Learn about grants for music by exploring our curated list of top music funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.

Music Funding Trends

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) found that in 2017, 43.4% of U.S. adults, or 106.8 million people, attended at least one of 10 defined performing arts activities. The highest percentage of respondents attended an “outdoor performing arts festival” (24.2%), followed by “musical plays” (16.5%).

“Classical music” and “jazz music” were tied for the fifth most popular activity (8%), followed by “Latin, Spanish, or salsa music” (5.9%). Only 2.2% of respondents attended an “opera” event, making it the least popular activity on the NEA’s list. (The NEA did make a distinction between for-profit and nonprofit performances.)

Although it’s one of the least-popular areas of music, opera companies received roughly half of revenues from “private support.” The figure is slightly lower, at 43% for orchestras. Individual donors play an outsized role across the sector, while support from institutional and donor-advised funds exceeds that of dance and theater.

Music funders often report supporting nonprofit music fields like opera and classical music to preserve, enhance and promote them for the future.

Across the field, private and family foundations play an especially influential role in the world of music, with a focus on capital projects, programs and performances, generally providing relatively less direct support for individual artists. Corporate funders play a relatively small role, though often in the form of sponsorships. The music grantmaking sector enjoys a robust network of groups that provide funders and fundraisers with networking, advocacy and data gathering. Regrantors play a prominent role.

Foundations for Music Grants

3M FOUNDATION

The 3M Foundation funds a diversity of music organizations including jazz ensembles, orchestras, and symphonies.  

AEGON TRANSAMERICA FOUNDATION

The Aegon Transamerica Foundation tends to award music-related grants that support general operating costs rather than specific projects.

HERB ALPERT FOUNDATION

While the primary focus of grantmaking is jazz, the foundation also awards grants to support mid-career artists working within the music industry.

AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY

AAS funds fellowships that improve the American people’s understanding of pre-twentieth century history through music.

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

This funder makes music grants to women academics and musicologists, and supports women and girls through activism and empowerment.

AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL

Ameriprise Financial’s philanthropic giving focuses on opportunities to support and improve U.S. communities. Performing arts support aligns with the corporation's emphasis on “cultural enrichment.” 

LOUIS ARMSTRONG EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation supports music education programs, focusing on jazz education with broad impact. It also provided relief to musicians during the COVID-19 crisis.

AMON G. CARTER FOUNDATION

As with all of its funding interests, Carter does not have a clearly defined grantmaking program focused on arts and culture, but it does make grants in this space.

ASSOCIATION FOR PERFORMING ARTS PROFESSIONALS

The Association of Performing Arts Professionals supports individuals and organizations through its signature grant and professional development programs.

ASTRAEA LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE

Astraea funds grants for lesbians and queer women, trans and gender non-conforming people, intersex people, and people of color. The foundation also supports rights organizations that advance racial, economic, and gender-related justice.

AYRSHIRE FOUNDATION

Ayrshire's music grants are awarded through its Community Culture program.

FRANK AND LYDIA BERGEN FOUNDATION

This foundation focuses exclusively on music education programs. It prioritizes organizations located in New York and New Jersey, but it does not strictly limit its grantmaking to those two states.

BEST BUY FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the consumer electronics retail giant funds hands-on educational programs that build technology skills among teens age 13 to 18. It supports programs across the arts.

BLOSSOM FUND

Predominately in the Boston area, the Blossom Fund supports programs that promote “active participation in musical activities that foster community-based live musical performances.”

BLUES FOUNDATION

The Blues Foundation supports music and arts education around its home base of Memphis, Tennessee and throughout the world.

BMI FOUNDATION

BMI awards annual grants to nonprofit music organizations. Musical efforts supported include, “classical music groups specializing in contemporary works," and organizations working toward the preservation of American forms like jazz and blues.

BNSF RAILWAY FOUNDATION

BNSF largely funds local and regional orchestras and symphonies, but also supports organizations from across the United States.

BOGLIASCO FOUNDATION

The Bogliasco Foundation, near Genoa, provides short residencies to scholars and creative artists from all over the world.

