Philanthropy
“How high-net-worth individuals can structure direct-to-student scholarship models that eliminate institutional overhead and prioritize talent over facilities.”
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
“Why funding the 'total cost of attendance' is the only way to ensure true diversity in the next generation of Broadway artists.”
Sue Gilad
Philanthropy
“Why funding the 'middle' of a creative career is the most vital intervention a philanthropist can make to save the arts.”
Sue Gilad
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