Music education grants for teachers: Teaching music is challenging enough without financial support. Being a music educator you must know the far-reaching benefits that music has in one’s life in terms of physical, emotional and mental well-being. Despite the ample benefits of music education a lot of educators in schools require grants and resources to continue providing music education for students. Budget cutting has a great impact on resources available for music education programs.
Fortunately, there are ways for educators to take back their music education programs and provide students with the necessary resources they need by using grants and funding from government entities, nonprofit organizations and private foundations. This guide will throw light on a list of music education grants for teachers and how you can kick-start the application process.
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Highlights of this Post
What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Qualify For Music Education Grants For Teachers?
The eligibility criteria to qualify for music education grants for teachers are as follows:
- Applicants must be actively teaching music at the time of application
- Applicant must apply for funding for only one project per year
- Grants can be used for private study, particularly college-level coursework, special projects in performance, music therapy, composition, purchase of classroom supplies and so on.
- Applicants must articulate how they can benefit from the grant and the impact that the project can create on their professional development or for the students.
- Applicants must submit a proposal outlining their program or project, including their goals, objectives, budget, and expected outcomes.
- Priority is given to programs serving low-income communities and students in need.
- Must prove your music education or program helps students with opportunities to learn and perform on musical instruments.
- Must complete an online application and provide relevant information about the students, the programs, the budget, the amount of funds needed etc.
- Applicants must have a program that needs support and resources, such as instruments, equipment, or supplies.
- Must demonstrate a commitment to providing its students with a quality music education and show how the grant funds will be used to support the desired goal.
- Applicable must have a plan to sustain the music program and ensure its continued success.
What Are The Available Music Education Grants For Teachers?
There is no doubt music educators need more resources and grant funding to continue their music education programs for students. There are government, corporate and private grants for music education for teachers to choose from. We have got a selection of the most common programs for you to jumpstart the application procedure.
Government Music Education Grants For Teachers
Grants.gov
Grants.gov is an official government website for finding suitable government-funded programs. Music teachers who are looking for grants to educate their children can explore a variety of funding opportunities that are available through government agencies and help to support arts and education.
National Endowment for the Arts
The objective of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is to “assist all people in leading lives that are more innovative.” The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) aims to ensure that people in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other areas under U.S. authority have access to the arts.
Public arts groups and organizations, nonprofit arts groups, schools, universities, federally recognized tribal communities or tribes, and independent authors and translators are the primary recipients of NEA funding for music awards for artists.
Music education grants for teachers applications are reviewed by panels made up of art experts and people from around the country. All music awards for musicians, except individual grants provided to authors and translators, must contain a matching contribution from a source other than the federal government.
Department of Education
The U.S Department of Education aims to improve education in the United States so that all students have access to quality education and can compete successfully worldwide.
The mission of the U.S. Department of Education is to provide federal leadership in three core areas: assuring effective learning; encouraging academic success; and supporting teachers and schools through financial resources, partnerships, programs, and career development.
The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is responsible for the education of children from kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as efforts to ensure that all youth have equal access to an effective education.
The National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was formed in 1965 as an autonomous government agency. It is one of the largest private funders in the United States for arts and humanities projects.
The National Endowment for the Humanities typically funds institutions such as museums, records, colleges, universities, community television and radio stations, and independent scholars. Awards given to single creators fall under the following categories:
- Boost the quality of education provided in schools and colleges; Encourage original research and scholarly endeavors; Open up opportunities for lifelong learning.
- Keeping historical and academic materials around for use by the general population
- Strengthen the pillars upon which the humanities are built.
To achieve this aim, the Endowment awards music education grants for teachers to groups whose proposals have been deemed the most compelling by independent review panels.
Student Support And Academic Enrichment
The Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Program is a government-funded opportunity that increases resources as a music educator. This program provides access to well-rounded education for all students and fosters a healthy learning environment. Once the funding is distributed to the states individually every state is responsible for distributing the funds.
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Corporate Music Education Grants For Teachers
Kinder Morgan Grant
Kinder Morgan Foundation supports music education programs that serve K-12 underserved students throughout the United States of America. The foundation focuses on programs that support schools and arts and provides them with grant assistance ranging between $5000 to $20,000.
The Kinder Morgan Foundation gives grants for marching bands that serve low-income elementary through high school students in many different places. Schools are highly encouraged to apply, and those that have programs aimed at fostering the arts will be given priority.