BOHEMIAN FOUNDATION

The Bohemian Foundation has a comprehensive musical grant initiative, but mainly supports organizations within the Greater Fort Collins area in northern Colorado.

THE BROWN FOUNDATION

The Brown Foundation prioritizes supports both large and small arts organizations in Texas, but conducts some work across the United States.

ADOLF BUSCH AWARD

This recently established annual monetary prize backs individuals and organizations that use music to promote a more civil and just society. Named for a German-born musician who opposed the Nazi regime.

CINTAS FOUNDATION

The Cintas foundation prioritizes grantmaking for creative artists with Cuban citizenship or who have a Cuban parent or grandparent. Its funding areas include architecture and design, music composition, the visual arts, and writing.

CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA

Serves ensemble music professionals. Grants support composition and encourage connections between chamber musicians and presenting organizations.

COLBURN FOUNDATION

The Colburn Foundation supports the classical music community, mostly in the Los Angeles area and Greater Southern California.

AARON COPLAND FUND FOR MUSIC

The Aaron Copland Fund for Music supports contemporary American music. The fund has three grant programs including Performing Ensembles, Recording, and the Supplemental Program. Grant application deadlines are different for each program.

CMS FUND

The CMS Fund is a branch of the College Music Society, a consortium of musicians, conservators, and academics dedicated to promoting music research, education, creation, and outreach. It supports both students and educators, mostly for projects focused on instruction or community engagement.

CRANKSTART FOUNDATION

The Crankstart Foundation broadly supports music organizations across the United States. It has a history of supporting symphonies.

DELMAS FOUNDATION

Music grants are mainly limited to New York City organizations and focus on classical music and landmark venues.

DELUXE CORPORATION FOUNDATION

The Deluxe Corporation Foundation awards grants to music organizations in areas of the country in which it has an operational and employee presence.

DORIS DUKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Awarding grants to both singers and musicians, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is one of the largest arts grantmakers in the U.S. An important note—the foundation does have a deep and abiding love for jazz music, just like Ms. Duke herself.

DORSEY & WHITNEY FOUNDATION

This law firm funder supports arts organizations, including music programs, in the many areas where the firm has locations. It also has an open application process. 

MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION

The foundation was created upon the death of famed music publisher Max Dreyfus, who worked with American greats like George Gershwin and Cole Porter. It provides smaller grants that can make a big difference.

EARLY MUSIC AMERICA

Early Music America is an organization dedicated to the study, performance, and appreciation of early music. It provides access to awards and scholarships in order to increase awareness of and grow the audience for early forms of music.

ECOLAB FOUNDATION

Ecolab is committed to supporting the communities in which it has a corporate presence. Its foundation sees performing arts, including music, as an important component of its community involvement. 

EUCALYPTUS FOUNDATION

The Eucalyptus Foundation makes grants for K-12 educaiton, the arts, music, human rights and global security, most often in California.

FENDER PLAY FOUNDATION

The Fender Play Foundation supports music education programs nationally by providing resources and instruments for those in need and by advocating for the benefits of music education. Grants are awarded to schools, local music programs, and national music programs across the country.

FIDELITY FOUNDATION

This corporate foundation makes arts and culture, including music, a primary focus of its philanthropic pursuits. In line with its corporate ethos, it takes a rigorous business model approach to the projects it funds, even in this realm.

FIRSTENERGY FOUNDATION

If you’re operating in a community that receives FirstEnergy services (and it’s a healthy list), the FirstEnergy Foundation is an avid supporter of music organizations and programming.

FLORA FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder makes investments in arts and culture organizations throughout the U.S., and this includes music. But the foundation doesn't accept unsolicited requests for funding. Grant proposals are considered by invitation only.

FORD FOUNDATION

With more than $11 billion in assets, the Ford Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the United States. It prioritizes addressing inequality and fostering social change.

FOUNDATION FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS

The FCA, founded by Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg, is open-minded about the work it supports and so may be a good resource for artists some consider controversial.  

