Artists make the world a better place.Our missionis to make the world a better place for artists.
Steel City Arts Foundation (better known as Steel City AF) is a 501(c)3 dedicated to helping comedians pursue their art.
When Martin Hofstetter died in 2014, his son Steve created the Martin Foundation in his name. The goal was to help up-and-coming comedians come up a bit quicker. The foundation provided grants to comedians to help with rent, car payments, and other bills so they could quit their day jobs and concentrate on their art full time. When COVID destroyed every comedian’s ability to tour, the foundation changed the grant system – and was able to provide $1,000 grants to 30 comedians to help cover some of their expenses. In addition, the Social Distancing Social Club provided over $50,000 more in work for otherwise unemployed comedians. In 2021, Steel City AF was created to take that to a whole new level.
It is our goal to foster growth in local comedy and arts scenes.
Stand-up comedians can now apply for grants!
The Steel City Arts Foundation provides grants for comedians to cover health insurance, car payments, production, and everything in between.