The Orchard Project OPportunity Fund
The Orchard Project Opportunity Fund is a new initiative supporting groundbreaking projects as they move into production. Seeded with a major grant from the Venturous Theater Fund, the OPportunity Fund strengthens the pipeline from OP development programs to full realization—and makes that pathway available to artists across the field.
A key component of the OPportunity Fund is admin-fee–free fiscal sponsorship along with the kind of hands-on artistic and producing support that has always defined the OP.
What the Fund Offers
- Admin-fee–free fiscal sponsorship for production-bound projects
- Direct producing, fundraising, and administrative support, tailored to each project
- A shared learning cohort, with group sessions on fundraising strategy, budgeting, contracting, festival planning, and more
- Guidance on navigating venues, timelines, and next-step partners
- Recognition and billing for the Orchard Project OPportunity Fund on all supported productions
Each year, dozens of remarkable projects find early life in OP’s labs and residencies. But as anyone in the field knows, the step from “promising” to “ready for production” is often the most precarious. The OPportunity Fund exists to change that.
Who Should Apply
We are prioritizing projects that share the OP ethos: bold, form-pushing storytelling with the capacity to make an impact. Projects may originate from OP alumni or from entirely new artists—the fund is open to all. Work may be produced anywhere where a US nonprofit can legally support activity: Off-Broadway, regional theaters, Edinburgh, Seattle Fringe, festivals, independent venues…the field is wide.
Projects planned for commercial environments that fall outside nonprofit support—for instance, a West End commercial run—may not be eligible at this time.
A Deeper Dive into What the Fund will Provide
- Fee-free Fiscal Sponsorship No admin fee. No overhead skimming. 100% of funds raised go straight to your project.
- Hands-On Producing Support: Access to OP staff and systems for:
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Fundraising strategy & donor outreach
- Payroll processing & contracting
- Festival and touring logistics
- Union and legal guidance
- Production management support
- Marketing and audience development consultation
- Learning Cohort & Shared Community: OPportunity Fund artists are invited into a supportive group series focused on:
- Producing best practices
- Fundraising models & tools
- Venue and festival navigation
- Risk assessment & strategic planning
- Mutual aid & resource sharing across projects
- Visibility & Recognition: All supported projects agree to credit the Orchard Project OPportunity Fund in programs, playbills, and promotional materials—building collective visibility for this new pathway to production.
Two Ways to Collaborate with The OPportunity Fund
The Orchard Project OPportunity Fund supports artists and producers as their work moves into production. Because projects vary widely in scale, readiness, and support needs, the Fund offers two collaboration models: “Supported by the OPportunity Fund” and “Produced in Association with the OPportunity Fund.” Both options provide fee-free fiscal sponsorship through The Orchard Project. The difference is how integrated OP becomes in the producing and operational life of the project.
To learn more about the two versions of OPportunity Fund support, visit this page. Final structures are always confirmed together through conversation
Who Can Apply
The OPportunity Fund is open to:
- OP alumni and alumni-led projects
- Artists and makers new to the OP community
- Creators working in theater, hybrid, performance, and interdisciplinary storytelling
- Projects aiming for nonprofit-eligible productions in the US or abroad
(Edinburgh and most festival environments are eligible; West End commercial runs generally are not.)
Selection Priorities
We are particularly interested in projects that:
- Reflect the OP ethos of form innovation and boundary-pushing storytelling
- Have a clear path toward production
- Are at a moment where strategic support will materially change the project’s trajectory
- Will benefit from a relationship with OP’s producing and fundraising expertise
How to Apply
We see those participating in the OPportunity fund as collaborators, and applications to collaborate with the fund are now open and available here. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the goal of creating two cohorts of OPportunity fund collaborating projects each year (starting every six months). Our short form will ask for:
- A project description
- Development history
- Planned production context or timeline
- Support needed
- Team bios
- Why OP involvement would be transformative at this moment
Selected projects will be invited to join the 2026 OPportunity Fund Cohort.