The Puffin Foundation West seeks to open the doors of artistic expression by providing grants to artist activists and arts organizations that are often excluded from mainstream opportunities due to race, gender, or social philosophy.  

To that end, the foundation is accepting applications from arts organizations and projects in Ohio that seek to enrich and inform the public on important topics such as the environment, social justice, civil rights, and other contemporary issues facing the country (and the planet) that other funders might hesitate to fund. The foundation will give special consideration to communities and school districts that are underserved by the arts.

The foundation will consider projects from individual artists and organizations working within the visual arts, dance, music, theater, photography, film/video, writing, poetry, and public interest platforms. In 2018, and in honor of the foundation receiving the Ohio Governor’s Arts Patron Award, all grants will awarded to residents of and/or nonprofit organizations based in Ohio.

Average grant amount will range between $550 and $2,500.

Individuals as well as nonprofit educational, cultural, and social justice organizations in Ohio are eligible to apply.

See the Puffin Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.