Theater League is a not-for-profit civic performing arts organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves with the thrill of live! theater.
THEATER LEAGUE INC is headquartered in Kansas City, MO. It reported $14,421,450 in annual grants and $15,242,722 in total assets in the latest 990 year on file, 2025. Its stated focus areas include performing arts, theater education, youth/students, and new play development. The foundation’s recent grantmaking is centered on theater organizations and related arts programming, with several large grants in 2025 to local recipients. Named examples include $12,214,750 to Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City Theater Fund, $124,200 to Unicorn Theatre, and $80,000 to Musical Theatre Heritage. Other substantial recent grants include $65,000 to The Coterie, $55,000 to Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, and $50,000 to Lyric Opera of Kansas City. The foundation does not fund individuals and is classified as a Regular Funder. Its active grant programs show support for Shakespeare-focused theatre companies and festivals, companies of color producing new works and classics, and arts education for students in Title 1 schools through Theater ROcKs. Grant descriptions in the recent list include support for cultural and educational programming, which aligns with its broader emphasis on theater access, arts education, and public cultural engagement.
Recent grantmaking spans classical theatre and Shakespeare productions, theatre education and youth access, and community cultural engagement. Notable grants include $12,214,750 to Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City Theater Fund, $124,200 to Unicorn Theatre, and $80,000 to Musical Theatre Heritage. Other grants include $65,000 to The Coterie, $55,000 to Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, and $50,000 to KC Repertory Theatre. Active programs also show support for companies of color producing new works and classics, plus student access to professional theater through Theater ROcKs. Several recent grants were described as support for cultural and educational programming.
THEATER LEAGUE INC is a regular funder with a national geographic scope, but its recent grants are concentrated in theater organizations and related cultural programming. Typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards range much higher, including one $12,214,750 grant in 2025. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its active programs do not accept unsolicited applications.
$8.7M
$7.3M
$1.8M
$9.8M
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 30% of grants go to recipients in MO.
MARK HOWARD EDELMAN
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Theater League.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 232 | $23.1M | 99.2% |
| 2 | Czech Republic | 2 | $20K |
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THEATER LEAGUE INC gives most often in Missouri, which accounts for 30% of grants to recipients in the headquarters state and is the top state by grant count. Recent grants also went to organizations in Kansas. At the country level, 98.7% of recipient grants were in the US and 1.4% were in EZ. The recent list is dominated by Kansas City, MO recipients, including Unicorn Theatre, The Coterie, KC Repertory Theatre, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
No. The active grant programs listed for THEATER LEAGUE INC show “Accepts unsolicited: False” for Shakespeare Support Program, THRIVE! Companies of Color, and Theater ROcKs (Reach Out to Kids).
THEATER LEAGUE INC funds performing arts, theater education, youth and student access, and new play development. Its programs also support Shakespeare productions, companies of color producing new works and classics, and arts education outreach for students in Title 1 schools.
Typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include larger awards, such as $12,214,750 to Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City Theater Fund and $124,200 to Unicorn Theatre.
THEATER LEAGUE INC has a national geographic scope. Missouri is the state where it gives most often, and 30% of grants are to recipients in its headquarters state of Missouri. Recent grants also appear in Kansas, and recipient country distribution includes the US and EZ.
