Best Music Grants for Nonprofits in Vermont

With a mission to support education, medical care, and cultural/arts projects, Davis Family Foundation provides Vermont music and arts nonprofits with project-specific funding for innovative, non-recurring initiatives. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must primarily benefit Maine residents, with cultural or music projects that expand access and align with the foundation’s strategic giving areas.

Vermont organizations using music as an educational tool for any age group can access funding through Music Drives Us to support or restore music programs. Grants up to US $10,000 assist schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and similar institutions, especially those facing cuts to music education funding.

Schools and nonprofit organizations in Vermont needing instruments to start or strengthen music programs can receive brand-new instruments through the Instrument Grant. Music Drives Us provides Vermont music education groups with support for immediate instrument needs at public and private schools, charter schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, YMCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities in Vermont can apply for Vermont Community Foundation’s Arts & Social Cohesion Grant, offering up to US $12,000 for community-based arts and music projects. Funding supports participatory performances, workshops, public art, and similar activities that build belonging, connection, and wellbeing, especially for marginalized Vermonters.

Vermont musicians and music groups offering free, educational performances can seek funding to support concerts in schools, after-school programs, and public spaces. Grants from Boch Family Foundation dba Music Drives Us help cover time and expenses for New England performances, with awards up to US $10,000. Prior grantees must wait three years before reapplying.

Nonprofit opera, symphony, and similar civic organizations in Vermont can seek capital funding for specific equipment or facility needs through the T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation, with awards up to US $50,000. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) or 170(c) entities, at least two years old, with a record of effective service; California organizations receive priority but U.S. groups may apply.

Nonprofit cultural institutions in Vermont offering arts or science programs, especially those engaging youth or developing artistic talent, can apply for William Randolph Hearst Foundation Culture Grants. Grants from William Randolph Hearst Foundation help U.S. organizations with audited expenses over $2 million fund program, capital, and limited general or endowment support in areas like opera, symphony, museums, and arts education.

Nonprofit organizations running arts, education, environment, or health and wellness projects or events in Vermont can seek support for community initiatives through Stantec’s Community Engagement Grant. Focused on strengthening communities, Stantec invites applications for visual and performing arts, symphonies and orchestras, museums, and related cultural or educational programming.

Music students planning to teach piano, voice, or orchestral music can receive scholarship support for their studies through the Loene Pooler Guthrie Scholarship Fund in Oregon. Focused on music education, Benton Community Foundation invites eligible students from Benton, Linn, and Lincoln County high schools or their graduates now in higher education to apply.

Individual Berks County music students pursuing college degrees in orchestral strings can receive scholarship support for higher education. Berks County Community Foundation provides Vermont music and orchestra nonprofits with a sense of the kinds of academic scholarship programs that may benefit aspiring musicians connected to their work.

Graduating high school seniors involved in classical orchestra, music performance, or planning to study music can receive scholarship support for higher education; applicants must attend Hardin County Schools, Elizabethtown High School, or LaRue County High School. Focused on music and youth arts, Central Kentucky Community Foundation’s Michael R. Priddy Music Scholarship may benefit students connected to Vermont music communities.

Vermont music students pursuing accredited 2- or 4-year degrees and involved in symphony or orchestra can access funding through Legacy Foundation: Lake County's Community Foundation, with awards of US $500 for tuition or books. Eligible full-time undergraduates apply via the Legacy Universal Application, and funds are paid directly to schools or used for book reimbursement.

Individual singing actors ages 19–32, including those based in Vermont, can apply for the Kurt Weill Foundation’s Lotte Lenya Competition, with awards from US $750 - US $25,000 for outstanding vocal and acting performances in lyric theater. This international competition supports emerging and advanced performers in music, theater, and opera.

Graduating high school seniors in the U.S. pursuing visual or performing arts degrees, including music-related fields, can receive $1,000 to $5,000 to support undergraduate study. Grants from NAACP help students, including those from Vermont, who are NAACP members with a 3.0+ GPA and full-time college enrollment plans in creative disciplines.

Performing organizations, institutions, summer festivals, and conferences presenting contemporary American classical concert music can apply for organizational support from the Alice M. Ditson Fund; awards back projects featuring living American composers. Vermont music nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups planning summer festivals or conferences may be eligible, including those with U.S.-based fiscal sponsors.

Professional performing ensembles, dance companies, and contemporary music institutions in Vermont and beyond can seek general operating or project support for performances of living American classical concert composers. With a mission to advance contemporary American music, The Alice M. Ditson Fund supports organizations (or those with 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors), including eligible international groups presenting American works.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing science or music fields can receive US $1,500 toward tuition, fees, and required equipment at accredited colleges or universities. The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County awards this scholarship based on academics, activities, and financial need; Vermont music-focused nonprofits may share this with eligible students they serve.

Vermont opera vocalists beginning professional careers can access funding through the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona’s Igor Gorin Memorial Award, offering up to US $12,000 in unrestricted support. Eligible applicants include recent finalists in specified Metropolitan Opera district auditions and participants in leading West Coast and Arizona young artist opera programs.

Jazz artists and artist-led groups planning multi-stop U.S. tours, including dates in Vermont, can receive up to US $15,000 to support performances in traditional or non-traditional venues. South Arts’ Jazz Road Tours covers performance fees, travel, lodging, meals, and backline, prioritizing rural and underserved communities and public concerts at three to six venues.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals can access funding through the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation, with awards up to US $5,000. This national program supports performing arts and outdoor music events that activate underused public spaces and expand community access to live music.

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.

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.

The Pinetop Assistance League (PAL) Grant provides crucial financial support to elderly blues musicians, ensuring their well-being during emergencies. This grant, part of the Pinetop Perkins Foundation's mission, offers assistance for medical expenses, home care, and essential living costs. Eligible applicants must be professional artists aged 50 or older with a household income below $35,000. By addressing these needs, PAL plays a vital role in preserving the legacy and care of blues musicians.

The Affiliate Grants - Chapter Activities Fund, offered by the American Musicological Society, provides financial support for chapter activities and programs. Each chapter can request up to $500, covering no more than 50% of total costs. Applications are accepted semi-annually, with deadlines of August 1 for summer and January 15 for winter. Notably, chapters can only receive funding once per twelve-month period, ensuring fair distribution of resources.

The American Musicological Society offers Affiliate Grants to support study group activities with up to $500 in funding, covering no more than 50% of total costs. Applications are accepted twice a year, with deadlines on August 1 and January 15. Only elected representatives of AMS study groups can apply, and groups may receive funding only once in a twelve-month period. Funds must be utilized within a year of the award date.

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.