Best Music Grants for Nonprofits in Oklahoma

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.

Nonprofit opera, symphony, and similar civic organizations in Oklahoma seeking capital funding for specific equipment or facilities can apply for support; awards are up to US $50,000. With a mission to back animal protection, land and wildlife conservation, agriculture, and performing arts, T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation prioritizes established 501(c)(3) groups, especially those based in California.

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

Music students planning careers in teaching piano, voice, or orchestral music can receive scholarship support for study in Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties through the Benton Community Foundation. Individuals connected to these Oregon counties pursuing music education may benefit, including those whose work could later support nonprofit music programs, ensembles, or instruction in places like Oklahoma.

Individual students pursuing orchestral string music degrees can receive scholarship support for higher education; applicants must be Berks County residents with strong academic records and active music participation. With a mission to support education, Berks County Community Foundation provides scholarships that Oklahoma music nonprofits may reference for students continuing their musical studies.

Oklahoma music students pursuing accredited 2- or 4-year colleges can access funding through Legacy Foundation's Highland Orchestra Scholarship for tuition or books. Awards of US $500 support full-time undergraduate study in fields such as orchestra or related music programs, with funds paid directly to schools or used for book reimbursement.

High school seniors involved in classical orchestra or music performance, or planning to study music, can access scholarship funding that may benefit future music-focused work in Oklahoma. Central Kentucky Community Foundation’s Michael R. Priddy Music Scholarship supports students from specific Kentucky high schools pursuing music-related education, which may indirectly strengthen nonprofit and orchestral music programs over time.

Individual singing actors ages 19–32 working in music theater and opera, including those in Oklahoma, can compete for US $750 - US $25,000 in prize awards. Grants from Kurt Weill Foundation help performers worldwide showcase fully acted, vocally strong lyric theater programs, with multiple prize tiers from preliminary rounds through finals.

Oklahoma high school seniors pursuing visual or performing arts degrees can receive US $1,000 - US $5,000 in non-renewable scholarship support through the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Eligible students must be NAACP members, U.S. residents or citizens, and enrolled or accepted full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university.

Professional U.S.-based jazz artists and artist-led groups can receive up to US $15,000 to support multi-stop touring performances in rural and underserved communities, including Oklahoma. Grants from South Arts help cover performance fees, travel, lodging, meals, and backline equipment for three- to six-venue public jazz tours across the country.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study science or music at accredited colleges can receive US $1,500 for tuition and required educational expenses through the Kenneth E. & Mary Lou Dunbar Scholarship, available to Jefferson County, Indiana students. Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County provides this support; Oklahoma music-focused nonprofits may share this opportunity with eligible students they serve.

Nonprofits, schools, government entities, and religious organizations running music or music festival projects within 25 miles of Parsons may be eligible for annual competitive funding in parts of Oklahoma and nearby Kansas. Parsons Area Community Foundation accepts applications each winter and requires a completion report with photos for future funding consideration.

Nonprofit organizations and public entities in rural Oklahoma communities can seek funding for arts, culture, history, literacy, health, safety, and economic development projects, including music-related programs and festivals. Focused on community enrichment, Oklahoma City Community Foundation invites applicants to propose collaborative projects that enhance quality of life and serve broad segments of the community, with awards up to US $40,000.

Full-time doctoral students at North American universities with approved opera studies dissertations can receive funding to support a year of focused research and writing. The American Musicological Society provides a US $25,000 stipend for dissertation work in opera studies, which may benefit Oklahoma-based music scholars and programs connected to opera research.

Women opera composers in the U.S. developing new works can apply for OPERA America’s Discovery Grants, which provide up to US $15,000 for libretto readings, workshops, and work-in-progress performances. Oklahoma music and opera nonprofits working with eligible women composers may benefit by partnering to support these development activities.

Oklahoma music nonprofits and professional performing organizations presenting contemporary American classical concert music can access funding through the Alice M. Ditson Fund to support summer festivals and conferences. U.S. and certain international groups working with younger or under-recognized living American composers may be eligible, including projects using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.