PHILIP AND IRENE TOLL GAGE FOUNDATION

The Philip and Irene Toll Gage Foundation’s music related grants tend to support formal organizations abroad rather than those based in the United States.

DAVID GEFFEN FOUNDATION

The David Geffen Foundation supports small and large music organizations across the United States.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION

Philanthropic arm of the large paper manufacturer makes music-related grants through its community enrichment program; unique in that all giving funds general operating support.

HORACE W. GOLDSMITH FOUNDATION

 The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation broadly supports both large and small music organizations across the United States.

GILDER FOUNDATION

The Gilder Foundation broadly supports music organizations across the United States and remains vague on music-related particulars.

JOHN SIMON GUGGENHEIM MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

One of the most prestigious awards in its field, the Guggenheim Fellowship is considered a mid-career award for those who are well established in their area of expertise.

THE YIP HARBURG FOUNDATION

The Yip Harburg Foundation makes grants to support social and political activism in music.

HEARST FOUNDATIONS

This funder's focus on culture includes a substantial commitment to music. Support emphasizes artist development and outreach into underserved communities. Only well-established arts organizations are eligible. 

CLARENCE E. HELLER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Heller foundation's music grantmaking go to symphonic and chamber music programs. Grants go nationwide but preference is given to California-based groups. 

MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS FOUNDATION

The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation makes grants to musical programs in schools. The foundation also donates musical instruments to schools in need. Mr. Holland’s Opus does not award grants for individual music lessons, events, concerts or festivals.

CHARLES EVANS HUGHES MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

The Charles Evans Hughes Memorial invests in music organizations across the United States.

JAPAN-UNITED STATES FRIENDSHIP COMMISSION

This funder is an independent federal government agency that supports music projects that highlight the cultural, educational, and intellectual exchange between the United States and Japan.

JAZZ EDUCATION NETWORK

The Jazz Education Network invests in jazz arts through education, performance promotion, and developing new audiences. It does this in part by providing scholarships and other forms of support for post-secondary students concentrating on this genre.

JUBILATION FOUNDATION

Jubilation funds individuals and organizations that help young people express themselves through music and dance.

KOVNER FOUNDATION

Founded in 1986, the Kovner Foundation is run by billionaire Bruce Kovner and his wife Suzie. The couple is passionate about music and has prioritized New York music institutions for years.

KNIGHT FOUNDATION

The Knight Foundation's grantmaking includes multiple genres including jazz, opera, global and symphonic. Knight does give special consideration to 26 cities in the United States, but it makes national grants, as well.

KRESGE FOUNDATION

The Kresge Foundation prioritizes funding organizations based in or that benefit the greater Detroit area. However, it makes grants beyond Michigan.

L4OA CHARITIES

Grants here focus on music education in K-12 schools.

LINDEMANN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Lindemann Charitable Foundation II.’s grantmaking includes support for opera institutions.

REVA AND DAVID LOGAN FOUNDATION

The Reva and David Logan Foundation awards music grants to organizations across the country; however, it prioritizes Chicago-area organizations in this grantmaking priority.  

MACY'S

Some of Macy's giving for arts, including music, happens through the foundation, but much more is funded directly by the corporation.

MAURER FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Maurer Family Foundation provides financial assistance to those organizations and institutions whose goal is to enrich their communities and the lives of their patrons through programs of cultural value.

ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION

A major funder for the performing arts. Offers multi-year grants to leading symphonies and orchestras in music, and to top dance and theater organizations. 

MICHELIN CORPORATE FOUNDATION

The Michelin Corporate Foundation supports a wide range of arts organizations around the world.

MID-AMERICA ARTS ALLIANCE

This funder makes grants to individual artists and arts organizations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Milken’s music grantmaking focuses narrowly on music of the “American Jewish experience.”

MUSIC DRIVES US

Music Drives Us grantmaking funds music education, preservation and awareness. The foundation likes to support education and awareness programs that focus on young children.

