Best Grants for Musical Instruments in New Jersey

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.

501(c)(3) organizations in New Jersey can apply for Knight Family Charitable Foundation grants to support music, arts, education, humanitarian projects, or protection of U.S. native animals and habitats. Programs that promote music and the arts, including instrument-related initiatives, may be competitive if they clearly fit the foundation’s mission priorities.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) presenters and eligible government units presenting professional touring artists can access funding through Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Jazz Touring Network to support jazz presentation and touring programs. Members receive up to US $3,000, professional development, and collaborative block-booking opportunities to expand vibrant, diverse jazz offerings, which may include instrument-focused performances or ensembles.

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

Nonprofit charities running music or other cultural, educational, social, or environmental projects in New Jersey and worldwide can seek philanthropic support for program activities and community initiatives. La Roche prioritizes accredited charities whose innovative projects promote sustainable development, engage employees, and may involve contemporary arts or youth-focused science and education programming.

The Karen Colina Wilson Foundation Grant supports programs for children, youth, and women, enhancing their health and well-being through education, art, literature, and music. Established in 2006, the foundation aims to make a positive difference in their lives, particularly in Southern and Western Wayne County, Michigan. Grants typically range from $500 to $10,000, often as matching funds, fostering broader fundraising efforts by local nonprofit organizations.

Medical students in New Jersey engaged in bioethics in medicine or semiprofessional/professional music, theater, literature, art, or dance programs can receive tuition assistance through the Lazarus Family Scholarship in Bioethics and Humanities. The AMA Foundation’s Physicians of Tomorrow program awards US $10,000 scholarships to students entering their final year of training across the U.S.

Emerging jazz artists ages 21–35 in New Jersey and across the U.S. can apply for CultureSource’s Next Jazz Legacy support, awarding US $10,000 for career development and mentorship. The program offers apprenticeship with master bandleaders, creative and business mentoring, cohort learning, and performance showcases, which may help cover costs related to instruments and other professional needs.

High-achieving Beatrice High School seniors planning higher education can receive scholarship support for tuition, room and board, or books, including students active in music. Beatrice Educational Foundation’s Hays, Colin, Legacy Scholarship offers up to US $2,000 total for one to three students who demonstrate strong academics, community involvement, and school participation.

Graduating Beatrice High School seniors pursuing undergraduate study and needing financial help can receive up to US $1,000 for tuition, room and board, or books through this music-focused scholarship. Beatrice Educational Foundation favors applicants involved in choir, band, jazz or other music programs, volunteer organizations, and St. John Lutheran Church members.

Individual scholars preparing music studies publications in New Jersey can receive up to US $2,500 to cover production costs such as illustrations, musical examples, permissions, indexing, translations, and copy-editing. The American Musicological Society supports works of musical scholarship, including books, articles, essay collections, special journal issues, and non-print media; applicants must be AMS members.

Publishers and music organizations that are members of the Coalition of Music Organizations, including those in New Jersey, can apply for American Musicological Society institutional publication subventions, with awards up to Up to US $4,000, to support publishing works of musical scholarship. Funding can reduce retail prices, defray production costs, or increase accessibility.

New Jersey music ensembles affiliated with Sweet Adelines can access funding to attend Sweet Adelines educational events through the Pat Ostrander 4-Star Collection Quartet Scholarship. Sweet Adelines International provides two quartets with US $1,600 each to cover registration, lodging, meals, and some travel for select 2026 training and convention opportunities.

Undergraduate music students focused on vocal pedagogy, music education, or music composition in New Jersey can receive support for tuition and fees through the Bev Sellers Memorial Scholarship. With a mission to empower women singers, Sweet Adelines International provides US $5,000 awards to applicants active in barbershop or Sweet Adelines programs for at least one year.

Nonprofit performing ensembles, presenters, music service organizations, and record companies with a strong track record in contemporary American concert music or jazz can receive US $2,000 - US $20,000 in unrestricted general support. Focused on contemporary music, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music invites eligible U.S. organizations, including those in New Jersey, whose work deepens public appreciation of these genres.

