Application and Instructions
The Levitt Family Foundation is offering grants of up to $5,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals in 2027. Applications are due by Friday, November 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT.
See below for eligibility criteria and to learn about what makes a compelling proposal. For additional information, review our Festival Grants FAQs.
Festival Definition
For the purpose of this grant, a festival is defined as:
- An event or celebration around a theme or programmatic focus, featuring varied and curated performances and activities; and
- Taking place within a condensed timeframe of a minimum of four hours, and occurring on a single day, over multiple consecutive days, or two consecutive weekends.
Seasonal and long-running events presented over a designated period of time, as well as single performances, are ineligible for this grant opportunity—for example: summer concert series, First Friday events, standalone concert presentations, etc., are ineligible.
Refer to levitt.org/festivals for a list of our 2026 Festival Grants recipients.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant must be a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
If applicant does not have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, the applicant may apply with a fiscal sponsor. - Festival must take place outdoors in a public space.
An outdoor public space creates opportunities for social connections among people of all ages and backgrounds. - Festival must be free to the public with no reserved ticket, donation of a specific amount upon entry, pre-registration, “pay what you can” entry, or RSVPs required.
A free festival, with no prior steps or requirements to attend, minimizes barriers to participation and offers a more inclusive atmosphere for people of all socioeconomic circumstances. - Festival has a theme and/or programmatic focus, with live music and performance as a significant component—for example: music genre, visual arts, food/agriculture, local tradition, cultural heritage, neighborhood/business district, etc.
A festival with a clear, identifiable focus fosters community pride, celebrates cultural expression, and creates opportunity for connection, with live music and performance bringing people together for a shared experience. - Programming must feature professional musicians who are compensated for their performances.
Professional musicians ensure a level of artistic excellence for the audience to enjoy and paying artists supports a vibrant live music ecosystem. - Festival must take place for a minimum of four hours on a single day, over multiple consecutive days, or two consecutive weekends.
The festival event must take place over a concentrated period of time, rather than an ongoing series of events occurring regularly over a designated or long-running period of time.
Due to the significant number of grant applications received annually, starting with the 2028 grant cycle, organizations that have previously received three or more years of funding will not be prioritized when determining Festival Grants recipients.
What makes a compelling application?
- Festival is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds and is welcoming to everyone.
- Festival helps drive dynamic social impact and/or economic impact.
- Festival is a unique offering in the community.
- Programming features live music and performance.
- A proven track record of producing festivals or community events.
- A festival budget with displayed community support and the Festival Grants funding (up to $5,000) provides less than 30% of overall festival expenses.
- Refer to current Festival Grants recipients at levitt.org/festivals for examples.
For additional information, review our Festival Grants FAQs.
Application Instructions
All applications must be completed online. Our online application system allows you to save your information and resume completing your application at a later time. For your reference, there is a suggested character count for each narrative question. The character count may be used as a guide to adequately answer each question, though your answers may consist of more or less than the number of characters suggested.
In addition to completing each application field, please be prepared to upload the following in order for your application to be considered complete; the maximum file size for each upload is 5 MB. You will not be able to submit an incomplete application.
- IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter of the applicant organization or fiscal sponsor (PDF)
- Two to three images of the festival from different vantage points. If your festival will be new in 2027, upload images of the festival location, potential performers, and other community events produced by your organization.
Save Instructions
How to Save your application: Our online application system allows you to save your information and resume completing your application at a later time. To save your application, click the Save button at the bottom of the online form. You will be asked to provide an email address, then you’ll receive an email with a link to access your saved application.
Please note, if you leave the application page or close the browser while completing your application without clicking Save, the system will NOT save your work.
After clicking Save, you may continue to work on your application, though be sure to click Save again before leaving the application page. Additional changes made will then be saved to the application link previously emailed to you.
Click here for a PDF of the Festival Grants application and instructions. The PDF is for reference purposes only. All applications must be submitted online.
Grant recipients will be announced Monday, February 1, 2027.