Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund
The initial round of funding for the PAEPF has concluded and grant checks are being distributed. Advocacy efforts for additional funding to keep the program going are underway.
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Join our Coalition LetterWhat is the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund Program?
Senate Bill 1116 (Portantino) (Government Code 8757) established the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund Program to support small nonprofit performing arts organizations (SNPAOs) with adjusted gross revenue under $2 million, in hiring and retaining employees. The Fund reimburses a portion of their payroll costs on a quarterly basis, using a tiered reimbursement schedule where the smallest organizations receive the highest percentage of reimbursement.
To qualify the performing arts organization’s primary mission must be the creation of or presentation of performing arts, in productions that are advertised and open to the public.
Administered by CalOSBA and managed by CA for the Arts.
Example of SNPAOs can include:
- Nonprofit theater companies
- Nonprofit dance companies
- Nonprofit choral groups
- Nonprofit presenting organizations
- Nonprofit performance venues
- Local arts councils (that present or produce performances)
In addition to 501(c)3 nonprofit performing arts organizations Model C fiscally sponsored organizations are also eligible to apply, but they must be operating under a Model C agreement. Model C fiscal sponsorship is where the fiscally sponsored organization is a separate legal entity and for this program cannot be an individual artist.
Certain types of organizations are not eligible:
- After school programs for youth.
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organizations that raise money for a single arts organization.
- Conservatory programs.
- Foundations.
- Individual artists who are fiscally sponsored.
- Model A, Model B, Model D, Model F, or Model L fiscally sponsored organizations or projects.
- Social clubs.
- Summer camps.
- Youth educational programs or schools.
- Youth performing arts groups, including, but not limited to, youth symphonies, youth choirs, and youth theater groups.
If you have any questions, email PAEPF@caforthearts.org.
Key Program Statistics
Grant Award Distribution
Individual grant amounts ranged from $11,471 to $351,520. The funding was weighted to provide the highest percentage of reimbursement to the smallest organizations.
Grant Amount Range
- Under $100,000 = 46
- $100,000 - $199,999 = 41
- $200,000 - $299,999 = 11
- $300,000 - $399,999 = 2
Recipient Profile
The 100 awardees represent a diverse cross-section of the state's performing arts landscape, covering a wide array of disciplines from theater and dance to improv and opera. Their annual budgets ranged from $45,226 to $1.9 million.
Awardee Annual Gross Revenue (AGR)
- $500K and under = 46 (46%)
- $501K and $1 mil = 36 (36%)
- $1 and $1.5 mil = 11 (11%)
- Above $1.5 mil = 7 (7%)
Applicant Annual Gross Revenue (AGR)
- $500K and under = 253 (60%)
- $501K and $1 mil = 92 (2%)
- $1 and $1.5 mil = 44 (11%)
- Above $1.5 mil = 25 (6%)
Geographic and Demographic Reach
Applications were received from 38 Senate Districts and 66 Assembly districts. Grants were ultimately awarded across 29 Senate Districts and 42 Assembly Districts.
Demographics of 100 Grantees
Download the full list of grantees
Download our Frequently Asked Questions
We've collected the questions that we received during our informational webinars.
Recursos en español
Ya no aceptamos nuevas solicitudes
Fondo Equitativo para Nóminas de las Artes Escénicas (PAEPF, por sus siglas en inglés)
El proyecto de ley 1116 del Senado (Portantino) (Código Gubernamental 8757) creó el Fondo Equitativo para Nóminas de las Artes Escénicas (Programa) para ayudar a las pequeñas organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro dedicadas a las artes escénicas (SNPAO, por sus siglas en inglés), con ingresos brutos ajustados inferiores a 2 millones de dólares, a contratar y retener a sus empleados. El Fondo reembolsa trimestralmente una parte de sus costes de nómina, utilizando un calendario de reembolso escalonado en el que las organizaciones más pequeñas reciben el porcentaje más alto de reembolso.
¿Qué es el Programa del Fondo Equitativo para Nóminas de las Artes Escénicas?
El proyecto de ley 1116 del Senado (Portantino) (Código Gubernamental 8757) creó el Fondo Equitativo para Nóminas de las Artes Escénicas (Programa) para ayudar a las pequeñas organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro de las artes escénicas (SNPAO) con ingresos brutos ajustados* inferiores a 2 millones de dólares a contratar y retener a sus empleados. El Fondo reembolsa trimestralmente una parte de sus costes de nómina, utilizando un plan de reembolso escalonado en el que las organizaciones más pequeñas reciben el porcentaje más alto de reembolso.
*(excluyendo los fondos designados por los donantes para gastos de capital o fondos de transferencia)
Para poder optar a la subvención, la misión principal de la organización de artes escénicas debe ser la creación o presentación de artes escénicas, en producciones anunciadas y abiertas al público.
Algunos ejemplos de SNPAO (pequeñas organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro de las artes escénicas) pueden ser:
- Compañías de teatro sin ánimo de lucro
- Compañías de danza sin ánimo de lucro
- Grupos corales sin ánimo de lucro
- Organizaciones de presentaciones sin ánimo de lucro
- Salas de espectáculos sin ánimo de lucro
Consejos locales de las artes (que presentan o producen espectáculos)
Descarga nuestros recursos
Thank You to our Community Partners!
The program is administered by CalOSBA and managed by CA for the Arts. Questions can be directed to PAEPF@caforthearts.org. Follow CA for the Arts on social media, and subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any details.
Image Credit: "Fog Beast", Animate Dance Festival, April 2022. Photo by Jessica Swanson. Dancers' Group.