Arts and culture are essential to a just society

As a social impact organization, NEFA builds, sustains, and fights for arts and culture through grantmaking, partnerships, and advocacy in New England, the nation, and beyond.

Our Vision and Values
Repeating image of a Black woman playing the standing bass with a microphone in front of her.

Unveiling NEFA's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan

A Mission Forged in Collaboration is a landmark framework that reaffirms NEFA’s identity as a social impact organization and sets forth a bold agenda for the future of the cultural sector. The plan arrives as NEFA prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, offering both a moment of reflection and a call to action for the decades ahead.

Full Story about Unveiling NEFA's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan

Grantmaking for art making. What will you create?

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Upcoming Grant Application Deadlines

NEFA offers grants to artists and organizations to support the creation and presentation of work. 

Please note: NEFA will be closed December 22-January 2 for winter break.

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Crossroads: Touring New England

March 2
Supports tours by regional, national, and international artists to multiple organizations across New England

New England States Touring (NEST) Grant

April 1
Funds nonprofit organizations to present touring artists in venues across New England.
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What's happening

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In a spotlight, a man holds a clay puppet by a rod from the top and bottom of the puppet's body.
Theater

With NEFA Support: Sandglass Theater

NEFA is proud to work with grantees like Sandglass Theater in Putney, VT. Mackenzie Doss, Managing Director of Sandglass, shares how NEFA’s support has impacted their work: “I think the biggest issues facing the arts right now are the same as those felt by people across all sectors and walks of life
A white floor with bare feet and brass ankle bells. A pink glow behind the dancer.
Dance

Announcing the 2025 New England Dance Fund Recipients

(Boston, MA) The New England Foundation for the Arts awarded $50,000 through the New England Dance Fund to 50 recipients representing all six New England states. The New England Dance Fund (NEDF) awards $1,000 directly to choreographers who identify and articulate an important opportunity that will
On a stage, and before a silhoutted audience, three folks, wearing bright colors, move their bodies and hit drums. A woman's hair is caught mid motion.

NEFA Receives Historic Philanthropic Gift

(Boston, MA) The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) is honored to receive a transformative gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This $17 million contribution represents the largest single gift in NEFA’s history. We accept this gift in the spirit in which it was given—as an investment in
"Mission Critical" under a graphic of a microphone.

Harold Steward on MassNonprofit News' "Mission Critical" Podcast

The goal of MassNonprofit News' "Mission Critical" is to provide a platform to discuss the missions, perspectives and strategies of executives at nonprofits in Massachusetts. The conversations often turn to how they're coping in a challenging era of federal spending cutbacks. The program is hosted
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Fostering regional, national, and international connections

CreativeGround

CreativeGround spotlights the creative people and places at work in New England: cultural nonprofits like libraries and theaters, creative businesses like recording studios and design agencies, and artists of all disciplines such as performing arts, visual arts, and crafts.

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Center Stage

Center Stage is among the most successful programs to bring contemporary international performing artists into direct contact with people across a wide range of U.S. communities, and to share these experiences globally.

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