For the 2025-26 round, FFA is accepting applications for
performances and gatherings that meet the following criteria:

1. Must be available to the general public;
2. Must center the Flow Arts as the main focus of the performance, not as an accessory to other types of performance such as burlesque or circus;
3. A solo performer or troupe producing their own self-produced show can apply;
4. Funds received from Fund the Flow Arts may not be used to acquire flow tools or props but can be used to cover other overhead costs related to the production.

Grants are offered in the following tiers:

• Tier 1: up to $1,000
• Tier 2: $1,001 – $5,000
• Tier 3: $5,001 – $10,000

Tier 1 is intended for trying out new, bold, experimental ideas – it is the start-up level.
Tiers 2 and 3 are intended for projects that have a track record of public presentation or engagement, are more established and demonstrate collaboration with (or support from) community partners.

ABOUT THE SEED FUND – READ BEFORE YOU APPLY

The Seed Fund was created to support smaller, grassroots projects that fulfill Fund the Flow Arts’ mission to promote, spread awareness and appreciation of, and spread the practice of the prop manipulation-based Flow Arts, and fostering local Flow Arts communities. 

Projects that best fit this purpose will be public-facing activities that both engage local flow arts communities and encourage the participation of newcomers. Projects that center community participation, rather than an individual’s personal exploration or development, are more likely to be competitive.

As the Seed Fund is meant for projects that will expand the community, we do not fund projects that will only be seen at private events or benefit small groups of people exclusively. Additionally at this time, we are not funding projects based outside the United States. Exceptions can be made if your project is sponsored by a US-based institution or will have benefits that will be shared around the world, like research projects with publishable results, or resources that can be shared worldwide.

Examples of projects that would qualify for funding include:

• Promotion/creation of social spaces and activities for Flow Artists including, but not limited to, flow jams;
• Events or Festivals dedicated to the Flow Arts;
• Performances available to the general public;
• Documentary or film presentation focusing on flow arts/ flow arts film screenings/festivals.

Examples of projects that would not qualify for funding include:

• Creation of shows/performances for private parties, or private/corporate events;
• Promotion of a troupe for the purpose of getting hired for private events;
• Performances by troupes or companies based in non-US countries;
• Creation of technology or resources intended to be used/exhibited among a closed group of people.

To apply, complete the application form and include any applicable attachments.

Application Period:

• October 1 – December 31, 2025
• Deadline: December 31, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
• Awards announced early – mid March 2026

REVIEW CRITERIA

Criterion Maximum points

Grant recipients will be expected to have periodical check-ins to update the Fund on the progress of their project, as well as provide written and/or visual documentation. By the end of the grant cycle, we hope to have a compelling story to tell about your project.

Review Process:

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of community members.

Previously funded projects:

• 2024-25 grant recipients
• 2023-24 grant recipients

Seed Fund Grant Workshop
Wednesday, October 29 · 6:00 – 7:30pm
Time zone: Pacific
Google Meet joining info: https://meet.google.com/ybq-wstk-jzm

March 2026 :: announcing 2025-26 grant recipients ::
Congratulations to all recipients in this round!

Applications for 2024-25 Seed Fund grant are now closed. Recipients will be announced mid-March 2025.

About the Fund

Fund the Flow Arts is a US-based nonprofit established in 2011 to present and promote the Flow Arts. Our mission is to:

• Advance the prop manipulation-based Flow Arts
• Foster local Flow Arts communities
• Cultivate the global community of Flow Arts practitioners.

The purpose of the Seed Fund is to support projects that will help fulfill this mission. We are offering tiered grant amounts. In your proposal, please provide the requested information for the tier to which you are applying.

Project Eligibility for the 2024-2025 Grant Cycle

• For the 2024-2025 grant cycle, we will be funding projects in the Teaching/Outreach and Flow Arts Education and Training Resource Development categories.
• Examples of eligible projects include after-school programs, workshop series, or the creation of resource material for educators, therapists, or other professions to incorporate flow arts into their work. Guides on fire safety, or best practices for working with people with disabilities, would also be examples of resources. These examples are not prescriptive nor exhaustive!
• Projects in the Events/Gatherings and Performance/Presentation categories will be funded in the 2025-2026 cycle.
• Projects that have the potential for wider reach beyond your personal community will be more competitive. Partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, businesses, or other community entities such as libraries, schools, park districts or merchants associations (just as examples) would be a plus.
• Exclusions: Product development is not eligible for funding, e.g., the creation of new flow props or start-up funds for a company to make flow props intended for retail sale.
• Projects that include Circus or Burlesque performance are eligible only if the Flow Arts are the central feature and the main point of the project.
• For this round, grants are available to recipients who can receive US funds only (US citizens, permanent residents/ authorized to work in the US.). We hope to be able to support international projects and applicants in future rounds.
  
