Search Through Grants for Musical Instruments in the U.S.

Foundation Purpose

Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne seeks to contribute to the development of a vital culture of excellence in classical music and to help attract new audiences to the field. To achieve these objectives, the Foundation sponsors international academies and master classes conducted by established instructors.

In addition, Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne supports outstanding event series or festivals with visionary programming and innovative modes of outreach and communication to foster the public’s engagement with classical music. In general, the Foundation focuses on the promotion of new and contemporary music, although projects on music from other eras are by no means excluded.

Focus Areas

Visual Arts

Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne’s concept of «Visual Art» encompasses not only the classical genres of art such as painting, sculpture, graphic art, drawing and photography, but also new forms of expression and media such as performance, experimental film and video. The Foundation provides funds for regular and special exhibitions as well as their accompanying catalogues at publicly accessible, well established museums and art collections provided that the exhibitions funded are international in their orientation, relevant from an art historical perspective, and carefully curated. Furthermore, Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne supports innovative und interactive projects that explore new approaches to fostering art education so as to attract new audiences. In principle, the Foundation also provides funds for the involvement of modern media in the expansion or presentation of significant pieces of art in the context of major museum projects.

Music

Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne predominantly supports contemporary classical music projects. However, projects on music from other eras are not excluded as a rule. In its effort to contribute to the development of professional music culture, the Foundation supports international academies and master classes conducted by established instructors. Furthermore, Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne supports various series of music events or festivals that explore new ways of fostering the public’s engagement with classical music in an attempt to attract new audiences. In principle, professional orchestras and ensembles or music centers may also submit a project request for the equipment of rehearsal rooms, the acquisition of instruments or other infra-structural needs.

Cultural Education

In the area of Cultural Education, Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne supports projects that bear a significant relation to Visual Art or Music. The target group includes children and teenagers, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds, who are introduced to art and music in the context of curricular or extracurricular activities. In this way, Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne offers support to teenagers in their personal development and, at the same time, trains the next generation of artists as well as a future audience. A project request can only be submitted provided that the programs are developed, conducted, and realized by a professional artist or a recognized public institution. Furthermore, the projects should have a long-term horizon and be accessible to as wide a group of participants as possible. Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne funds both expansion and continuation of ongoing projects as well as the launch of exemplary pilot projects.

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. 

Mini-grants

Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($500) are awarded to schools or organizations to help pay bluegrass and string bands to present educational programs for students.

While the IBMA Foundation appreciates all forms of music related to bluegrass, including mountain music, old-time, early country, Cajun, blues and a host of other styles which influenced the development of bluegrass music, we must give priority to funding presentations with a central focus on bluegrass music.

This grant is for live ensemble demonstrations that are educational in nature–bands, not solo artists or duos, and more than a concert. Specifically we’re looking for a brief overview of the history and pioneers of bluegrass music, the instruments used and their role in a band, the vocal harmony structure used in bluegrass music and bluegrass music today. Most Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants are used to help pay bluegrass bands to do educational programs at schools: K-12 or college. Sometimes the programs happen at camps or festivals with an educational program.

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Social Service Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.

Funding Priorities in Social Service

In the recent past, 15% of total funding has been allocated to Social Service. Organizations with budgets over $5 million have received 60% of funding in Social Service.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted for new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and general support

Funding

Minimum grant size is $100,000.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation

We believe every person deserves equitable care and education.

In 2020 Labcorp established a private charitable 501(c)(3) foundation to advance our desire to bring quality healthcare access to all by supporting education and our local communities. 

Common grant opportunities include:

• Supporting food pantries and meal programs
• Providing healthcare and patient services for underserved populations
• Encouraging STEM programming
• Advocating for healthy lifestyles through ongoing medical research and screening

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

Helping Build Better Futures

Our mission is to deliver great value to our customers every day. For over four decades, our deep commitment to the principles of providing value and caring for others has helped define our culture. It extends beyond the walls of our stores, distribution centers, and offices, and into our local communities around the world. The intersection of these principles defines our global community mission:

Deliver great value to our communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Our Social Impact Areas

We bring our community relations mission to life around the world by focusing our giving on four social impact areas where we believe we can have the most impact and are critical to helping families and children succeed and thrive.

Basic Needs

We are passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that help fill critical basic needs such as a warm meal, clean clothing, and a safe place to sleep for vulnerable families.

