Best Music Grants for Nonprofits in Nevada

Nevada 501(c)(3) music organizations seeking capital funding for opera, symphony, or similar civic programs can apply for support of specific equipment or other tangible items. With a mission rooted in animal welfare, land conservation, agriculture, and civic arts, T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation prioritizes established organizations and generally favors California-based applicants.

Nevada arts and cultural nonprofits with U.S.-based 501(c)(3) status and audited expenses over $2 million can access funding through William Randolph Hearst Foundation for culture programs in the arts and sciences. Support may include program or capital funding for museums, orchestras, operas, theaters, ballets, arts schools, and youth-focused arts engagement or artist development initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations in Nevada running arts, education, environmental, or health and wellness projects or community events can apply for Stantec’s Community Engagement Grant. Funding may support visual or performing arts, symphonies, museums, art education, or related initiatives near Stantec office locations, including eligible Nevada counties. Music-focused nonprofits may be particularly interested.

Music students planning to teach piano, voice, or orchestral music in Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties can receive scholarship support through the Loene Pooler Guthrie Scholarship Fund. Focused on music education, Benton Community Foundation invites eligible high school seniors and graduates currently studying music to apply; selections include a public audition component.

Music students pursuing orchestral string degrees can receive scholarship support through the Jim and Margie Fegley Orchestral String Scholarship Fund, including those from Nevada studying in eligible programs. With a mission to help individuals pursue education in music, Berks County Community Foundation provides funding for committed students active in school or community music programs.

Nevada music students pursuing accredited 2- or 4-year colleges can access funding for higher education costs through Legacy Foundation’s Highland Orchestra Scholarship, with awards of US $500. Scholarships support full-time undergraduate study, are paid directly to schools or for book reimbursement, and may benefit students involved in orchestra or symphony programs.

Nevada music students pursuing classical orchestra or music performance studies can access scholarship support through the Michael R. Priddy Music Scholarship, which aids graduating high school seniors planning to study music. Central Kentucky Community Foundation provides this award to students involved in classical orchestra, music performance, or music education–related paths.

Individual singing actors ages 19–32 worldwide can compete for US $750 - US $25,000 in prize money through the Lotte Lenya Competition, showcasing acting and vocal excellence in lyric theater. Grants from Kurt Weill Foundation for Music help Nevada music and opera performers who meet the age and repertoire requirements access this international competition.

Women opera composers developing new works in Nevada can apply for OPERA America’s Discovery Grants, which offer up to US $15,000 for libretto readings, workshops, and working performances. Nonprofit partners supporting women composers in opera may also benefit when collaborating on projects that expand gender parity and diversity in the operatic field.

Graduating high school seniors planning to study music or science can receive US $1,500 for tuition, fees, and required equipment at accredited colleges through the Kenneth E. & Mary Lou Dunbar Scholarship. The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County provides this support, which may interest Nevada music-focused organizations assisting eligible students.

Nevada music nonprofits, professional ensembles, festivals, and conferences presenting contemporary American classical concert music can access funding through the Alice M. Ditson Fund for summer festivals and conferences. Organizations in the U.S. and abroad may be eligible, including those using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, to highlight younger and lesser-known living American composers.

Professional performing ensembles, dance companies, and contemporary music institutions in Nevada can seek funding for general operating or project support focused on contemporary American classical concert music. Focused on classical music performance, the Alice M. Ditson Fund supports organizations with a strong track record of presenting works by younger and relatively unknown living American composers.

Nevada high school seniors pursuing music or other visual/performing arts degrees can receive US $1,000 - US $5,000 to support undergraduate studies through the NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship. NAACP provides U.S. student members with non-renewable funding for accredited college programs, which may benefit those involved in music-focused nonprofits or community arts initiatives.

Professional U.S.-based jazz artists planning multi-stop public performance tours can receive up to US $15,000 to cover fees, travel, lodging, and other touring costs nationwide. Grants from South Arts help artists, including those reaching Nevada communities, build rural-focused jazz tours in traditional and non-traditional venues while strengthening careers and community connections.

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

Gifted early-career opera vocalists connected to major Western U.S. young artist and opera programs may be eligible for support to cover coaching, travel, living, and audition costs, including those based in Nevada. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s Igor Gorin Memorial Award offers up to US $12,000 in unrestricted funding for qualifying singers.

Full-time doctoral students in opera studies at North American universities can receive funding to support dissertation research and completion, including students based in Nevada. American Musicological Society provides a US $25,000 year-long stipend for academically meritorious projects, intended for full-time study on an approved opera-focused dissertation.

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 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.

The American Musicological Society (AMS) offers publication subventions to individuals for music studies-related works. With an annual funding of approximately $80,000, the AMS supports authors and editors in covering costs such as illustrations, translations, and copy-editing. Eligible applicants must be AMS members and can request up to $2,500, provided they haven't received funding in the last three years. This initiative promotes scholarly contributions and embraces innovative projects across all career stages.

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.

The H. Lyman Mooney Music Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides a $450 scholarship to a graduating senior from Marshfield High School pursuing music studies. Applicants must submit their transcripts, demonstrate financial need through FAFSA-SAI, and provide a letter of recommendation from their music teacher. The scholarship application period will reopen on January 1, 2026, for the 2026–27 academic year, aiming to support students in achieving their educational goals.

The Dr. Alice M. Hudder- Richard T. Molder Post-Secondary Scholarship Fund, established by Richard Molder, supports Erie County high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education. In 2023, the Erie Community Foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Two awards will be granted: one for students focusing on science, math, or business, and another for those studying art or music, emphasizing financial need and a strong work ethic.

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.