About Music Series 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 activate 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 501(c)(3) 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.

Applications for the 2026-2028 grant cycle are now closed. Out of over 300 proposals received, just over 100 nonprofits from across the country advanced to the public voting phase. Reflecting the Foundation’s commitment that all Levitt projects be community-driven, the top 50 finalists were selected through public voting in September 2025. From there, the Levitt Foundation reviewed all finalists and selected 26 nonprofits to receive Levitt Music Series Grants. Through a partnership with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, an additional six Levitt AMP grantees were selected from Tennessee. And through a partnership with the Mississippi Arts Commission combining a public art grant with a Levitt Music Series grant, two additional Levitt AMP grantees were selected from Mississippi.

 

 

Application Timeline

MAY 1 2025

Application opens

JUN 30 2025

Application closes

AUG 2025

Notifications for public voting period

SEP 5–15 2025

Public voting period

SEP 16 2025

Finalists announced

NOV 18 2025

Grant recipients announced

FEB 2026

Levitt Learning Conference 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 (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 period and receive a mini grant of $1,500 and Levitt Voting Toolkit to support their efforts
  • Finalists determined by public voting
  • The Levitt Foundation reviews and determines which nonprofits will receive Levitt Music Series Grants
  • Grants are awarded to selected U.S.-based nonprofits
  • Each grantee receives a three-year matching grant of up to $40K/year for three years (2026, 2027, 2028) to present a Levitt Music Series of 7-10 free outdoor concerts each year
  • 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 national Levitt website, eblast and social media templates, sponsorship package examples, list of talent agents, access to the Levitt Artist Booking Consultant, consultation with staff at the Levitt Foundation, and more
  • Grantees attend a Levitt Learning Conference in Los Angeles (expenses covered by Foundation) to explore best practices, exchange ideas and develop peer-to-peer connections

FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS

The Levitt Foundation has partnered with the State of Mississippi and State of Tennessee for additional grants in those states.
What Makes A Compelling Proposal?

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:

  • The public space where the free concert series is to be presented is easily accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic circumstances.
  • The public space is underused and activation of the space will create dynamic social and economic impact.
  • A programming philosophy that is inclusive, family-friendly and represents a wide range of music genres.
  • A proven track record of presenting professional quality concerts or community events or partnering with an individual or organization that has done so.
  • Partnerships with other organizations to broaden reach and deepen impact of the music series.

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.
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Public Voting Period

Reflecting our commitment that all Levitt programs be community-driven, public voting took place September 2025 to choose the top 50 finalists.

  • Public voting took place online and via text.
  • Voters were able to vote for up to 5 different proposals (but only once per proposal).
  • The Levitt Foundation reviewed the top 50 finalists and selected the 2026-2028 Levitt Music Series grants recipients, announced on November 18, 2025.

 

View Grantees