Music Grants and Scholarships

Finding financial support for music education can take time, but grants can help schools, nonprofit organizations, teachers, and community programs provide instruments, instruction, performances, and meaningful musical opportunities for students.

Start Here: Major Grant Resources

Grants.gov

The official United States government website for finding and applying for federal grants. Most opportunities are intended for organizations, schools, agencies, and nonprofits rather than individual students.

Search Federal Grants

National Endowment for the Arts

The NEA supports arts projects and organizations throughout the United States. Its programs can be especially valuable for community arts, school partnerships, and projects that expand access to the arts.

Explore NEA Grants

U.S. Department of Education

The Department of Education provides information about competitive and formula grants for K–12 schools, local education agencies, higher education institutions, teacher preparation, and special populations.

View Education Grants

National Endowment for the Humanities

Although its focus is broader than music education, the NEH may be useful for humanities-based curricula, cultural programming, public projects, educational resources, and teacher development.

Explore NEH Grants

Arts and Music Funding Organizations

State Arts Agencies

Every state and U.S. jurisdiction has a state arts agency. These agencies often provide grants, services, and local funding opportunities for arts organizations, schools, artists, and community programs.

Find Your State Arts Agency

Mockingbird Foundation

The Mockingbird Foundation supports music education programs for children, with particular interest in creative expression, diverse musical styles, composition, instrumentation, vocalization, and improvisation.

Visit the Foundation

Grammy Museum Grants Program

The Recording Academy and Grammy Museum provide programs and opportunities that support music education, preservation, research, and the well-being of music professionals.

Explore Music Education Programs

Foundation Center / Candid

Candid provides nonprofit and foundation research resources, grantseeker tools, and training that can help organizations identify funding opportunities and strengthen applications.

Visit Candid

Donated Instruments and Music Program Support

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation helps school music programs by providing musical instruments and supporting music education opportunities for students.

Learn About Instrument Support

Save The Music Foundation

Save The Music works to help restore and sustain music education in public schools through instruments, technology, resources, and program support.

Visit Save The Music

Helpful Grant-Writing Tips

Start early. Many grant programs have only one or two application periods each year.
Read eligibility requirements carefully before investing time in an application.
Clearly explain who will benefit, how many students will be served, and what the funding will provide.
Use a realistic budget that matches the project description.
Include measurable goals, such as the number of instruments purchased, students served, classes offered, or performances presented.
Ask your school district, PTA/PTO, local education foundation, or city arts agency about local funding opportunities.
Keep copies of successful applications, budgets, receipts, and outcome reports for future grant applications.

Important: Grant programs, eligibility rules, and deadlines change frequently. Always review the current guidelines on the funder’s own website before applying.