Community Foundation of Broward Awards 27 WLW Catalyst Grants to Boost Local Arts and Culture

The Community Foundation of Broward has announced the recipients of the WLW Catalyst Grants, awarding 27 local arts and cultural organizations with funding of up to $200,000 each over two years. These grants, made possible by Wayne and Lucretia Weiner’s Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation, will support new concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions, youth programs, and other initiatives aimed at strengthening Broward County's cultural landscape.

The WLW Catalyst Grants create transformative impact by enabling arts organizations to strengthen existing programs, implement bold new initiatives, increase community reach, and enhance organizational capabilities. More than 100 local nonprofits submitted letters of intent for consideration, with the final 27 recipients selected this summer with support from the Community Foundation's expert team. The grants represent a significant investment in Broward's cultural ecosystem, with total potential funding reaching $5.4 million over the two-year period.

Notable projects funded by the grants include the Stranahan House's plan to create a realistic virtual version of the historic attraction within the Metaverse, expanding online accessibility and educational opportunities. The Slow Burn Theatre Company will use its grant to bolster costume and set production, launch a costume and prop rental service to generate sustainable income, and incorporate a training program focused on technical theatre and backstage trades that leads to new careers. Mad Arts will expand its hands-on art and technology training program for students and young adults in underserved communities while providing more support for emerging South Florida artists.

Wayne and Lucretia Weiner expressed gratitude for the Community Foundation's role in introducing them to organizations they were previously unfamiliar with, stating they were delighted to discover new opportunities to enliven the community and enable more people to experience art and culture in Broward. The WLW Catalyst Grants are an extension of the Community Foundation's longtime commitment to art and culture, one of its six leadership and grantmaking focus areas. In 2024 alone, the Foundation provided nearly $4 million in grants for art and culture in Broward through partnerships with philanthropists who create charitable funds to support the arts.

Community Foundation of Broward President/CEO Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., emphasized that supporting and championing art and culture is vital to the growth of a vibrant and thriving community. The Foundation shepherds more than 590 charitable funds and has provided $215 million in support over more than 40 years across various focus areas including student achievement, career readiness, seniors in need, HIV/AIDS prevention, equity and social justice, environmental resilience, and nonprofit empowerment. For more information about the Community Foundation of Broward, please visit https://www.cfbroward.org/.