnerships with professional dance companies, string quartets, and performing artists specializing in specific cultural traditions.

Cultural Relevance and Diversity: Recent funded projects demonstrate strong emphasis on culturally specific traditions and diverse artistic forms, such as Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian martial arts, Go-Go music's historical roots and social justice connections, and intergenerational arts programs.

Student-Centered Learning: Projects that position students as active creators and performers rather than passive recipients are favored. Successful examples include students composing original Go-Go music, creating devised theater works around themes important to their school community, and performing side-by-side with professional musicians.

Community Connections: Projects that extend beyond the classroom to engage broader communities receive strong consideration, such as the FRUIT program connecting high school students with older adults through creative movement to share stories across generations.

Innovation and Uniqueness: Projects that explore emerging connections, such as the intersection of classical music and video game music, or incorporate new approaches to traditional art forms stand out.

Clear Alignment with Wolf Trap Priorities: Applications that explicitly address one or more of Wolf Trap's priority areas (Technology in the Arts, Arts and the Environment, Arts Integration, Arts and Social Change) and clearly articulate how the project supports these goals are more competitive.

Culminating Performance: All successful projects include a clear plan for a public performance or presentation where students demonstrate their learning.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic Restriction is Strict: Only public school teachers in seven specific Virginia counties/cities, two Maryland counties, and DC are eligible—confirm eligibility before investing time in the application
Professional Artist Partnerships Are Essential: Nearly all funded projects involve bringing professional performing artists into the classroom for residencies, master classes, or side-by-side performances
Cultural Diversity and Social Relevance Matter: Recent funded projects strongly emphasize culturally specific traditions, social justice themes, and intergenerational or community connections
Video Option Available: Applicants can describe their project in video format rather than written form, which may be advantageous for visually demonstrating the proposed artistic work
Selection Panel Includes Practitioners: Former grantees, county coordinators, and local artists review applications, so speak the language of performing arts educators and demonstrate pedagogical soundness
Timeline Requires Planning: With an October 1 deadline and project completion by June, teachers need to plan how their proposed project fits the academic calendar
Contact for Questions: The Foundation welcomes inquiries at edugrants@wolftrap.org—don't hesitate to reach out for clarification before applying

References

Accessed: December 23, 2025