Thank you for your interest in submitting an application to the S. Mark Taper Foundation. The Foundation conducts one grant cycle each year beginning with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process.

LOIs will be accepted through the online grants portal beginning 9:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on December 1, 2026. The LOI submission deadline is 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on February 2, 2027. Late submissions, incomplete LOIs, hard copies, or documents sent via email will NOT be considered eligible for review.


How to Submit a Letter of Inquiry

Step 1: Carefully review the following documents prior to beginning your LOI:

  • LOI Guidelines
  • Grant Process Timeline: overview of the annual grantmaking cycle
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • 2027 General Operating Support LOI
  • 2027 Program Support LOI
  • 2027 Capital Support LOI

    Step 2: Create an account or log in to an existing account by clicking the following link:

    S. Mark Taper Foundation Online Grants Portal

    Step 3: Submit a Letter of Inquiry through the online grants portal between 9:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on December 1, 2026 and 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on February 2, 2027.


    If you have questions, or experience any difficulty navigating the system, please email us at grants@smtfoundation.org or call (310) 476-5413.