Philanthropy
“Why funding the next generation of theater makers creates more impact than naming rights on Broadway buildings.”
Sue Gilad
Notes from the Wings
Stories from the stage, the editing desk, and everywhere in between.
Essays from Sue Gilad on producing Broadway, editing books, speaking to leaders, and the work of giving back.
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Philanthropy
“Shift your focus from naming rights to human potential by prioritizing scholarships and direct artist grants in your arts giving.”
Sue Gilad
Philanthropy
“Closing the opportunity gap for stage managers and technicians through targeted theater philanthropy and strategic scholarship design.”
Sue Gilad
Philanthropy
Effective Theater Philanthropy Strategies
Discover how to move beyond capital campaigns to fund the next generation of theater makers. Learn the framework for human-centric giving that closes opportunity gaps.
October 1, 2026·8 min read
Philanthropy
Supporting Technical Theater Scholarships
True equity on Broadway requires supporting the backstage workforce. Learn how to structure technical theater scholarships that address financial barriers for stage managers and crew.
September 24, 2026·7 min read
Philanthropy
Philanthropy That Moves the Needle: Funding People Over Buildings
Impactful arts philanthropy focuses on removing financial barriers for individuals rather than funding physical structures. By prioritizing scholarships and artist grants, donors can foster a more equitable and sustainable theater industry.
September 13, 2026·8 min read
Philanthropy
Establishing a Theater Scholarship Fund: A Donor Guide
Transitioning from individual donations to establishing a theater scholarship fund requires moving from reactive giving to a structured, sustainable model for arts equity.
September 6, 2026·8 min read
Philanthropy
Funding Performing Arts Scholarships: A Donor’s Guide
Traditional arts funding often prioritizes brick-and-mortar legacy over the immediate needs of the artist. Learn how to structure scholarships that fund people, not buildings.
August 20, 2026·8 min read
Philanthropy
Equitable Theater Scholarship Funding: Beyond Tuition
True equity in theater education requires more than just paying for classes. We must address the 'hidden costs'—rent, meals, and materials—that keep talented artists from low-income backgrounds out of the room.
August 9, 2026·7 min read
Philanthropy
Closing the Gap: Mid-Career Artist Grants and Scholarships
Focusing on mid-career artist grants and scholarships prevents the systemic 'talent drain' that occurs when established professionals can no longer afford to stay in the industry.
July 29, 2026·8 min read
Philanthropy
Holistic Arts Scholarship Models: Funding Hidden Costs
A scholarship that only covers tuition often leaves the most talented students behind. We must evolve our giving to include the hidden costs of an arts education.
July 27, 2026·7 min read
Philanthropy
Establishing Individual Arts Scholarships in Theater
Establishing individual arts scholarships requires moving beyond one-off checks toward a structured legal framework that identifies and supports emerging theatrical talent with precision.
July 27, 2026·9 min read
Philanthropy
Impact-First Arts Giving: Funding Students Over Buildings
Impact-first arts giving is a philanthropic strategy that prioritizes the direct financial support of individual artists and students over the construction or endowment of physical facilities. By funding scholarships and living stipends, donors remove the economic barriers that prevent first-generation theater students from entering the industry.
July 16, 2026·7 min read
Philanthropy
Stop Funding Bricks: Human-Centered Arts Giving
I prefer to put my name on a student's future rather than a theater's lobby. Discover why moving away from naming rights allows for a more vibrant, equitable Broadway ecosystem.
July 11, 2026·8 min read
Philanthropy
Strategy for Creating a Theater Scholarship Program
Learn how to structure a theater scholarship that prioritizes human potential over infrastructure, focusing on high-impact disciplines like stage management and technical design.
July 10, 2026·7 min read
Philanthropy
People Over Plaques: Why My Philanthropy Targets Human Potential
In theater philanthropy, the temptation is to put a name on a wall. I've chosen a different path: investing in the people who will eventually inhabit those rooms.
June 30, 2026·5 min read
Philanthropy
What Makes a Scholarship Worth Applying For
Why I started two scholarships with very different rules, and what I wish more students knew before they apply.
June 1, 2026·5 min read