The Trust for Mutual Understanding (TMU) supports cross-cultural collaborations that advance contemporary arts, environmental stewardship, and projects at the intersection of arts and environment. Grants prioritize sustained, community-engaged partnerships led by professional artists, environmental practitioners, and Indigenous communities, with funding awarded to eligible U.S.-based nonprofit organizations.
Overview
The Trust for Mutual Understanding (TMU) is a private foundation that funds international, cross-cultural collaborations rooted in professional exchange, shared learning, and long-term relationship building.
TMU supports projects that strengthen contemporary arts practice, protect lands and waters, and explore integrated approaches where artistic expression and environmental stewardship intersect. The foundation emphasizes trust-based partnerships that are locally grounded, culturally responsive, and professionally led.
Core Focus Areas and Themes
TMU supports a wide range of collaborative activities across arts, environment, and combined arts–environment initiatives.
Contemporary Arts and Cultural Collaboration
Supported arts-related activities include:
- Contemporary dance, music, theater, and visual arts
- Creative artistic collaborations and exchanges
- Curatorial research and exhibition development
- Artist residencies and collaborative performances
- Performances linked with lectures, demonstrations, or workshops
- Language and cultural preservation initiatives
- Network-building and professional exchange activities
Environmental Stewardship and Resilience
Supported environmental initiatives focus on:
- Stewardship and resilience of lands and waters
- Protection of threatened land and seascapes
- Collaborative research and joint environmental actions
- Community-based conservation and resilience programs
- International networking among environmental professionals
Arts and Environment at the Intersection
TMU actively supports projects that integrate artistic and environmental practice, including:
- Collaborations between artists and environmental professionals
- Integrated approaches to creative expression and ecological knowledge
- Projects exploring environmental issues through artistic methods
- Initiatives where art is used as a tool for environmental engagement and awareness
Native and Indigenous-Led Collaborations
TMU places strong emphasis on collaborations led by Native and Indigenous peoples.
These projects may:
- Support Indigenous ways of knowing and being
- Integrate cultural expression with land and water stewardship
- Strengthen Indigenous-led networks and community resilience
- Advance cultural continuity through arts and environmental practice
What TMU Looks for in Funded Projects
TMU prioritizes projects that demonstrate depth, professionalism, and long-term potential.
Funded initiatives typically:
- Show clear professional accomplishment and expertise
- Engage local communities in meaningful ways
- Respond to relevant social, cultural, or environmental contexts
- Demonstrate potential for sustained collaboration beyond the grant period
- Build trust-based relationships rather than one-off exchanges
- Are closely tied to local cultures, knowledge systems, and communities
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
TMU has specific eligibility requirements related to organizational status and geographic scope.
Eligible Applicants
Grants are awarded to:
- American nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
- Tribal organizations with 7871 status
- Eligible fiscal sponsors acting on behalf of invited projects
Ineligible Applicants
TMU does not award grants directly to:
- Individuals
- Foreign institutions or organizations without a U.S.-based fiscal sponsor
International Participation
While grants are made only to eligible U.S.-based organizations, TMU welcomes initial inquiries from:
- Individuals or organizations in regions where TMU is active
- Countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and neighboring regions
- Projects that may later submit full proposals through a qualified fiscal sponsor, if invited
Types of Supported Activities
TMU funding may support a wide range of collaborative formats, including:
- Joint events, conferences, seminars, and workshops
- Grassroots convenings and community exchanges
- Collaborative research projects
- Residencies and exchange programs
- Exhibitions and public-facing cultural programs
- International professional networking initiatives
- Collaborative actions addressing environmental or cultural challenges
Why TMU Funding Matters
TMU funding is designed to support deep, reciprocal partnerships rather than short-term outputs.
The program matters because it:
- Strengthens international understanding through professional collaboration
- Supports cultural preservation and contemporary artistic innovation
- Advances environmental stewardship through shared knowledge and action
- Centers community engagement and local leadership
- Encourages long-term relationships that outlast individual grants
How to Apply
TMU uses a selective, invitation-based application process.
Application Process Overview
- Initial inquiries may be submitted by eligible U.S.-based organizations or international partners
- TMU reviews inquiries for alignment with its mission and focus areas
- Selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal
- Full proposals must be submitted by an eligible U.S. nonprofit or tribal organization, or through a fiscal sponsor
Important Notes for Applicants
- Submission of an inquiry does not guarantee an invitation to apply
- Projects must demonstrate readiness for cross-cultural collaboration
- Applicants should be prepared to implement sustained, professional partnerships
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposing short-term or one-off exchanges without long-term vision
- Submitting projects not rooted in local community engagement
- Applying as an individual without an eligible organizational sponsor
- Failing to clearly articulate the collaborative nature of the project
- Overlooking Indigenous leadership or local cultural context where relevant
Tips for a Strong TMU Proposal
- Emphasize the collaborative process, not just final outputs
- Demonstrate mutual benefit for all partners involved
- Highlight professional expertise and prior accomplishments
- Clearly explain community engagement strategies
- Show how the collaboration can continue beyond the grant period
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Trust for Mutual Understanding?
The Trust for Mutual Understanding is a private foundation that funds cross-cultural collaborations in contemporary arts, environmental stewardship, and integrated arts–environment initiatives.
Who can receive TMU grants?
TMU grants are awarded to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or tribal organizations with 7871 status.
Can individuals apply directly for TMU funding?
No. Individuals cannot receive grants directly, but they may submit initial inquiries and later apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor if invited.
Does TMU fund projects outside the United States?
Yes. TMU supports international collaborations, particularly in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and neighboring regions, but funds must be administered through a U.S.-based organization.
Are Indigenous-led projects eligible?
Yes. TMU strongly supports collaborations led by Native and Indigenous peoples that center Indigenous knowledge systems and community priorities.
What types of activities are not a good fit for TMU?
Projects that are purely commercial, lack community engagement, or do not involve sustained cross-cultural collaboration are generally not competitive.
Is TMU funding recurring?
TMU funding is project-based. While long-term relationships are encouraged, each grant requires a separate application and approval process.
Conclusion
The Trust for Mutual Understanding provides vital support for cross-cultural collaborations that connect contemporary arts, environmental stewardship, and community knowledge across borders.
By prioritizing sustained partnerships, Indigenous leadership, and locally rooted initiatives, TMU fosters meaningful international exchange that strengthens cultural understanding, environmental resilience, and professional networks worldwide.
For more information, visit Trust for Mutual Understanding.
