Community Foundation of Broward Awards 27 WLW Catalyst Grants to Boost Local Arts and Culture
The Community Foundation of Broward has awarded 27 WLW Catalyst Grants totaling up to $5.4 million to local arts organizations, enabling transformative programs and expanding cultural access across the county.
The Community Foundation of Broward has announced 27 recipients of the WLW Catalyst Grants, a philanthropic initiative funded by Wayne and Lucretia Weiner's Donor-Advised Fund. These grants, providing up to $200,000 over two years to each organization, will support new concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions, youth programs, and other cultural initiatives throughout Broward County.
The WLW Catalyst Grants create transformative impact by enabling arts and cultural organizations to strengthen existing programs, implement bold new initiatives, increase community reach, and enhance organizational capabilities. More than 100 local nonprofits initially submitted letters of intent for consideration, with the final 27 recipients selected through a rigorous process supported by the Community Foundation's expert team.
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. The Slow Burn Theatre Company will use its funding to bolster costume and set production, launch a costume and prop rental service to generate sustainable income, and incorporate technical theatre training programs that lead 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 additional support for emerging South Florida artists.
Wayne and Lucretia Weiner expressed gratitude to the Community Foundation for introducing them to unfamiliar organizations, 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 represent an extension of the Community Foundation's longstanding 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.
Community Foundation of Broward President and CEO Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson emphasized that supporting art and culture is vital to community growth, noting that the WLW Catalyst Grants demonstrate how the Foundation partners with philanthropists to support charitable passions and transform the community. The Foundation shepherds more than 590 charitable funds and has provided $215 million in support over 40 years across various focus areas including student achievement, career readiness, environmental resilience, and social justice. For more information about the Community Foundation's work, visit https://www.cfbroward.org/.