Education & Training

Our efforts have focused on quality enrichment and extracurricular programs that provide skills, resources, and opportunities to support school and career success for children, teens, and young adults.

Patient Care & Research

We support organizations that deliver services to families and children facing health challenges and life-threatening illnesses.

Empowering Women

We support programs that provide services ranging from help for those fleeing domestic violence, to others that offer education, training, and job placement resources.

Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation collaborate with a wide range of nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities. We prioritize our funding to activities and programs that have a broad reach and support the needs of underserved communities. We aspire to have a positive impact on the communities we serve by using our financial and volunteer resources and business expertise in collaboration with community organizations to help solve complex societal problems.

• Financial health
• Housing affordability
• Small business growth
• Sustainability

We may also support other local needs in eligible communities such as disaster relief, arts and culture, civic engagement, education, human and social services, and workforce development. However, opportunities are limited as our intent is to direct the majority of our giving within our major focus areas.

Elliott Carter Special Grant Program

Program Objective

The Elliott Carter Special Grants Program provides funding for significant projects involving the performance or recording of less frequently performed or recorded works by Elliott Carter.

The Elliott Carter Special Grants Program is open to the following organizations:

• Chamber Ensembles
• Chamber Orchestras
• Orchestras
• Choral or Vocal Ensembles
• Opera Companies
• Ballet or Dance Companies
• Experimental or Performance Art Groups
• Commercial Recording Companies
• Music Service/Advocacy Organizations
• Professional Development/Training
• Artist Residency Programs
• Libraries/Archives
• Radio/TV
• Presenters
• Festivals

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative

The Andrew Lloyd Webber initiative provides students at all levels with enhanced theatre education to initiate meaningful relationships with theatre in childhood and open doors for pursuing theatre as children become young adults. By fostering lifelong engagement with theatre through educational avenues, we provide diverse young people across the nation newfound access to industry success.

The initiative is how we rebuild the established path to working in the theatre industry. We reach students across the nation at an early age to make theatre transcend background, creating access to industry opportunities for all who seek them.

The initiative provides classroom grants to create or enhance theatre programs in our nation’s under-resourced schools. Scholarships for afterschool and summer training programs, and tuition support for students pursuing theatre in higher education, provide support on the individual level to students determined to make a career in theatre.

The initiative expands The Wing’s legacy commitment to education and diversity. We expose diverse people and places to theatre, using performing arts education to give every student the opportunity to play a role in the American theatre.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation funds the initiative with an influential 1.3 million dollar three-year grant. The project is an extension of the work Webber, a multi-Tony Award winning composer-producer, is doing to promote and fund arts education through the foundation in the UK.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative encompasses three components to bring students everywhere theatre education at every level:

• Classroom Resources: Providing grant funding directly to under-resourced public schools to provide instruments, dance floors, lighting grids, and other necessary materials to create new, and enhance existing, in-school theatre programs.
• Training Scholarships: Funding goes towards covering the costs associated with sending select students to afterschool and summer training programs.
• 4-Year University Scholarships: Financial support is provided to select students pursuing theatre studies at the University level.  

Classroom Resources Grants

With the generous support of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the American Theatre Wing is investing in public schools to help drama teachers get more of the resources they need to provide quality theatre instruction in their schools. Through this grant-giving program, funding will be provided directly to under-resourced public schools for equipment, instruments, and other necessary materials to create new opportunities and enhance existing theatre programs.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, human services and other causes.

The Lawrence Foundation was established in mid-2000. We make both program and operating grants and do not have any geographical restrictions on our grants. Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or other similar organizations are eligible for grants from The Lawrence Foundation.  

Grant Amount and Types

Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. In some limited cases we may make larger grants, but that is typically after we have gotten to know your organization over a period of time. We also generally don’t make multi-year grants, although we may fund the same organization on a year by year basis over a period of years.

General operating or program/project grant requests within our areas of interests are accepted. In general, regardless of whether a grant request is for general operating or program/project expenses, all of our grants will be issued as unrestricted grants.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Vision

Centene’s purpose is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this purpose. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

History

Classics for Kids Foundation (CFKF) was formed in 1998 in response to the decline of music performance education programs for young people. Our mission is to support young people and the programs that serve them by offering matching grants for fine stringed instruments. Our focus is on at-risk and rural youth, with the premise that learning a complex musical instrument brings with it a host of lifelong benefits including better self-discipline and academic performance, the confidence that comes from doing something well, better coordination, positive peer groups, and immersion in the beauty of music.

