Shaping The Future of Black Art

Black Art Futures Fund (BAFF) provides general operating support for small Black-led arts & culture nonprofits or fiscally sponsored projects with an operating budget of $500K or less.
Black Art Futures Fund recipients receive more than just a grant, but support from the entire Red Olive Universe through Olive’s Classroom, access to direct client services, and financial support from individual donors and small business donors who support the grant pool.
2021
$75,000 IN GRANTS
8 GRANTEES
2020
$132,000 IN GRANTS
33 GRANTEES
2019
$21,000 IN GRANTS
6 GRANTEES
2018
$15,000 IN GRANTS
4 GRANTEES
Grantee Testimonials

2020 grantee
The Black Rep
“The funds received from the Black Art Futures Fund are being used to support our Professional Internship Program. The Black Rep Professional Internship Program has trained more than 100 theatre professionals. Each year interns receive extended training and performing opportunities under the program. The goal of this program is to continue the mission that The Black Rep has upheld for the past 44 years; Entertain Diverse Audiences, Educate Promising Youth, and Enrich Our Community.”
2020 grantee
Black Revolutionary Theatre Workshop
“Black Revolutionary Theatre Workshop (BRTW) exists to disrupt any and all oppressive systems that marginalize Black people using narrative, performance, and theatre as a methodology to recenter Black people and experiences. With our limited resources, operating in the midst of 2020’s unique challenges threatened the future of our organization. BAFF 2020 grant funds support our regular programming. These funds were not only crucial to paying our community of artists and collaborators but also to creating the Line Producer position to manage production needs for our virtual public programming.”


2020 grantee
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts
“BTFA is a community-based arts organization that builds community and mobilizes resources to support Black trans femme artists (artists who were assigned male-at-birth and now identify somewhere underneath the femme umbrella). We organize programming that centers and highlights Black trans femme artists, executive produce projects led by Black trans femme artists, and provide direct to support to Black trans artists. We also host artist studio and co-working space for members for the Black trans community. With the support of Red Olive, BTFA was able to sponsor the production of a short film directed and produced by Black trans femme artists in New York City.”
2020 grantee
DANCE IQUAIL!
“DANCE IQUAIL! exists at the intersections of Blackness, dance, and social change. Our ambition is to rid our Black Philadelphian communities of the systematic social oppressions. As such, we are honored to be in a space with BAFF, an organization that lives the social change we seek in the world. There are a few examples I can give that best illustrate how their model of social change is the foundation of the operations. First, I was both deeply honored and surprised that as the financial woes of the COVID pandemic hit, not only did BAFF graciously offer additional funds to help our general operations, but they did so without requesting additional work from us as a grantee. Secondly, they offered ongoing workshops and personalized training furthering their investment into the grantees knowledge. These sessions were led by highly experienced experts who are selfless and generous with sharing the knowledge and resources for our betterment. Again, without making additional demands of us grantees. My favorite so far is the Alice Stryker’s idea of a “love note” to our donors once a month. Finally, and personally for me as a Black man artist and director, it had not been lost on me that Black women lead this organization and participate in this space. And that it was Black women artists, executives and directors who continue to be the first responders, continuously coming to my aid in ways that many other foundations and organizations aren’t able. For that I am grateful beyond my words.”
