Hi, I recently started a new For-Profit Theatre Group in Illinois.  We are from a small (super small) town and have been doing performances to get us established for about 2 years now.  However, we are finally official and are wanting to raise some funding outside of fundraisers and selling ads ect.  We do those as well, but now we are needing some more cash.  There is another theatre group about 3 towns over who, from my understanding, has a bad reputation but the head hancho of the group is a political figure in that town.  She was able to raise money from State and City.  I am going to attempt the City councils where I live, but I was wondering if anyone knew about certain grants from the state where the group resides?  ANY information on this would be sooooo helpful. :) 

hmm...im not sure.  I contacted the Secret. of State office but they told me to contact a local community college and ask for their business office and they would be able to give me any of the information that I might need.  I am just unsure on how to go about it.  I figured beginning of the year would probably be a good time to start on all of this as our production is in late July this year.