CFKF has a grant-making presence in all 50 states of America; at this writing, we’ve supported well over 300 string programs with over $2 million in beautiful new stringed instruments that inspire young people to participate and remain in their programs.

Funding

If your school or non-profit organization believes in the role of fine instruments in your program, and can show evidence of need and commitment to raising matching funds, you are a strong candidate for the Classics for Kids matching grant program.

Instruments needed can be: 

• Violins
• Violas
• Cellos
• Double Basses
• Ukuleles
• Guitars

Mockingbird Foundation Grants

The Mockingbird Foundation provides funding for music education for children, through competitive grants, emergency-related grants, and tour-related grants – more than a million dollars, and counting. Competitive grants are awarded through a two-tiered grant application process that is among the most competitive: We are currently able to fund fewer than 1% of inquiries received (e.g. $40K on $1.4M in inquiries). That’s in part because the need is so widespread, and in part because we are unique in what we fund, differing from other players in this funding area in important ways:

Music itself matters – Music is powerful not only culturally and emotionally, but for skills, health, and general well-being. However, we have never funded a grantee solely on the basis of such tangential benefits (such as for music therapy), and tend to favor applicants who recognize the importance of music education for its own sake. While a laudable enterprise, music therapy is just not what we do.

Direct experience is best – Each grantee works to bring the power of music into the lives of a particular group of children. Several grantees have also utilized funds to expose students to music, also a laudable effort. But the Mockingbird board has historically been more interested in programs that engage students directly with music, rather than in funding musical performances for students who would only observe others experiencing music.

Underserved niches are great – Like Save the Music and Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, we’ve given support to high school bands. But we’re especially proud of support we’ve given to economically, culturally, and musically distinct efforts. Many of our grantees serve children with special needs and/or underserved populations, and some have been internal efforts by dwindling indigenous peoples. Additionally, we are interested in supporting unconventional forms of instruction, and instruction in unconventional forms; and we are not focused on traditional performance skills, but are also interested in composition, vocalization, and musical improvisation.

Unconventional outlets are interesting – Our funding guidelines define music education for children broadly and somewhat unconventionally. For example, while we have funded many schools – rural and urban, public and private, kindergarten through university – we are especially interested in efforts outside of schools, including hospitals, shelters, foster homes, prisons, churches, camps, and community centers.

Outcomes may not be assessable – Nearly all relevant advocacy efforts have focused on putting instruments in public schools, promoting music education as a tool within broader education, and measuring outcomes in terms of assessable skills. Contrarily, the Mockingbird Foundation looks beyond public schools, and is interested in some areas for which skills may be less assessable (or even irrelevant).

Program Areas

The Mockingbird Foundation, Inc. (“Mockingbird”) offers competitive grants to schools and nonprofit organizations that effect improvements in areas of importance to the Phish fan community. Our programmatic focus is music education for children, defined as follows:

Music: We recognize broad and basic needs within conventional instruction, though are particularly interested in projects that foster creative expression (whether in instrumentation, vocalization, composition, or improvisation) and encourage applications associated with diverse or unusual musical styles, genres, forms, and philosophies.

Education: Education may include the provision of instruments, texts, office materials, or equipment; the support of learning, practice, and/or performance spaces; and the provision of instructors or instruction. We appreciate the fostering of self-esteem and free expression, but have never funded music therapy separate from education nor music appreciation which does not include participation.

Children: We primarily fund programs serving children eighteen years of age or younger, but will consider projects which benefit college students, teachers, instructors, or adult students. We are particularly (though not exclusively) interested in programs which benefit disenfranchised groups, including those with low skill levels, income, or education; with disabilities or terminal illnesses; and in foster homes, shelters, hospitals, prisons, or other remote or isolated situations.

ROSS MERRILL AWARD

The Ross Merrill Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections honors institutions in North America that have shown an exemplary and sustained commitment to conservation and collections care through interpretation, research, scholarship, education, and/or public outreach.

Criteria

• Nominators should provide evidence of the nominee’s sustained and exemplary commitment to the preservation and care of its collections through description of its conservation and preservation activities, special programs and involvement of conservation professionals in decision-making processes. Providing evidence of how the organization has broadened its community’s understanding of the goals of conservation and the importance of preserving cultural property through its conservation activities can strengthen a nomination.

