Add Your Organization to our Coalition Letters
Calling all organizations, associations, corporations, and alliances! The arts power California — chronic underinvestment puts it at risk. This is a make-or-break moment. Given the budget context, we need to demonstrate that there is overwhelming support for increased investment for the California Arts Council and ongoing investment in the PAEPF from communities across the state. Click the button to add your organization to Coalition Letters for two state budget requests.
Join our Coalition LetterThis is the moment to take action for $40M for the PAEPF.
The PAEPF is a smart, targeted investment to strengthen California's small nonprofit performing arts organizations (budgets under $2 million) by helping them meet payroll. This sustains employment for artists and staff, directly supporting working artists, small nonprofits, and their communities. With over $40 million in funding requests submitted within the first ten days of the program's opening, the initial one-time allocation of $11.6 million has been fully exhausted. In collaboration with Actor’s Equity, a grassroots coalition and Legislative champions Assemblymember Matt Haney and Senator Susan Rubio, budget requests have been submitted to continue funding to this vital program with $40 million.
Thank You Lawmakers
Thank you to everyone who sent letters to their representatives. Because of your support and quick action, these lawmakers signed on to the $40M Budget Request Letter for the PAEPF.
Senate
Susan Rubio - Champion
Ben Allen
Maria Elena Durazo
Lena Gonzalez
Sasha Renee Perez
Assembly
Matt Haney - Champion
Josh Lowenthal
Buffy Wicks
Catherine Stefani
Rick Chavez Zbur
Tri Ta
Ash Kalra
Issac Bryan
Campaign Background
The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF) was established by SB1116 (Portantino) to bolster small nonprofit performing arts organizations—including theaters, orchestras, dance companies, and other live performance groups with annual budgets under $2 million—by assisting with payroll obligations and ensuring sustained employment for artists and staff.
The program's inaugural funding round distributed $11,621,892 in grants to 100 small nonprofit performing arts organizations statewide. These grants were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis from a total of 413 applications, which collectively requested $40,789,646 in funding.
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
Press Release
On May 14, the Governor issued the “May revise” to the CA 25-26 budget. This revision included reverting $11.5 million allocated to the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF) back to the General Fund and cancelling the program.
Read the Press Release