Music nonprofits, ensembles, presenters, service organizations, and record companies in New Jersey can apply for the Aaron Copland Fund for Music’s project support grants, awarding US $2,000 - US $20,000 for special projects in contemporary American concert music and jazz. Eligible activities include performances, recordings, live streams, and related public engagement programs.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing music studies can apply for the H. Lyman Mooney Music Scholarship, which awards US $450 for college or vocational education costs. Offered by Community Foundation of the Ozarks, this support may benefit New Jersey music students seeking help with tuition and related expenses for accredited programs.

New Jersey music and arts students can access funding through the Dr. Alice M. Hudder–Richard T. Molder Post-Secondary Scholarship Fund to pursue college studies in art or music. Administered by Erie Community Foundation, this need-based award supports high school seniors with a 3.0+ GPA who are committed to post-secondary education.

The Joanie Bostic Memorial Senior Pirate Spirit Award, established by the Decatur County Community Foundation, honors Joanie Bostic's passion for youth and Greensburg athletics. This scholarship recognizes a senior who exemplifies outstanding school spirit through participation in or support of athletics or music. Eligible candidates must be graduating seniors from Greensburg Community High School and submit a statement detailing their school experience and encouragement of Pirate spirit.

About Us

Mission Statement

The Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies offers a unique environment for the study, appreciation, use, and promotion of a wide range of keyboard instruments. To serve an increasingly diverse audience, the Center presents keyboard-related conferences, workshops, concerts, masterclasses, educational programs, and publishes scholarly work at regular intervals; longstanding priorities have included the intersections of historical practices and technologies with larger social and artistic developments. In its activities and governance, the Center seeks to foster inclusion and equity among artists, builders, scholars, educators, students, enthusiasts, and partner organizations.

Since its founding in 1979, the Center has sponsored over one hundred events, including workshops, research conferences and symposia, tours to historic instruments, solo recitals and early music concerts, and educational programs designed to interest the general public in keyboard instruments and their repertoire.

Members include highly acclaimed artists, noted scholars, some of the world’s greatest instrument builders, and music lovers.

The Barbara Owen Research Grant

A lifelong member of the Westfield Center, Barbara Owen made immense contributions to our understanding of the organ and its music. She was especially known for her scholarship on the American organ and organists, and she co-wrote the Grove Dictionary article on the organ, a standard reference work. To honor her memory, the Westfield Center will award a $2000 grant for research into historical keyboard instruments (organ, harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano). The research may culminate in a scholarly article or other format for presenting the information.

Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Founded in 1978, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is a tax-exempt trusted public charity that advances equity through philanthropy and community leadership. Its work is guided by a strategic plan that advances four key priorities for the region:

• Social and Economic Mobility
• Opportunities for All
• Inclusive Systems of Economic Growth
• Community Resilience

Leslie Richardson Memorial Swan & Sparrow Scholarship Fund

The Leslie Richardson Memorial Swan & Sparrow Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to benefit students studying musical performance, jazz studies or choral conducting at a historically or predominantly black college or university (HBCU).

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

What is Emergency Assistance Fund

Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals:

• In times of unexpected critical need.
• To assist towards basic living expenses, such as health care, housing and utilities to prevent eviction or shut-offs.

Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund

The Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund offers emergency financial assistance to current or former employees of Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

The Ethel Zwiebel Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the North State, supports Shasta County students majoring in music who demonstrate financial need. This award is open to graduating high school seniors and Shasta College students completing their two-year music program. By fostering educational goals, this scholarship aims to empower young musicians to pursue their passion for music in higher education.

The Jean T. Grant Scholarship, established by The Columbus Foundation, honors the legacy of Jean Terry Grant, a devoted librarian and arts advocate. Providing $1,000, this scholarship supports graduating seniors from Columbus City Schools pursuing studies in music or the arts. Jean's commitment to education and the arts inspires future generations, ensuring that her passion for creativity and philanthropy continues to impact the community positively.

The Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1948, dedicated to enhancing public appreciation of music. It offers free, live music programs across the United States and Canada, ensuring access to quality musical experiences for diverse communities. Funded by royalties from major record labels, the MPTF collaborates with local arts organizations to promote music education and performance, enriching lives through the power of music at no cost to attendees.

The We Are Moving The Needle Scholarship supports women, trans, and non-binary creators in the music industry by offering two full scholarships for a masterclass with GRAMMY-nominated producer Alissia in Paris. This initiative aims to empower underrepresented voices through education and mentorship, fostering a more inclusive music industry. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops designed to enhance their production skills and gain insights from a leading industry professional, contributing to lasting cultural change.