Professional performing ensembles, dance companies, and contemporary music institutions in Oklahoma can seek funding for general operating or project support focused on contemporary American classical concert music. Focused on classical music, opera, and dance, the Alice M. Ditson Fund also allows fiscal sponsorship by 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including for eligible international projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and accredited educational institutions can seek up to US $1,000 for community-enriching programs, including music festivals and performing arts, in Garvin County, Oklahoma and other eligible counties. Grants from Amcor Cares Foundation help support youth activities, community events, arts, conservation, education enrichment, history, and animal welfare initiatives.

Oklahoma 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals can receive support for 2026 programming, including performance and production costs. Focused on music festivals and arts access, the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation offers grants of up to US $5,000 to U.S.-based organizations activating underused outdoor spaces with live music.

Individual young opera vocalists needing support for early-career expenses may be eligible for up to US $12,000 in unrestricted funding, usable for coaching, travel, living costs, clothing, and audition expenses. Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s Igor Gorin Memorial Award serves qualified U.S.-based opera artists, which may include those connected to Oklahoma music organizations.

The Bev Sellers Memorial Scholarship, established by Sweet Adelines International, aims to support young singers pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Pedagogy, Music Education, or Music Composition. Named after a cherished former president, this scholarship provides $5,000 USD to assist with tuition and fees. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to barbershop music, maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, and provide letters of reference. This initiative reflects the organization's dedication to fostering musical talent and education within the community.

The Pat Ostrander 4-Star Collection Quartet Scholarship, established by Sweet Adelines International, offers $1,600 to two quartets to attend the 2026 A Cappella Academy or the Sweet Adelines International Convention. To qualify, quartet members must be active Sweet Adelines members and submit three recommendations, demonstrating their commitment. This initiative celebrates barbershop harmony and empowers quartets to enhance their skills through structured educational events, fostering a vibrant community of singers.

The American Musicological Society (AMS) provides publication subventions to support music scholarship. With an annual budget of approximately $80,000, these funds assist institutions and individuals, particularly those in the Coalition of Music Organizations, in covering publication costs and enhancing accessibility. Grants are available for various formats including books and articles, promoting diversity in music studies and ensuring that scholarly works can reach a wider audience.

Our Mission

Empower donors to fulfill their passions and dreams by establishing charitable vehicles designed to create a positive and enduring impact on Jewish Buffalo, Western New York and the World.

Geoff Richter Performing Arts Award

The Geoff Richter Performing Arts Award Committee announces the availability of an Award up to $2,000! The GRPAA was founded in memory of Geoff Richter, Western New York Musician and Educator of the Arts.

About Geoff Richter

A native of Eden, New York, Geoff received his Bachelor of Music degree with a Performer’s Certificate in trumpet and a Master’s with a Performers Fellowship, from the Eastman School of Music.

Geoff played trumpet professionally with the Rochester, San Antonio, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestras and Niagara Falls, Binghamton, Chautauqua, Orchard Park, Clarence, Cheektowaga, and Amherst Symphony Orchestras. He co-founded the Buffalo Brass Quintet, the Buffalo Niagara Concert Band, and The Frankfurters, an internationally known Bavarian show band. He also acted as the summer/pops conductor of the Erie County Wind Ensemble and the Amherst Symphony Orchestra.

After retiring from a long career at Williamsville North High School, Geoff started working part time as director of the orchestra for musicals at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute. He also worked with the Mount Saint Mary Academy band and recruited and directed the orchestra for the annual school musical.

The Hearing Health Fund, part of Sweet Relief Musicians Fund in collaboration with Sweetwater, aims to support musicians and music industry professionals facing hearing difficulties. This initiative addresses the auditory risks inherent in the music industry due to exposure to loud sounds. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and prove that a significant portion of their income comes from music-related work, ensuring that assistance reaches those most affected by hearing challenges.

The ACFM General Support Program provides funding ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 for organizations committed to contemporary American concert music and jazz. It supports performing ensembles, presenters, and music service organizations that enhance public appreciation of these genres. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years of programming history and a professional operational level. Activities must occur within the specified support year of September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027.

The ACFM Project Support Program offers funding between $2,000 and $20,000 for special projects that enhance public appreciation of contemporary American concert music and jazz. Eligible applicants include performing ensembles and music organizations with a minimum of two years of programming history. Projects must focus on contemporary works by American composers and can involve live performances, recordings, or educational initiatives. This support is pivotal for fostering innovation and creativity in the American music scene.