• Nominators can be any individual within or outside the organization, although when the nomination comes from outside it is useful if the nomination package includes a letter from the institution's director. Letters of support are welcome, and are most appropriate when they come from outside the organization and from individuals knowledgeable about conservation.

Guidelines

• Nominations should show evidence of involvement of senior conservation professionals who are recognized by their peers, such as Fellows or Professional Associates of the American Institute for Conservation. Nominators should demonstrate this by including a brief (one page or less) summary of the professional credentials of key conservation professionals and describe the role they have played at the institution.
• Nominations should show evidence of a systematic approach to long-term planning for collections care. Nominators can demonstrate this by descriptions of maintenance plans, condition surveys, future treatment priorities, staffing plans, disaster preparedness guidelines, or storage redesign and upgrades.
• Nominations should show evidence of community impact and involvement. Nominators can demonstrate this by fundraising efforts, volunteer programs, or educational activities with community groups and schools.
• Nominations should show evidence of outreach in the form of websites, radio and television coverage, or local newspaper articles.
• Nominations should show evidence of attempts to recruit support from multiple financial and or personnel resources.
• Nominations should show evidence of exemplary work and achievements. This award seeks to recognize organizations and programs that can be held up as models for others to emulate.

Many successful applicants submitted for several award cycles. Re-submissions, particularly with updated information, are always welcome.

Award

This award does not come with any monetary compensation.

Mission

The mission of the Tri-M Foundation is to cultivate and promote the production and presentation of regional performing and media arts, through grants and gifts to new and established arts organizations and educational institutions, and through our own salons and publications.

We focus on traditional theatre, music, dance, and motion pictures, as well as new and innovative works in new and experimental forms of media.  We are interested in the development and production of new works and individual emerging artists; bringing performance and discussion to regional communities; and the study, research, and publication of information about these art forms.  Although we recognize the important work of artists in the traditional cultural centers of the country, we also believe that vital work is developed and performed in other regions, and seek to encourage artists and audiences in those areas.

In 2025 – 2026, we are awarding grants in the disciplines of Theatre (plays) and Dance.

Performing Arts Grant Program

The purpose of the Program is to support the development and presentation of innovative, high-quality performing arts projects by regional non-profit arts organizations.

Grant Program Priorities: What We're Looking for in a Proposal

Proposed projects must comply with the applicant’s established mission and vision, be a featured project in the organization’s season, and demonstrate detailed planning. We want to see projects that encourage artists to produce their best work, enthrall audiences, and provoke important discussions. Ideal projects for this grant take a unique regional perspective and address a location's culture, history, aesthetic, or character.

We invite organizations to submit proposals for projects that address sensitive topics, controversial politics, and uncomfortable subjects.  Grantees must make their programs open and accessible to all members of the public, regardless of sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual preference, or gender expression.

Award Information

Award Range: $3,000 – $10,000.

Project Periods: Maximum of 12 months following the award; at this time, the Program does NOT fund multi-year projects.

Anticipated Number of Awards: 5 - 7 awards per year.

Grants

The D’Addario Foundation prioritizes nonprofit organizations that provide free or affordable music instruction to communities that would not otherwise have access to this opportunity.

Each year, we support approximately 200 nonprofits around the globe through distinct grant opportunities:

Community Music Grants

These 1- and 2-year awards provide cash and in-kind support to nonprofits that offer free or affordable, robust music instruction (minimum 3 hours per week per student) with an emphasis on outreach and accessibility.

Chamber Music America’s Classical Commissioning Program provides grants to professional U.S.-based presenters and ensembles whose programming includes Western European and/or non-Western classical and contemporary music. Grants are provided for the commissioning and performance of new works by American composers. The program supports works scored for 2–10 musicians performing one per part, composed in any of the musical styles associated with contemporary classical music.

Chamber Music America encourages commissions by emerging and mid-career composers.

Mission

At The NAMM Foundation, our mission is clear - Invest in the future of music.

Global Grantmaking

Inspired by the generosity of the music products industry, The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) established The NAMM Foundation in 2006 to make charitable investments that create more music makers across the lifespan. Since then, the foundation has awarded $20 million in nonprofit and music research grants. 

Today, the foundation seeks to understand the systemic barriers that prevent youth and adults from participating in music-making and music careers. We then invest in big ideas and bold solutions that help eliminate these barriers.  

Our Global Grantmaking invests in charitable organizations, worldwide, that demonstrate a significant impact on music career mobility and the creation of more music makers across the lifespan of learning.   

