About Grants

 

About Levitt Music Series Grants

Levitt Music Series Grants are an exciting multi-year matching grant program made possible by the Levitt Foundation, a national creative placemaking funder dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of America through the power of free, live music. As a foundation committed to building community through music, Levitt Music Series Grants revitalize underused public spaces, ensure access to the arts and create welcoming gathering places that foster belonging and connections among people of all ages and backgrounds.

Levitt Music Series grantees are U.S.-based nonprofits that receive three-year matching grants of up to $40K per year, for a total grant award of up to $120K, to present 7-10 free concerts each year that inject new life into underused public spaces, creating joyous, inclusive community destinations in towns and cities of all sizes.

Since 2015, the Levitt Foundation has awarded grants to more than 50 communities across America through the Levitt AMP, VIBE, and BLOC grant programs. Check out the nonprofits who have received Levitt Music Series Grants to present free outdoor concerts.

Interested in applying? Scroll down to learn more about eligibility criteria and the application process. Click on a button below to learn more about each music series grant opportunity.

Is your organization based in Tennessee or Mississippi? Scroll down to view special grant opportunities for nonprofits based in these states.

 

Application Timeline

MAY 1 2025

Application opens

JUN 30 2025

Application closes

AUG 2025

Notifications for online voting phase

SEP 5–15, 2025

Public voting period

SEP 16, 2025

Finalists announced

NOV 18 2025

Grant recipients announced

EARLY 2026

Levitt Convening in Los Angeles for new grantees

How It Works

  • Nonprofits complete registration form to determine which grant type (AMP, VIBE or BLOC) is the right fit for their community
  • Once grant type is determined, nonprofits complete an online grant application on levitt.org website (A nonprofit may submit only one application for a Levitt Music Series grant)
  • The Levitt Foundation reviews all submitted applications; selected proposals advance to the public voting phase and receive a grant of $1,500 and Levitt voting toolkit to support their efforts
  • Finalists determined by public voting are reviewed by the Levitt Foundation
  • Grants are awarded to U.S.-based nonprofits
  • Each grantee receives a three-year matching grant of up to $40,000 per year, for three years, (2026, 2027, 2028) to present a Levitt Music Series of 7-10 free outdoor concerts each year (Levitt AMP, VIBE, or BLOC)
  • Recognizing that Levitt concerts take place in all parts of the country, Levitt Music Series may take place between April 1-October 31 of each year. The frequency of concerts may be weekly, split into two seasons (for example, spring season/fall season), or every other week.
  • Each Levitt Music Series features a musically diverse lineup of high-caliber talent
  • To ensure each grantee is positioned for success, grantees receive a Levitt Music Series Toolkit containing valuable resources, such as sample artist contract, sample press release, hosted page on levitt.org, eblast and social media templates, sponsorship package examples, list of talent managers, access to the Levitt Artist Booking Consultant, consultation with staff at the Levitt Foundation, and more.
  • Grantees attend an in-person Levitt Convening in Los Angeles to learn best practices and share ideas

ARE YOU BASED IN TENNESSEE OR MISSISSIPPI?

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR APPLICANTS FROM THESE STATES!

 

Eligibility Criteria for all applicants
  • Applicant must be a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the same town, city, or county of the proposed music series.
  • The proposed music series must be free to the public.
  • The proposed public space where the free concerts would be presented must be outdoors, easily accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic circumstances, and have a lawn-like setting with no fixed seating.
  • The proposed public space is underused and activation of the space would create dynamic social and economic impact.
Read More
The Most Compelling Proposals Will Depend Upon A Variety Of Factors

Levitt concerts are intended to create inclusive experiences, where all members of the community are welcome to participate in the joy of free, live music. The most compelling proposals will convey the following:

Read More

Upcoming Webinars

 

Join us for a live webinar on May 7 and May 21, 2025 to learn more about applying for a Levitt Music Series Grant. During the webinar, we’ll discuss the overall application process, including:

  • Goals of Levitt Music Series Grants
  • Outline the three grant options: AMP, VIBE, BLOC
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Online application process and key dates
  • What makes a compelling application
  • Matching funds requirement
  • Public voting process and mini grant
  • Levitt Toolkit and support resources

At the end of the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

 

May 7 at 10:00 am PT May 21 at 10:00 am PT

Sign Up to Vote

 

  • Reflecting our committment that all Levitt projects be community-driven, the top Levitt Music Series finalists will be selected  through public voting (online and text to vote) in September 2025.
  • Applicants advancing to the public voting phase will receive a mini grant of $1,500 and a Levitt Voting Toolkit to support their efforts.
  • The Levitt Foundation then reviews the finalists and will announce the Levitt Music Series Grant recipients in November 2025.

 

Sign Up