Recent recipients include Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City Theater Fund, Unicorn Theatre, Musical Theatre Heritage, The Coterie, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, KC Repertory Theatre, KC Actors Theatre, Kansas City Young Audiences, KC Fring Festival, KC Symphony, Theatre for Young America, KC Melting Pot Theatre, Just Off Broadway Theatre, Folly Theater, and Kauffman Center for the Perf Arts.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish Comm Foundation of Greater Kansas City | Overland Park, KS | $7,977,132 | 2026 | distribution to perf arts groups in Kansas City |
| North Carolina Black Repertory Company | Winston Salem, NC | $100,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts | Kansas City, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | production and admin exp |
| Kauffman Center for the Perf Arts | Kansas City, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | administrative costs of perf arts center |
| Shakespeare Dallas | Dallas, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| East West Players | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Theatre J at Edlavitch JCC | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Magik Theatre | San Antonio, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Santa Cruz Shakespeare Co | Santa Cruz, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Illinois Shakespeare Festival | Normal, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| The Ensemble Theatre Houston | Houston, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Shakespeare at Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Theater at Monmouth | Monmouth, ME | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Commonwealth Shakespeare Co | Waltham, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Gamut Theatre Group | Harrisburg, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Oregon Children's Theatre | Portland, OR | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Quintessence Theatre Group | Philadelphia, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Karamu House | Cleveland, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | support theater productions |
| Black Ensemble Theater | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| American Theatre Guild | Kansas City, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | student ticket subsidy |
| KentuckyShakespeare | Louisville, KY | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Nashville Shakespeare Co | Nashville, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Arts Engagement Foundation of Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | promoting theater in KC |
| Bishop Arts Theatre Center | Dallas, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Shakespeare Theatre CO | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Adventure Theatre MTC | Glen Echo, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | support theatrical productions |
| Signature Theatre Co | Arlington, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Marin Shakespeare | San Rafael, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Chicago Children's Theatre | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Theater Communications Group | New York City, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | support companies of color |
| Southwest Shakespeare Co | Mesa, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Gala Hispanic Theatre | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| St Louis Black Repertory Co | St Louis, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| African American Shakespeare Company | San Francisco, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | " |
| Independent Shakespeare Co | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Arts Engagement Foundation of Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | publicize and support perf arts |
| Children's Theater of Madison | Madison, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Classical Theatre of Harlem | New York City, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Great River Shakespeare Festival | Winona, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Repertorio Espanol | New York City, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival | Center Valley, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Tennessee Shakespeare Company | Memphis, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company | San Francisco, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Rubicon Theatre Co | Ventura, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Heart of America Shakespeare Festival | Kansas City, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Atlanta Shakespeare Co | Atlanta, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | support theatrical productions |
| Honolulu Theatre for Youth | Honolulu, HI | $5,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Chesapeake Shakespeare Co | Baltimore, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Stage One Family Theatre | Louisville, KY | $5,000 | 2026 | " " |
| Wheelock Family Theater at Boston U | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | " " |
Jewish Comm Foundation of Greater Kansas City
$7,977,132distribution to perf arts groups in Kansas City
North Carolina Black Repertory Company
$100,000" "
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
$20,000production and admin exp
Kauffman Center for the Perf Arts
$20,000administrative costs of perf arts center
Shakespeare Dallas
$10,000" "
East West Players
$10,000" "
Theatre J at Edlavitch JCC
$10,000" "
Magik Theatre
$10,000" "
Santa Cruz Shakespeare Co
$10,000" "
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
$10,000" "
The Ensemble Theatre Houston
$10,000" "
Shakespeare at Notre Dame
$10,000" "
Theater at Monmouth
$10,000" "
Commonwealth Shakespeare Co
$10,000" "
Gamut Theatre Group
$10,000" "
Oregon Children's Theatre
$10,000" "
Quintessence Theatre Group
$10,000" "
Karamu House
$10,000support theater productions
Black Ensemble Theater
$10,000" "
American Theatre Guild
$10,000student ticket subsidy
KentuckyShakespeare
$10,000" "
Nashville Shakespeare Co
$10,000" "
Arts Engagement Foundation of Kansas City
$10,000promoting theater in KC
Bishop Arts Theatre Center
$10,000" "
Shakespeare Theatre CO
$10,000" "
Adventure Theatre MTC
$10,000support theatrical productions
Signature Theatre Co
$10,000" "
Marin Shakespeare
$10,000" "
Chicago Children's Theatre
$10,000" "
Theater Communications Group
$10,000support companies of color
Southwest Shakespeare Co
$10,000" "
Gala Hispanic Theatre
$10,000" "
St Louis Black Repertory Co
$10,000" "
African American Shakespeare Company
$10,000"
Independent Shakespeare Co
$10,000" "
Arts Engagement Foundation of Kansas City
$10,000publicize and support perf arts
Children's Theater of Madison
$10,000" "
Classical Theatre of Harlem
$10,000" "
Great River Shakespeare Festival
$10,000" "
Repertorio Espanol
$10,000" "
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
$10,000" "
Tennessee Shakespeare Company
$10,000" "
San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company
$10,000" "
Rubicon Theatre Co
$10,000" "
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
$10,000" "
Atlanta Shakespeare Co
$10,000support theatrical productions
Honolulu Theatre for Youth
$5,000" "
Chesapeake Shakespeare Co
$5,000" "
Stage One Family Theatre
$5,000" "
Wheelock Family Theater at Boston U
$5,000" "