NAMM FOUNDATION

The NAMM Foundation makes grants to help promote and strengthen the music products industry. It hosts the popular trade convention, NAMM Show.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

NEA is an iconic and independent government organization that funds art projects that celebrate American musical excellence.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

NEH is an independent government organization that funds projects to promote research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.

NEW MUSIC USA

New Music USA supports composers, ensembles, live music for dance orchestras, and much more.

NORDSON FOUNDATION

The Nordson Foundation supports music performance and education institutions as part of its broader arts grantmaking in the regions where it has a corporate presence.

OPEN MEADOWS FOUNDATION

Open Meadows music grants support women and girls leading and benefitting from projects that address activism and social justice.

OPERA FOUNDATION

The Opera Foundation supports young American opera singers by sending them to study with select European opera companies. It supports four scholarships each year.

PAUL R. JUDY CENTER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH

Paul R. Judy Center for Applied Research funds innovative ensembles that explore new models of operation.

PEW CENTER FOR ARTS AND HERITAGE

The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage awards grants exclusively to organizations and individuals in the five-county Southeastern Pennsylvania region. It supports artists and organizations with ambitious, imaginative projects.

PRN ALUMNI FOUNDATION

The foundation gives readily to music education.

PRUDENTIAL FOUNDATION

The Prudential Foundation awards its music grants through its arts and civic infrastructure program.

PUFFIN FOUNDATION

The Puffin Foundation supports a wide range of musicians and musical works. It does not impose restrictions on its grants based on genre, musical form or style.

ROCHE

Roche awards grants to organizations that encourage interactions with contemporary music and art.

HOWARD AND SARAH D. SOLOMON FOUNDATION

The Howard and Sarah D. Solomon Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to the performing arts, particularly opera.

SPARKPLUG FOUNDATION

 The Sparkplug Foundation funds music development and projects that “launch new voices and ideas.”

SPREADMUSICNOW

SpreadMusicNow supports nonprofit organizations that expand access to music education, build awareness and support for music and arts education, and strengthen the nonprofit and music educations sectors.

SPRINT FOUNDATION

Sprint's music grants typically fund smaller organizations; however, it still supports organizations from across the United States. 

FLORA L. THORNTON FOUNDATION

The Flora L. Thornton Foundation typically funds music projects and organizations operating in large metropolitan areas across the United States.

UNION PACIFIC FOUNDATION

This funder emphasizes the arts and funding for music—particularly performance.

UNITED STATES ARTISTS

United States Artists gives unrestricted $50,000 grants directly to creative artists each year. Support for music is a significant part of this giving, but competition is stiff. 

U.S. BANCORP FOUNDATION

This is a significant grantor of music organizations, particularly performance groups, in 25 states. It gives grants through its arts and culture program, viewing this support as part of a larger context of community development and uplift. 

KURT WEILL FOUNDATION FOR MUSIC

Supports performance, scholarship and professional development related to the work and lives of Kurt Weill, Lotte Lenya and Marc Blitzstein.

WELLS FARGO FOUNDATION

The foundation gives grants in 44 states, and arts and culture are high on the grantmaking agenda, with a strong emphasis on music.

WESTERN STATES ARTS FEDERATION

Grants primarily fund presenting organizations, and those must be in the West. But the artists who perform can hail from anywhere in the country—and music is at the forefront.

HELENE WURLITZER FOUNDATION

The Wurlitzer Foundation does not award traditional grants. Its philanthropy consists of three-month residencies for visual artists, writers and musical composers.

Additional Resources

Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) is the national network of private, public and corporate arts funders focused on providing “leadership and service that advances the use of philanthropic and governmental resources to support the growth of the arts and culture.” 

Americans for the Arts, with a primary focus on advancing the arts broadly in the United States, is an important organization for the music community, producing white papers, research on fundraising trends and a repository of funding resources. 

SMU DataArts’ mission is “to empower arts and cultural leaders with high-quality data and evidence-based resources and insights that help them to overcome challenges and increase impact.” 

The Performing Arts Alliance is the national policy advocate, leadership forum, and learning network for America’s nonprofit performing arts organizations, artists and allies.