WW Little Theatre awarded $482,000 for youth development programs

WALLA WALLA — On June 30, 2026, the Allen Family Philanthropies announced $5 million in new funding for ten organizations supporting creative youth development programs in Washington State.

The Little Theatre of Walla Walla was one of the funded programs, joining Hilltop Artists, Mi Chiantla, Schack Art Center, Spark Central, The Bridge Music Project, The Mockingbird Society, United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance, Whatcom Family YMCA, and Young Women Empowered. 

The Little Theatre of Walla Walla received over $482,000 to expand its theatre programs for rural youth in Walla Walla and Columbia counties, increasing access to creative youth development opportunities. 

The organization was one of 10 organizations statewide to receive funding from Allen Family Philanthropies as part of an effort to increase access to creative youth development programs in Washington state. The $5 million funding signifies the state’s largest single investment in community-led, out-of-school-time creative youth development programs for youth aged 13 to 26.

Creative Youth Development (CYD) is a structured approach to youth learning that combines hands-on artistic skill-building and life skill development. Program participants and alumni exhibit high rates of civic participation, self-expression, and youth leadership, with lasting benefits for individuals and the broader community.  

The Little Theatre of Walla Walla’s funded project will support youth-led ensemble theatre programs, including youth productions, musical theatre, and professional development to enhance youth artistry and leadership across Walla Walla and Columbia counties. 

The Allen Family Philanthropies selected awardees through a request-for-proposals process, which was the foundation’s first RFP in arts & culture. Proposals were reviewed by an external panel of CYD experts, whose experience includes working directly with young people as teaching artists, running organizations that serve artists, youth, and communities, and leading research in the field.