About Theater League
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.
Focus Areas
Performing artsTheater educationYouth/StudentsNew play development
Who They Fund
arts organizationsstudents (conservatory / performing-arts)artists and performerspublic audiences / community members attending cultural events
Funding Style
program/project supportscholarship fundingadministrative/operational supportpublicity / arts promotion
About Theater League
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.
What Theater League Funds
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.
How Theater League Gives
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.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$8.7M
Total Assets
$7.3M
Total Revenue
$1.8M
Total Expenses
$9.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$10K
Geographic Reach
National30 states funded
About 30% of grants go to recipients in MO.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
MARK HOWARD EDELMAN
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Theater League Funds
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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