Best Music Grants for Nonprofits

Grants from Entergy Charitable Foundation help United States nonprofits advance music and arts programming, including support for visual arts, theater, dance, and music institutions. Organizations focused on music performance, education, or access may be eligible for funding to enrich community engagement and cultural participation.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Enterprise Holdings Foundation provides United States nonprofits with support for arts, including music, theater, and visual media. Organizations engaged in music programming may be eligible if they have active involvement from Enterprise Mobility team members or their spouses. Funding emphasizes community engagement and volunteer-supported initiatives.

Focused on music and arts, Karen Colina Wilson Foundation invites Michigan nonprofits to apply for grants supporting children, youth, and women. Organizations in Southern and Western Wayne County working on music education, performance, or development opportunities may be eligible. Typical awards range from $500 to $10,000 and often include matching grants.

With a mission to advance narrative and culture change, Pop Culture Collaborative provides U.S. nonprofits and organizations focused on social justice and pop culture with funding for long-term initiatives. Music nonprofits that use pop culture strategies to promote equity, inclusion, or narrative change may be eligible for support under this program.

Grants from Pop Culture Collaborative help United States organizations advance cultural organizing and narrative change, particularly for people of color, immigrants, refugees, and Muslims. Nonprofits with music-related initiatives that center these communities or intersect with social justice may be eligible for support, especially if their work reaches mass audiences or shapes public imagination.

With a mission to empower healthy, creative communities, Can'd Aid provides United States nonprofits and local organizations with support to launch or enhance public-facing recycling programs at events. Music-focused nonprofits hosting festivals or concerts may be eligible for grants to improve recycling efforts and engage their communities in sustainability.

With a mission to support youth music education, Classics for Kids provides United States nonprofits with matching grants for fine stringed instruments. Nonprofit organizations serving K-12 students in music programs, especially those focused on classical music, may be eligible to receive funding to purchase violins, violas, cellos, double basses, ukuleles, or guitars.

Grants from Guitar Center Music Foundation help U.S. music education nonprofits and public schools expand access to instruments and gear. Programs offering in-school, after-school, community, or music therapy instruction may be eligible for in-kind awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Applications are reviewed quarterly throughout the year.

Focused on social change through music, the Adolf Busch Award invites United States nonprofits to apply for annual grants recognizing organizations that use music to address social injustice and inequity. Music-focused nonprofits with a strong commitment to education, diversity, and community empowerment may be eligible for this $10,000 award supporting impactful musical initiatives.

United States music nonprofits can access funding through Family Caregiver Alliance for innovative projects supporting caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Programs using music or creative expression to engage and assist caregivers may be eligible for recognition and a $20,000 award in the Creative Expression category.

The Puffin Foundation's Annual Artist Grant Program, focused on odd years, supports individual artists and non-profit organizations in the genres of video/film and theater. Grants, typically around $1,750, aim to uplift marginalized voices in the arts. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with an SSN. The program excludes proposals in other disciplines and projects involving AI. This initiative prioritizes diverse artistic expression and aims to maximize funding impact for those with limited financial resources.

Hungry for Music

The Hungry for Music story began in 1992, when Founder and Director Jeff Campbell (in photo) organized a street musician concert to benefit the homeless. Within three years, he formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to expanding opportunities in music for children.

Since then, Hungry for Music has placed more than 27,000 instruments into the hands of aspiring musicians. Children whose trajectory has been altered by the uplifting and life-changing gift of music.

We've delivered everything from guitars and trombones to violins and xylophones to kids in 50 states and 35 countries.

We collect and redistribute more than 2,000 instruments annually and, in our 31-year journey, we've become a full-time force for good in the musical community.

Request an Instrument

Hungry for Music collects and distributes instruments including brass, woodwinds, strings, electric keyboards, drums and other percussion, as well as amps and accessories.

Who Hungry for Music Helps

• Music teachers at Title One schools who identify children who cannot participate because of lack of funding.
• Music directors at innovative after-school music programs.
• Social workers who have young clients who would benefit from music therapy.

We only accept requests from public school music teachers, administrators, after-school/summer music program directors, and social workers. 

In our history, we have supported music programs in 40 different countries through stateside sponsors (i.e. business, school, church). We do not accept requests directly from international programs.

Social Workers & School Counselors

Social workers and school counselors can submit a request application for a student if they have access to instruction through a music program. 

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials.

IBMA  Foundation Project Grants

The IBMA Foundation awards project grants each year, usually in amounts between $1,000 and $2,500. The deadline to apply is December 2, 2024. Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission in one of the following areas

• Arts & culture
• Education
• Literary or academic programs
• History preservation

U.S. music and arts nonprofits can access funding through Arts Midwest to host NEA Big Read community reading programs. While the primary focus is literature, organizations with music-related programming that foster community engagement and cross-sector collaboration may be eligible to apply. Grants support creative events, performances, and public discussions.