Fender Music Foundation
The popular guitar manufacturing company in the United States of America known as Fender is widely known for its guitars and provides grant funding, particularly for school music programs at any grade level.
The Fender Music Foundation has school music programs at any grade level and the initiative gives nearly eight instruments to promote music in schools, school-related music therapy programs and after-school programs. With the assistance of the foundation music teachers can improve the quality of their music education programs.
D’Addario Foundation
The D’Addario Foundation’s grant program promotes music education in schools. However, the organization would rather not provide funding for instrument purchases. Finding sustainable funding for music education programs is a priority.
The ASCAP Foundation
The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers is an organization that protects the rights of creatives. However, they also have a foundation that provides initial funding and ongoing creative support for aspiring composers and programmers.
If you can submit a proposal, you’ll need to include the usual details, like a timeline and an explanation of how the money will be spent. As a group of composers, they put a premium on initiatives that either spread awareness of new music or inspire the next generation of musicians to follow in their creative footsteps.
Reverb Gives
The Reverb program provides $10,000 per year to an artist as a grant. The grant winners are chosen based on their ability to express themselves and articulate their vision in a way that will find an audience of people. At Reverb, they firmly believe that music can change the world.
Because of this, they decided to launch Reverb Gives, an initiative that equips young people participating in music education programs in different parts of the world with the instruments they require to create music. The Foundation Center maintains a directory of over 20,000 foundations that have been established, as well as other relevant information that philanthropists and donors can use.
Music Education Grants For Teachers By Private Foundations
American Country Music Lifting Lives Grant
The Academy Of Country Music Lifting Lives Grant is committed to improving the lives of individuals through the power of music. They look for resources and programs that use music for healing as well as promoting the power of music.
The grant amount ranges from $5000 to $10,000. Special consideration is given by the organization to music education programs that serve music therapy including those with special needs or at-risk populations.
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Associated Chamber Music Players Grant
The Associated Chamber Music Players Grant supports encouraging and spreading the performance of smaller chamber music. The grants are available for school-associated programs and adults and may range up to $2500 in funding.
The grant can be contributed to the purchase or repair of new musical instruments. You need to provide a detailed project plan, and timeline and state how the funding can help you to connect all encouraging chamber music.
BMI Foundation
BMI stands for Broadcasting Music which supports the spread of music in various ways. They provide funds in three main areas: fellowship for research, awards and scholarships for music students to further their studies, and grants supporting the spread and study of contemporary works.
Music teachers who are looking for funds to expand their music education programs can seek assistance from this foundation. While some applications are made by invitation only, some can be applied at any time and some are awarded for significant works. The foundation makes special consideration to jazz, music, research and music composition types of projects.
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NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation provides financial assistance and grants for music education programs and also advocates for music education supported by schools, communities and art educators.
Being a popular nonprofit organization the foundation works to advance active participation in music-making programs and support anthropic giving, public service programs and scientific research.
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MTNA Foundation
The charitable arm of the Music Teachers National Association known as the MTNA Foundation is a professional organization for music educators in the United States of America. This foundation provides financial support to music students, teachers and programs that support music education.
This foundation provides a wide array of music learning initiatives and programs including scholarship opportunities for students, grants for music teachers and professional development opportunities for music educators. MTNA Teacher Enrichment Grant assists up to $750 to music teachers.
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation supports after-school networks in all 50 states including help to nonprofit organizations, government entities and indigenous groups. It is committed to making after-school and summer learning programs available for every family and child who needs them.
The Education Advancing After School Grants Foundation helps to increase access to quality educational opportunities and music learning for all children especially those who belong to underserved communities and low-income families.
VH1 Save The Music Foundation
Save the Music Foundation has been created to provide students with the right music education including help with music instruments since 1997. Save the Music has assisted nearly 2000 schools throughout the United States of America to establish their music programs.
For instance, if you’re teaching students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade then apply for the Intro to Music Grant that will award you assistance for $22,000. High school-aged students can receive assistance with the J. Dilla Tech Grant which mixes student learning about how technology is reshaping the music industry.
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The National Association For Music Education
The National Association for Music Education has helped students with high-quality music education and operates at the national, state and community levels. For the past three years, the organization has awarded more than $31 million towards student learning.
The mission of the organization is to fund music education programs and help teachers and organizations to provide quality music education programs including help with equipment and instrument purchases.
Music educators in schools who are applying for music instrument grants from this foundation must craft their grant proposal and emphasize the need for additional music equipment as well as classroom supplies.
