Dance Foundation of Maryland
(501c3 organization)
About Our Foundation
Vision Statement
A community where every young person has access to exceptional dance education that builds character, fosters artistic excellence, and nurtures the next generation of dancers and advocates.
Mission Statement
The Dance Foundation of Maryland empowers young people through comprehensive dance education by removing financial barriers, providing scholarships and performance opportunities, and supporting community outreach programs. In partnership with Morton Street Dance Center, we foster character development, artistic growth, and positive life choices while maintaining performance standards that rival major metropolitan centers. We create pathways for dancers ages 8-18 to develop their talents, build self-esteem, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Our Core Values
Accessibility & Equity
We believe every child deserves access to quality dance education regardless of their family's financial circumstances. We actively remove barriers through scholarships, subsidies, and community support.
Excellence
We maintain rigorous standards of dance instruction and performance quality that rival major metropolitan centers, ensuring our students receive world-class training and opportunities.
Character Development
We use dance as a vehicle to build confidence, poise, self-esteem, and positive life choices, recognizing that artistic training shapes the whole person.
Community Partnership
We strengthen our community through outreach performances, collaborative relationships, and volunteer engagement that connects families and supports local events.
Youth Empowerment
We provide leadership opportunities, performance experiences, and artistic growth that help young people discover their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
Artistic Integrity
We honor diverse dance traditions while fostering creative expression and supporting both emerging and established artists in our collaborative community.
Gallery
Contact Us
Interested in Submitting an application for a scholarship? The Application window is open July 1st and closes August 1st. The deadline has been extended to August 10, 2025. If interested, please email the Foundation at dancefoundationmd@gmail.com for an application.
Here are some relevant factors related to the DFM scholarship program:
· DFM has a small scholarship fund available for partial student support.
· The criteria for eligibility are specially designed to assist serious dance students who have a substantial need for financial support and demonstrated technical ability.
· Applicants must be at least eight (8) years of age with at least two years of dance training.
· The number and style of classes that a student applicant takes in the coming year may influence the award.
· In addition to the application itself, applicant families are, minimally, required to submit financial data (as specified in the application) that support a need-based application, a letter of support from a dance instructor (sent directly to DFM), and a personal statement.
· In order to be considered, an application must be complete including all of the requisite components and any additional information he DFM may require.
· The submission of an application is not a guarantee that a scholarship will be awarded. All awards are within the sole discretion of the DFM.
· Any application that is discovered to have false or misleading information may result in the revocation of any scholarship funds awarded. Similarly, an award may be reduced or re-claimed, if the number or style of dance classes reflected in the application in the scholarship year change.