Greetings, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation is pleased to announce today that we are launching a new theatre grant program in Washington state. A full press release is copied below. You can also view the application on our website here<http://billerfamilyfoundation.org/highlights/update/detail/55>. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. Kind regards, Jo Jo Vance Administrative & Communications Associate The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation Phone: 206.535.7543 | Fax: 206.535.7537 Two Union Square 601 Union Street, Suite 3030 Seattle, WA 98101 www.billerfamilyfoundation.org<http://www.billerfamilyfoundation.org/> [cid:image001.jpg@01D0F552.A77FFA50]<http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sheri-and-Les-Biller-Family-Foundation/122644051043>[cid:image002.jpg@01D0F552.A77FFA50]<http://www.twitter.com/BillerFamFdtn> [cid:image003.jpg@01D0F552.A77FFA50] Media Contact: Jo Vance joanna@billerfamilyfoundation.org<mailto:joanna@billerfamilyfoundation.org> 206-535-7543 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation Launches New Theatre Grant Program in Washington State SEATTLE (Sept. 22, 2015) - Driven by its mission to invest in bold ideas that inspire collective action in order to achieve powerful results, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation launches a new theatre grant opportunity today for nonprofit organizations in Washington state. Committed to funding theatre enrichment programs for more than a decade, the Foundation is now moving its focus to production-specific support of innovative shows that grapple with social issues and engage new audiences, with preference given to musical theatre. "We are evolving so that we can offer more opportunities for theatres to be agents of change on the critical issues of our time," noted Sheri Biller, Foundation President. "Our new grant program complements our existing commitments in Washington, such as the Rising Star Project at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Together, they achieve our vision of expanding access to inspiring productions and immersive educational experiences." With other social impact investments aimed at building solutions in public education and creating pathways to careers, the Biller Family Foundation has realigned its theatre enrichment efforts in order to further leverage this work. "There is a wealth of theatre excellence in Washington that positively benefits communities," said Colleen Oliver, Executive Director. "We look forward to partnering closely with a wide range of organizations each year to promote conversations and inspire solutions." The announcement of the new program initiates the competitive grant process, with applications due on October 23. Interested organizations can join the Foundation via @BillerFamFdtn<https://twitter.com/BillerFamFdtn> for an interactive Twitter Q&A on October 1 from 10-11:30 a.m. Grants will range in size from $20,000 to $50,000 and recipients will be announced in early December. Theatre organizations from Washington state with 501(c)(3) status and at least two years of operating history are eligible to apply. Funds can cover artistic, production, and overhead staff expenses for one production to occur between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2016. In early 2016, the Foundation will release an application for productions taking place in the second half of the year. Applications can be accessed at www.billerfamilyfoundation.org<http://www.billerfamilyfoundation.org>. ### About The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation fulfills its mission to invest in bold ideas that inspire collective action in order to achieve powerful results in the four focus areas of public education, theatre enrichment, career pathways, and supportive care. Grants are made primarily in Washington state and Los Angeles County. The Foundation was founded in 2001 by Sheri and Les Biller. For more information, please visit The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation's website at www.billerfamilyfoundation.org<http://www.billerfamilyfoundation.org>. Follow on Twitter @BillerFamFdtn<https://twitter.com/BillerFamFdtn> or on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sheri-and-Les-Biller-Family-Foundation/122644051043>.