Overview
The David Lee Foundation seeks to incentivize Los Angeles professional theaters to take bold steps and push limits, not just artistically but financially. We cannot cure the lethargy currently rampant in the local theater scene by being timid. In the past few years, we have given almost $3 million dollars in grants to many theaters. Going forward we will be giving FEWER but LARGER individual grants. If you as an artistic director have ever thought “Gee, I would love to do a production of (X) but it is simply beyond our means,” we would like to hear from you.
If your title is a classic older work or a neglected one, you will move to front of the line.
Grants for general operating expenses will no longer be considered.
Established 501(c)(3) professional theaters/companies in Los Angeles County may apply for one production per grant cycle.
- Only productions operating under Actors’ Equity Contract Agreements will be considered.
- Booking houses or productions produced elsewhere will not be considered, nor will non-professional (community) theaters.
- Workshops, rehearsals, transfers, remounting of previous stagings, and touring productions are not eligible.
- Grants are awarded to assist individual productions, not to fully fund them.
- Special consideration will be given to those who hire primarily local actors and creative teams.
To be eligible and considered for funding opportunities, please complete this application no later than 5pm (PST) on October 1, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Erin Limlingan
Director, Philanthropic Impact
California Community Foundation
Email: elimlingan [@] calfund [.] org
There are two grant cycles:
Submissions must be made by May 1st for productions whose opening is the following September 1st or later.
Submissions must be made by October 1st for productions whose opening is the following January 1st or later.
Examples of previous grants:
- A mid-sized theater wanted to produce KING CHARLES III but could not afford the large cast. The DFL provided funds for 10 additional actors’ contracts and expenses. The production would not have taken place otherwise.
- A director for a small theater had a fresh take on A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE but because of recent changes to the 99-seat theater plan, they could only afford 4 actors rather than the 9 required. The DLF provided the funds to pay for 5 actors. The production would not have taken place otherwise.
- A small theater wanted to produce a revival of LE LIASONS DANGEREUSES but found the cost of wigs and costumes prohibitive. The DLF provided a grant for those and the production went ahead.
David regularly directs and writes for major regional theaters, including the L.A. Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, Two River Theater Company, Papermill Playhouse, Williamstown Theater Festival, Encores, Reprise and the Hollywood Bowl. A nine-time Emmy Award winning director, writer and producer for television, David was co-creator/director of “Wings” and “Frasier”, a writer and producer for “Cheers” and a director for “Everybody Loves Raymond.” 19 Emmy nominations, Directors Guild Award, Golden Globe, Producers Guild Award, Ovation Award, British Comedy Award, Television Critics Association Award (three times), the Humanitas Prize (twice) and the Peabody.