  We will be distributing a total of $50,000.

Previously funded projects have included:

• Full Moon Jam Foundation for their Winter Workshop Flow Jam Series, a monthly series of free workshops and open jams.
• Being a Bridge for continued work bringing American Sign Language interpreters to flow festivals for accessibility and advocacy for Deaf/Disabled flow artists.
• The Flow Nexus for a mobile educational space comprised of a library of flow tools and decorative environment based out of the Emerald Village Observatory in San Diego.
• Photonix, a student-run organization at the University of Michigan, a performance group dedicated to showcasing the Flow Arts.

GRANT TIERS AND PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

For requests up to $1,000 :: click here to apply

1. Please describe your project. Let us know what the activity is, and how it will help fulfill the Fund’s mission and promote/support the Flow Arts community. Also specify when and where the project will take place.
2. What is your history with organizing this, or similar, projects? If working with children in grades K-12, please tell us about your history with working with school districts, incorporating required curricula, and working with kids.
   
3. Do you anticipate receiving funding from other sources? If yes, please let us know what they are.
4. Will the project involve partnerships with other individuals and organizations? If so, please list them and specify their roles in the project.
5. Will you be using a fiscal sponsor for this project? If so, please provide information about the sponsor and their history of similar or related work.
   
6. Please let us know what the received funds will be used for. (e.g., teacher stipends, sound system, props, etc.). The total should equal your request amount.
7. If full or partial funding from the Seed Fund is not received, will you be able to carry out the project anyway?

For requests between $1,001 – $5,000 :: click here to apply

1. Please describe your project. Let us know what the activity is, and how it will help fulfill the Fund’s mission and promote/support the Flow Arts community. Also specify when and where the project will take place.
2. What is your history with organizing this, or similar, projects? If working with children in grades K-12, please tell us about your history with working with school districts, incorporating required curricula, and working with kids.
3. Will the project involve partnerships with other individuals or organizations? If so, please list them and specify their roles in the project.
4. Will you be using a fiscal sponsor for this project? If so, please provide information about the sponsor and their history of any similar or related work.
5. Do you anticipate receiving funding from other sources?
6. Please let us know what you’d spend the funds on (total should equal your request amount).
   If full or partial funding from the Seed Fund is not received, will you be able to carry out the project anyway?

Example expense breakout for $5,000 request. Please note the items listed here are examples only, and not necessarily what your project will need.

__________________________________________

For requests between $5,001 – $10,000 :: click here to apply

1. Please describe your project. Let us know what the activity is, and how it will help fulfill the Fund’s mission and promote/support the Flow Arts community. Let us know when and where the project will take place.
2. What is your history with organizing this, or similar, projects? If working with children in grades K-12, please tell us about your history with working with school districts, incorporating required curricula, and working with kids.
3. Will the project involve partnerships with other individuals or organizations? If so, please list them and specify their roles in the project.
4. Please provide a timeline for the implementation of your project, including all deliverables.
5. Please describe your promotional/outreach strategy. If applying for a resource, please share the distribution plan for the resource you create.
6. Will you be using a fiscal sponsor for this project? If so, please provide information about the sponsor and their history of any similar or related work.
7. Please list your other sources of funding e.g., ticket sales, merchandise sales, individual contributions, grants from other sources. Please note that for this tier, other sources of funding are required.
8. Please let us know what you’d spend the funds on (total should equal your request amount). Please refer to example above for how to do this.
9. If full or partial funding from the Seed Fund is not received, will you be able to carry out the project anyway?
   

Example expense breakout for $12,000 request. Please note the items listed here are examples only, and not necessarily what your project will need.

  __________________________________________

Review Process:

 Applications will be reviewed by a panel of community members.

Application Period:

• October 1 – December 31, 2024
• Deadline: December 31, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
• Awards announced no later than March 17, 2025

REVIEW CRITERIA

Criterion Maximum points

Grant recipients will be expected to have periodical check-ins to update the Fund on the progress of their project, as well as provide written and/or visual documentation. By the end of the grant cycle, we hope to have a compelling story to tell about your project.