Best Music Grants for Nonprofits in New York

New York 501(c)(3) presenters that regularly book touring artists can access funding through Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Jazz Touring Network to support jazz presentations and tours. Eligible nonprofits or government units in the mid-Atlantic region receive up to US $3,000 plus ongoing network membership, block-booking opportunities, and professional development to strengthen jazz programming.

New York music nonprofits and accredited charities can seek funding for innovative cultural projects, including contemporary arts and music initiatives. Roche supports humanitarian, educational, community, environmental, and arts and culture programs worldwide, so New York organizations with strong music components that promote sustainable development and community engagement may be eligible through local Roche affiliate offices.

New York nonprofit arts organizations sponsoring music or multidisciplinary artists can access funding to commission or support the creation of new work in New York. New York State Council on the Arts offers US $10,000 awards as artist or commissioning fees for projects including music, choreography, theater, film, literature, visual arts, and folk or traditional arts.

Nonprofit and school-based after-school or summer programs in New York that provide academic enrichment and youth development, including music and arts activities, can apply for the New York State Education Department’s Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants; awards range from US $50,000 - US $1,200,000 to establish or expand community learning centers engaging students and families.

Individual poets, writers, musicians, composers, and other artists creating music or literature-related projects can apply for $5,000 in creative fellowship funding from Harvard Public Library Trust, including New York-based creators. Focused on immersive use of the Woodberry Poetry Room collections, the fellowship also includes special library access and a one-week residency at the T. S. Eliot House.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) music organizations in New York seeking capital items for opera, symphony, or similar civic programs can apply for support from the T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation. With a mission to aid animal protection, land and wildlife conservation, agriculture, and civic arts, it offers up to US $50,000, prioritizing California-based groups but open nationwide.

New York cultural nonprofits offering arts or science programming for broad audiences can access funding through William Randolph Hearst Foundation for program, capital, and limited general or endowment support. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) institutions such as orchestras, opera companies, museums, theaters, and arts schools, especially those engaging youth or nurturing artistic talent, may be competitive for awards over US $100,000.

Nonprofit orchestras presenting live performances in the Watertown area of New York can receive up to US $25,000 to support concerts where the orchestra is the primary focus. With a mission to strengthen local arts, Northern New York Community Foundation provides music organizations with project funding for ensembles of at least 20 instrumental performers.

Music students preparing to teach piano, voice, or orchestral music in Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties can receive scholarship support through the Loene Pooler Guthrie Scholarship Fund. Focused on music education, Benton Community Foundation backs students graduating from or already graduated from local high schools, which may interest New York music organizations advising aspiring teachers.

Arts nonprofits and cultural organizations in New York can apply for Stantec’s Community Engagement Grant to support community projects, initiatives, or events in visual and performing arts, symphonies, museums, and art education. Eligible programs should be near Stantec office locations and reflect its values while strengthening local communities through arts and culture.

Music students pursuing orchestral string degrees can receive scholarship support through the Jim and Margie Fegley Orchestral String Scholarship Fund, including those from New York studying in the U.S. With a mission to support education and music, Berks County Community Foundation provides scholarships for committed students active in school or community music programs who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study music or involved in classical orchestra or music performance can receive scholarship support for higher education, including students from New York. Central Kentucky Community Foundation provides this music-focused scholarship, which may benefit youth pursuing advanced music education and orchestral performance studies.

New York music students pursuing accredited 2- or 4-year colleges can apply for the Highland Orchestra Scholarship to support full-time higher education costs. Awards of US $500 from Legacy Foundation are paid directly to schools or may be used for book reimbursement, which may benefit students involved in symphony or orchestra programs.

Individual singing actors ages 19–32 can receive US $750 - US $25,000 to support performances in the Lotte Lenya Competition, which highlights music, opera, and theater. Grants from Kurt Weill Foundation for Music help New York–based and international performers showcase fully staged, versatile lyric theater programs across multiple repertoire styles.