What We Fund

We award grants to high-impact organizations across the globe that create more music makers by eliminating barriers for underrepresented communities and groups of people in two areas, Participatory Music Making and Career Mobility:

• Participatory Music Making:
  • High-quality, hands-on, relevant music-making, music-training, that is, or will be, a permanent part of an organization’s annual programming and serve, or will serve, an established cohort of participants that engage with the program regularly.
• Career Mobility:
  • Career Mobility is career development for youth or adults in any area of the music industry. Commercial (e.g. production, recording, live event, instrument makers, retail, etc.) musicians, and teaching artists.

Grant Tracks

Within these given priorities, we offer three grant tracks:

• Music Program Grants for US and International Organizations
• General Operating Grants for US Music Organizations
• Music Research Grants for US Organizations

General Operating Grants

We accept General Operating Grant applications from 501 (c)(3) nonprofit music organizations whose entire mission aligns with our funding priorities and demonstrate strong management practices and high programmatic standards.

Funding

Grants from The NAMM Foundation can range between $5,000-$25,000, depending on the size and scope of the request.

Mission

At The NAMM Foundation, our mission is clear - Invest in the future of music.

Global Grantmaking

Inspired by the generosity of the music products industry, The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) established The NAMM Foundation in 2006 to make charitable investments that create more music makers across the lifespan. Since then, the foundation has awarded $20 million in nonprofit and music research grants. 

Today, the foundation seeks to understand the systemic barriers that prevent youth and adults from participating in music-making and music careers. We then invest in big ideas and bold solutions that help eliminate these barriers.  

Our Global Grantmaking invests in charitable organizations, worldwide, that demonstrate a significant impact on music career mobility and the creation of more music makers across the lifespan of learning.   

What We Fund

We award grants to high-impact organizations across the globe that create more music makers by eliminating barriers for underrepresented communities and groups of people in two areas, Participatory Music Making and Career Mobility:

• Participatory Music Making:
  • High-quality, hands-on, relevant music-making, music-training, that is, or will be, a permanent part of an organization’s annual programming and serve, or will serve, an established cohort of participants that engage with the program regularly.
• Career Mobility:
  • Career Mobility is career development for youth or adults in any area of the music industry. Commercial (e.g. production, recording, live event, instrument makers, retail, etc.) musicians, and teaching artists.

Grant Tracks

Within these given priorities, we offer three grant tracks:

• Music Program Grants for US and International Organizations
• General Operating Grants for US Music Organizations
• Music Research Grants for US Organizations

Music Program Grants

The NAMM Foundation accepts Music Program Grant applications from 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations and their international equivalents to support Participatory Music Making and Career Mobility, benefiting historically underrepresented communities or groups.

Funding

Grants from The NAMM Foundation can range between $5,000-$25,000, depending on the size and scope of the request.

True Inspiration Awards

The True Inspiration Awards® program was created in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A® founder S. Truett Cathy. Through these annual grants, it is our pleasure to celebrate and support nonprofit organizations making an impact in their local communities.

S. Truett Cathy Honoree

One organization will be selected as the S. Truett Cathy Honoree. The S. Truett Cathy Honoree embodies the generous, innovative spirit of Chick-fil-A’s late founder — pioneering new ways to solve problems and serve others.

Category winners

In 2025 we will continue to support nonprofits with a total commitment of $6 million in grants ranging from $30,000-$350,000.

Sixteen organizations will be awarded for their work in these areas.

Caring for People (four winners): Programs or projects supporting educational initiatives, including fostering character and leadership development, academic excellence and community involvement in underserved youth.

Caring through Food (four winners): Programs or projects focused on addressing hunger and food insecurity facing children and their families.

Community (four winners): Programs or projects focused on providing housing and other direct services to support young people and their families.

Caring for our Planet (four winners): Programs or projects that show care for our environment and our planet, or that demonstrate environmental stewardship through initiatives directly related to our other True Inspiration Awards categories of food, community and people (i.e., community beautification, education opportunities, community gardens, outdoor classrooms, etc.) 

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

Mission

At The NAMM Foundation, our mission is clear - Invest in the future of music.

Global Grantmaking

Inspired by the generosity of the music products industry, The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) established The NAMM Foundation in 2006 to make charitable investments that create more music makers across the lifespan. Since then, the foundation has awarded $20 million in nonprofit and music research grants. 