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The CMA Foundation
Music teachers often struggle to bear the weight of budget cuts as well as underfunded music programs so the foundation strives to reduce the financial burden by supporting schools and music educators and providing them grants of up to $25,000.
The CMA Foundation provides grant funding for music education to make sure all students get access to well-rounded and quality music education. The foundation provides grants to make sure children can connect, create and collaborate through the power of music.
Sharon Gewirtz Kids To Concerts
Middle school students interested in learning to play the string instrument can apply for a stipend through the Sharon Gewirtz program. Programs can take many forms, and some of these forms include mentoring and concert-going. Schools with established string programs that foster meaningful connections between middle school violinists and advanced musicians will be prioritized.
Mockingbird Foundation
Mockingbird Foundation aims to increase awareness of and funding for music education in all its forms, with special attention paid to the wide range of in-school musical activities now offered.
Grant applications often receive an approval rate of under 1%. The money might be used for various things, including the purchase of instruments, the creation of new programming, and even the production of concerts.
The Puffin Foundation
The Puffin Foundation provides grants worth up to $2,500, with an average value of approximately $1,250. It will be open to artists in music, cinematography, theater, and other fields of public interest. The provision of grants makes it possible for individuals or groups to acquire financial support.
Donations made by individuals range from approximately $1,250 up to a maximum of $2,500, with the average amount being approximately $1,250. Applicants must be permanent residents or citizens of the United States to be eligible, and the artwork they submit has to be in line with the ideals of the foundation for it to be considered.
McCarthy Dressman Foundation
The McCarthy Dressman Foundation provides a wide array of teaching grants for individual instructors and small groups of teachers who are serving in K-12 institutions of higher learning.
The grant awards allow educators to use their teaching methods in the classroom to promote insightful as well as innovative professional training and growth. These teaching grants can also help educators contribute towards musical instruments in their classrooms.
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Peter R. Marsh Foundation
Peter R. Marsh Foundation through The Middle School Music Grant Program supports the efforts of art educators in lending their students a fruitful life of emotional wellness and behavioral kindness by nurturing compassion and empathy through community service and inspiration to become accomplished musicians.
They provide funds for the purchase of in-school music classroom equipment, transportation and supplies. The fund from this foundation goes towards music, curriculum, workbooks, instruments, equipment purchase, concert attire, essential supplies and consumables and transportation to senior facilities for the performance etc.
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AAE Classroom Grant
AAE Classroom program provides instructors with a grant of up to $500 to acquire classroom resources such as books, curriculum, or audio-visual equipment. Grants are limited to $500 per school year and no more than 10 schools per state.
An application must be completed and submitted by the applicant by July 31st, before the beginning of the school year. All applications must be submitted online. The AAE may request additional information as part of its review process.
Guitars 4 Gifts
Guitars 4 Gifts is a charitable organization that falls under the 501(c)(3) category and donates musical instruments to underprivileged communities through pre-existing organizations to facilitate the process of healing and communication.
They provide impoverished communities with musical instruments so that individuals can share their stories and find healing through music. Through the power of music, their mission is to ensure everyone has access to the resources they require to heal and sympathize with others.
Hungry for Music
Hungry for Music helps recipients to get high-quality instruments. Children who exhibit an interest in learning music are eligible to receive their services, as are teachers with pupils willing to learn. Over the past 27 years, they have sent over 16,000 musical instruments to children in 50 states and 32 countries.
They also provide financial assistance to families unable to pay an instrument’s rental or purchase costs. They assist music instructors and program coordinators where students cannot participate in the activity due to financial constraints.
DonorsChoose Grants
DonorsChoose helps teachers to hold a fundraiser to solicit monetary contributions from students and community members for various worthwhile causes, including purchasing fresh classroom materials and completing innovative classroom projects. This award is available to any educator or administrator working in a school who needs financial support.
Conclusion
A lot of music teachers are aware that music and arts programs are least likely to get funding and mostly suffer from budget cuts. According to a recent survey nearly 1.3 million elementary school students have no access to music education. Most of the high-end middle schools funnel their resources towards STEM and athletic programs so students fail to revenue from music education. Fortunately, not all hope is lost. A lot of organizations and foundations provide grants to music educators to supplement their music programs in the form of grants and assistance programs. Music education grants for educators enable them to connect with organizations that recognize the value of music education and make sure students can access these programs.
Read about Music education grants for Nonprofits at the Get Government Grants’ section today. Our resources will help you to find the right type of support based on your needs and requirements.