The Igor Gorin Memorial Award, established in 1993 by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, honors the legacy of Igor Gorin by supporting aspiring vocalists. With $382,000 awarded to 49 young talents, this fund provides unrestricted financial assistance for coaching, travel, and auditions. The 2026 award offers up to $12,000, aimed at those overcoming financial barriers to pursue operatic careers, ensuring that exceptional vocalists can thrive in their artistic journeys.

Professional U.S.-based jazz artists planning multi-stop public performance tours can receive up to US $15,000 to support travel, fees, and related expenses across rural and urban communities, including New York. Grants from South Arts help music and festival-focused artists bring jazz to new audiences in diverse venues nationwide.

New York high school seniors pursuing visual or performing arts degrees can receive US $1,000 - US $5,000 in non-renewable scholarship support through the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. NAACP members enrolling full-time at accredited U.S. colleges, including those focused on music and related fields, may be eligible.

The William F. Holmes / Frank D’Accone Dissertation Fellowship in Opera Studies, awarded by the American Musicological Society, supports dissertation research in opera studies for graduate students. Offering a stipend of $25,000, this fellowship is based on academic merit and aims to facilitate full-time study. Recipients may opt for a non-stipendiary award to allow more funding for others. Selection occurs in spring, with announcements made in summer.

The Small Grants That Enrich Communities Grant Program, supported by The Amcor Cares Foundation, aims to enhance community welfare through funding for various initiatives. Eligible organizations include 501c3 designated nonprofits and accredited educational institutions. The program supports youth sports, educational enrichment, and community events, while it does not accept applications from individuals or political organizations. Committed to community development, Amcor Cares has been actively contributing since 1959.

Small Bronx-based nonprofits and block, tenant, or resident associations can receive up to US $1,500 to pay artist fees for music and other arts activities at block parties and single-block festivals. Grants from Bronx Council on the Arts help New York community groups boost attendance with DJs, musicians, spoken word artists, dancers, and similar performers.

Opera Grants for Women Composers: Discovery Grants support the creation of new operas by women composers, promoting gender parity and diversity in the field. These grants assist composers in exploring opera as an art form, funding activities like libretto readings and workshops. OPERA America is committed to enhancing the operatic repertoire with diverse perspectives, and these grants are made possible through the support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study music- or science-related fields can receive US $1,500 for tuition, fees, and required equipment from the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County. While based in Indiana, students interested in higher education and music who find this listing from New York may be eligible if they meet all criteria.

About Levitt

The Levitt Family Foundation exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. We partner with communities to activate underused outdoor spaces, creating welcoming, inclusive destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life.

Festival Grants

The Levitt Foundation is offering grants of up to $5,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals in 2026. 

The Alice M. Ditson Fund offers organizational support for summer festivals and conferences focused on contemporary American classical music. This funding opportunity encourages the appreciation of works by younger, relatively unknown American composers. Eligible applicants include performing organizations and institutions that promote artistic excellence. The Fund emphasizes supporting living composers at various career stages, ensuring a broader recognition of their contributions to classical concert music. It is crucial for applicants to align their projects with the Fund's mission of enhancing public knowledge and appreciation.

The Alice M. Ditson Fund provides organizational support for professional performing ensembles and institutions committed to advancing the work of younger and relatively unknown living American composers. Grants are available for general operating or project support, emphasizing contemporary American classical concert music. Eligibility includes organizations without non-profit status if sponsored by a 501(c)(3) entity, while projects featuring American music are prioritized. This funding opportunity encourages innovative performances and fosters greater recognition of emerging talents in the classical music sphere.

New York opera singers affiliated with participating music schools or opera apprenticeship programs can receive career development support and project-based supplemental grants. Focused on opera, Shoshana Foundation invites young, emerging American singers nominated by institutions like Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, and major opera companies to access funding for early-career advancement.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist graduates of Conotton Valley or Carrollton High Schools planning to enroll, or currently enrolled, at an accredited college or university to pursue further education in the following fields: History, Writing (not limited to, English, Journalism, Language Arts, Communications and programs in Mass Media), Graphic Arts, Music (which shall include but not limited to, vocal music, instrumental music, music history, music education, and music performance) and any other program or field of study approved by the Selection Committee. 

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes