Best Music Grants for Nonprofits in New Jersey

New Jersey 501(c)(3) presenters and eligible government units presenting touring artists can access funding through Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Jazz Touring Network to support jazz performances and tours. Organizations across the mid-Atlantic region join an ongoing network, receive up to US $3,000, collaborate on block-booking jazz tours, and gain professional development to strengthen jazz programming.

Company culture at Clark Associates emphasizes responsibility, sharing our success with others, and the importance of building strong communities. To help fulfill these goals, Clark Associates Charitable Foundation (CACF) was incorporated in 2001 and provides funding to organizations serving people in need and those delivering positive experiences for youth. CACF supports non-profits operating in and around its business locations and those where our employees volunteer and actively contribute. To date, CACF has distributed over $44 million in charitable contributions.

Organizations must be registered 501c3 charities serving three basic categories: people in need, innovative youth educational programs, and youth programs in music and the arts. People in need represents the largest giving category and includes homelessness, food insecurity, individuals with disabilities, victims of abuse, and people in recovery. Examples of other grant recipients include those assisting veterans, senior citizens, at-risk youth, academic enrichment, mentorship, leadership development, and those focused on the performing and visual arts.CACF evaluates grant applications submitted by non-profit organizations every month of the year.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) organizations with projects in music, arts, education, humanitarian support, or native animal protection can apply for the Knight Family Charitable Foundation’s grants. Funding may support programs that promote music and the arts, advance learning, or address social issues, offering opportunities for nonprofits with strong community-focused initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations in New Jersey that nurture young artists and musicians can use this grant to provide resources, mentorship, and creative opportunities. Grants from Community Foundation of New Jersey help music and arts nonprofits statewide cultivate the next generation of creative talent, with awards ranging from US $5,000 - US $25,000.

New Jersey music nonprofits and accredited charities can seek funding for innovative, high-quality projects that promote sustainable development and engage Roche employees in cultural and educational activities. La Roche supports music and other contemporary arts, humanitarian and social services, science education, and community and environmental initiatives through its global corporate donations and philanthropy program.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 170(c) organizations seeking capital items for opera, symphony, and similar civic programs in New Jersey and beyond can apply; awards are up to US $50,000. With a mission to support animal protection, land and wildlife conservation, agriculture, and civic arts, T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation prioritizes established, effective organizations, especially those based in California.

New Jersey music and performing arts nonprofits offering substantial cultural programming can access funding through William Randolph Hearst Foundation for culture-focused initiatives. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations with audited expenses over $2 million may seek program, capital, or limited general support, especially for arts education, artist development, and youth-engaging arts and science programs with measurable impact.

Music students pursuing orchestral string degrees who are residents of Berks County and studying in the U.S., including New Jersey, may be eligible for this scholarship supporting higher education in music. With a mission to help donors achieve charitable goals, Berks County Community Foundation provides academic scholarships for committed orchestral string performers.

Music students preparing to teach piano, voice, or orchestral music in Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties can receive scholarship support for their studies through the Loene Pooler Guthrie Scholarship Fund. Focused on music education, Benton Community Foundation backs students graduating from or already graduated from these county high schools and pursuing higher education in music.

New Jersey music students pursuing full-time study at accredited 2- or 4-year colleges can apply for the Highland Orchestra Scholarship to support higher education costs. Awards of US $500 from Legacy Foundation are paid directly to the school or may be used for book reimbursement, benefiting those involved in orchestra or related music programs.

New Jersey nonprofit music performance, presenting, and education organizations seeking capital funding for facilities, technology, or equipment can apply for Presser Foundation Capital Support Grants of US $5,000 - US $100,000. These grants support projects like new or renovated music spaces and audio, video, or recording upgrades for pre-collegiate and community-focused music programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) music performance, presenting, or education organizations in New Jersey can apply for Presser Foundation’s Advancement of Music grants, awarding US $2,500 - US $50,000 for general operating support. Eligible applicants must be within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia and work in traditions such as symphony, orchestra, chamber, or classical music.

Graduating high school seniors involved in classical orchestra, music performance, or planning to study music can receive scholarship support for higher education from Central Kentucky Community Foundation. Applicants must attend Hardin County Schools, Elizabethtown High School, or LaRue County High School, and this award may interest students pursuing advanced music studies or youth involvement in the arts.

Nonprofit arts organizations in New Jersey running community projects or events may be eligible for Stantec’s Community Engagement Grant, which supports visual and performing arts, symphonies, museums, and public media. Funding can assist short- or long-term initiatives or community events that strengthen local arts and culture near Stantec office locations.

Individual singing actors ages 19–32 working in music, opera, or theater can access funding through the Lotte Lenya Competition, a program of the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music. This international lyric theater competition offers prizes ranging from US $750 to US $25,000, which may benefit New Jersey-based performers and organizations supporting them.

New Jersey music and arts nonprofits, artist collectives, community groups, and public institutions can access funding for inclusive, high-quality arts and culture programming. The William Penn Foundation supports projects up to two years that expand equitable access to music and related disciplines, primarily in Philadelphia but also including Camden and nearby Pennsylvania counties, improving quality of life for local residents.

Professional U.S.-based jazz artists planning multi-stop tours can receive up to US $15,000 to support performances, travel, lodging, and related touring costs, including dates in New Jersey. Grants from South Arts help bring jazz into new and rural communities through public performances at venues such as clubs, festivals, colleges, community centers, and other spaces.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study music or science can receive US $1,500 for tuition, fees, and required equipment from the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County. Applicants must be from accredited Jefferson County, Indiana high schools; New Jersey music-focused nonprofits may share this opportunity with eligible students they serve.

New Jersey high school seniors pursuing visual or performing arts degrees can receive US $1,000 - US $5,000 to support undergraduate study through this scholarship. The National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People provides U.S. NAACP members with non-renewable awards, which may benefit students involved in music, media arts, dance, theater, or related fields.

Gifted young opera vocalists in the U.S. who are affiliated with select programs and auditions can receive up to US $12,000 in unrestricted support for coaching, travel, living, and audition costs through the Igor Gorin Memorial Award. New Jersey music and opera organizations may share this opportunity with eligible emerging artists they support.

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 Jersey music nonprofits, performing ensembles, summer festivals, conferences, and contemporary music institutions can access funding through the Alice M. Ditson Fund to present living American classical concert composers. Support focuses on artistically strong projects, especially those highlighting younger or lesser-known American composers, including organizations abroad working with a U.S. 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.

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. 

Honda’s Community Event Sponsorship aims to support local, regional, and national events that enhance community engagement and celebrate diverse cultures. Organizations must be U.S.-based and tax-exempt, focusing on projects that serve communities where Honda associates are active. Eligible events include parades, festivals, and educational initiatives. Honda evaluates requests based on community needs and available funding, reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility and community enhancement.

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.

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.

Presser Foundation

Passionate about music, Theodore Presser wanted to give back to it. When he died in 1925, he had been widowed twice without any children. The bulk of his fortune was left to The Presser Foundation, which was formally established 14 years after his death. From 1995 to June 2021, The Presser Foundation gave more than $80 million to music organizations, undergraduate and graduate music students, and retired music teachers.

Originally, the Foundation sought to promote the causes of musical education and musical philanthropy by providing scholarships for promising students, supporting the construction of buildings for music organizations, and directing aid to retired music teachers. Over time, the Foundation has evolved to support a broad array of music genres, expand its grantmaking areas, convene its nonprofit partners at special events, and collaborate with fellow funders, while continuing to follow the original intent and wishes of Theodore Presser.

Assistance to Music Teachers

Theodore Presser, mindful of his own early struggles in the profession, was committed to the support of music teachers. He also felt a sense of gratitude for the thousands of teachers who were the primary customers of his music publication business. In 1906, he established the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers in Philadelphia. When it was no longer practical to maintain an independent facility, the Foundation created the Assistance to Music Teachers Committee to carry on its basic mission of financial support for retired teachers with financial need.

Typically, the Foundation provides modest financial assistance and/or help with the cost of medical insurance. Awards are made to individuals living in the United States whose primary occupation was as a teacher of music. To be considered for Assistance, applicants must be nominated by a music institution for consideration.