Today, the foundation seeks to understand the systemic barriers that prevent youth and adults from participating in music-making and music careers. We then invest in big ideas and bold solutions that help eliminate these barriers.  

Our Global Grantmaking invests in charitable organizations, worldwide, that demonstrate a significant impact on music career mobility and the creation of more music makers across the lifespan of learning.   

What We Fund

We award grants to high-impact organizations across the globe that create more music makers by eliminating barriers for underrepresented communities and groups of people in two areas, Participatory Music Making and Career Mobility:

• Participatory Music Making:
  • High-quality, hands-on, relevant music-making, music-training, that is, or will be, a permanent part of an organization’s annual programming and serve, or will serve, an established cohort of participants that engage with the program regularly.
• Career Mobility:
  • Career Mobility is career development for youth or adults in any area of the music industry. Commercial (e.g. production, recording, live event, instrument makers, retail, etc.) musicians, and teaching artists.

Grant Tracks

Within these given priorities, we offer three grant tracks:

• Music Program Grants for US and International Organizations
• General Operating Grants for US Music Organizations
• Music Research Grants for US Organizations

Music Research Grants

We award research grants that improve practices for music education, support music makers, and enhance workforce development. These grants also seek to increase public and private resources and focus on unique, non-duplicative research topics.

Funding

Grants from The NAMM Foundation can range between $5,000-$25,000, depending on the size and scope of the request.

Performance Program

Funds are available for General Operating Support for professional performing ensembles and presenting organizations with a history of substantial commitment to contemporary American music and with plans to continue that commitment. The program also provides Project Support for exceptionally important activities relating to contemporary American music proposed by professional performing ensembles and presenting organizations that do not normally feature such music in their programming.

• An eligible project is a clearly defined endeavor that includes one or more performances of contemporary American music and, often, other activities related to the performance(s) that improve the public’s knowledge of such music.

The Performance Program also supports the electronic dissemination of live performances, including both live streams or broadcasts and delayed streams or broadcasts. Expenses such as recording and electronic distribution costs can be considered as eligible costs in a request for general operating or project support when related to live performance. Stand-alone recording projects (e.g., a studio album) and projects involving the acquisition of equipment (e.g., microphones, cameras, etc.) are not eligible for support in this program.

Special note for dance applicants

The Fund’s primary focus for dance applicants is on the quality of the music and the performance, which must be by live musicians, not the choreography. However, the choreography must enhance the performance of contemporary American music.

Special note for festival applicants and other applications with professional training activities

If the primary focus of the organization or project is public professional performance of music, the applicant should apply to the Performance Program. If the primary focus of the organization or project is educational activities, workshops, professional training, or career development, the applicant should apply to the Supplemental Program.

Funding Provisions

In general, grants range from $1,000 to $20,000. Grant amounts for larger organizations with a demonstrated extraordinary commitment to contemporary American music may exceed these amounts at the discretion of the panel. Please note that the awarding of a grant for general operating support in one year does not imply continuation of that support in subsequent years. Project support grants are for that project only, and no more than one grant will be awarded for a single project.

Please refer to FAQ for additional guidelines.

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards recognize fundamental contributions in a broad array of areas of scientific knowledge, technology, humanities and artistic creation, as listed in point 2 of these call conditions.

The disciplines and domains of the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards are:

• Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
• Biology and Biomedicine
• Information and Communication Technologies
• Climate Change and Environmental Sciences
• Economics, Finance and Management
• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Music and Opera

The Climate Change and Environmental Sciences award recognizes both research endeavors in these two areas and impactful actions informed by the best science. The Music and Opera category encompasses composition, instrumental and vocal performance, musical and stage direction, and video art creation associated with musical or operatic works.

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards consist of 400,000 euros, a diploma and a commemorative artwork in each of their eight categories.

In the event that an award is shared by more than one person, its monetary amount will be divided equally among all recipients.

All awards, in whatever category, will be subject to the withholding and other taxes prescribed by current legislation, which will be deducted from their total amount.

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

Grants

The D’Addario Foundation prioritizes nonprofit organizations that provide free or affordable music instruction to communities that would not otherwise have access to this opportunity.

Each year, we support approximately 200 nonprofits around the globe through distinct grant opportunities:

In-Kind Grants

These annual awards provide in-kind support to nonprofits that offer a minimum of 2 hours per week per student of free or affordable music instruction, offer instrument repairs or instrument repair instruction, and/or restore instruments for donation to nonprofits.