The Mockingbird Foundation offers competitive grants for music education for children. Focused on underserved communities, the foundation supports innovative projects that engage children directly through music. Grants are only available for nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, including public schools, in the U.S. The aim is to enhance creative expression and provide music education in unconventional settings. Applications must demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in their programs.

Focused on community music festivals, Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation invites U.S. nonprofits to apply for support of free outdoor music events. Grants of up to $5,000 help organizations activate public spaces and bring live music to diverse audiences. Nonprofits seeking to enhance music access may benefit from this opportunity.

Grants from D'Addario Foundation help United States nonprofit organizations expand access to music education for underserved communities. Funding supports robust, free or affordable instruction in instruments, voice, and sound engineering. Nonprofits focused on making music accessible through education and outreach may be eligible for these 1- or 2-year grants.

Grants from Namm Foundation help U.S. nonprofit organizations expand access to music programs and career mobility in the music industry. Eligible 501(c)(3) groups dedicated to participatory music making or supporting underrepresented communities may apply for general operating support. Nonprofits focused on music education and outreach may benefit from this opportunity.

Focused on visual arts, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture invites artists and organizations from the Arab region to apply for funding supporting painting, sculpture, photography, installations, and multimedia projects. Music nonprofits in the region with relevant artistic initiatives may be eligible for support through this grant program.

Namm Foundation provides U.S. music nonprofits with funding to advance participatory music making and career mobility. Grants support organizations that eliminate barriers for underrepresented groups through hands-on music programs or workforce development. Nonprofits focused on music education, performance, or industry access may benefit from this opportunity.

Hungry for Music

The Hungry for Music story began in 1992, when Founder and Director Jeff Campbell (in photo) organized a street musician concert to benefit the homeless. Within three years, he formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to expanding opportunities in music for children.

Since then, Hungry for Music has placed more than 27,000 instruments into the hands of aspiring musicians. Children whose trajectory has been altered by the uplifting and life-changing gift of music.

We've delivered everything from guitars and trombones to violins and xylophones to kids in 50 states and 35 countries.

We collect and redistribute more than 2,000 instruments annually and, in our 31-year journey, we've become a full-time force for good in the musical community.

Request an Instrument

Hungry for Music collects and distributes instruments including brass, woodwinds, strings, electric keyboards, drums and other percussion, as well as amps and accessories.

Who Hungry for Music Helps

• Music teachers at Title One schools who identify children who cannot participate because of lack of funding.
• Music directors at innovative after-school music programs.
• Social workers who have young clients who would benefit from music therapy.

We only accept requests from public school music teachers, administrators, after-school/summer music program directors, and social workers. 

In our history, we have supported music programs in 40 different countries through stateside sponsors (i.e. business, school, church). We do not accept requests directly from international programs.

After-School & Summer Programs

Hungry for Music supports more than three dozen after-school/summer music programs annually across the United States. To be added to our distribution, a site visit is required.

Focused on music and artist development, South Arts, Inc. invites U.S. jazz artists and artist-led nonprofits to apply for creative residencies that foster artistic growth and community engagement. Nonprofit organizations involved in music programming may be eligible to partner with artists for residencies that enhance jazz performance and outreach across the country.

Hydro Flask's Parks for All Grants offer product donations to U.S. non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to enhancing public green spaces and recreational areas. Since its founding in 2009, Hydro Flask has supported initiatives that promote inclusivity and active lifestyles. Organizations can apply for donations in specified quantities, with applications reviewed in January and notifications sent in February. This initiative aims to foster healthier and happier communities through improved access to parks.

The OpenAI A People-First AI Fund supports U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on AI literacy, community innovation, and economic opportunity. It aims to enhance public understanding of AI, promote participatory design in AI applications by communities, and expand access to meaningful work through inclusive practices. Organizations at all stages of AI adoption are encouraged to apply, especially those addressing the needs of traditionally marginalized populations. This initiative emphasizes equitable distribution of AI benefits.

First Peoples Fund provides U.S. Native performing artists and Native-led organizations with funding to produce live music, theater, and dance performances. This grant supports projects featuring multiple Native performers, including concerts and music festivals. Nonprofits focused on music within Native communities may be eligible for this $30,000 opportunity.

Grants from Puffin Foundation Ltd help U.S. music nonprofits and individual artists create innovative projects in fine arts, music, and photography. Music organizations with limited budgets may be eligible for support, especially those often excluded from mainstream opportunities. Funding is available for projects in music, fine art, or photography genres.