Funding for musicians: music grants in the USA

It’s easier than ever to make music and share it with the world. But being able to do it full-time is another story.

There are lots of different ways musicians can make money, but one source of funding for music projects that’s often overlooked is grants.

What are music grants?

Grants are an excellent form of funding for musicians. There are several music grant organizations in the USA that regularly award cash to serious artists, allowing them to focus on furthering their music careers. And unlike loans, they don’t need to be paid back.

Sound too good to be true? These funding opportunities are out there for the taking, but they’re very competitive. You’ll need to research which ones are a good fit for you, find out when the deadlines are, and set aside plenty of time for the application process, which can be intense.

Some music grant organizations exist to help out fledgling artists, while others support more established careers. Depending on the type of grant, the funding could be used to get a new music project off the ground, record an album, produce marketing material, or tour. Some organizations place no restrictions at all on how you can use the money.

Here are seven of our favorite music grants available in the United States to get your wheels turning. But definitely check out local opportunities in your own city or state — you never know what you might come across.

1. New Music USA

Region: United States

New Music USA’s mission is to support and promote all kinds of musical creativity in the United States. They offer funding for music projects, support for small ensembles, and programs for under-represented composers. Find out more about New Music USA’s grants.

2. Foundation for Contemporary Arts

Region: United States

The Foundation for Contemporary Arts was created by artists in 1963 to promote the innovative work of their peers. Today, they offer generous grants to nominated artists, as well as emergency grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 for which any artist urgently in need of funding can apply. Learn more about the Foundation for Contemporary Arts’ grant programs.

3. AmplifyWorld Artist Fund

Region: Worldwide

The AmplifyWorld Artist Fund provides financial support for exceptional artists who are ready to take their careers to the next level. The fund launched in 2024 with $500,000 and music creators can receive individual grants anywhere between $1,000 and $50,000. As long as you have a Spotify artist profile and a specific project or goal in mind for your music, you’re eligible to apply. 

4. New York Foundation for the Arts

Region: New York

The New York Foundation for the Arts has a long history of supporting artists at every stage of their careers. Unlike grants that fund specific projects, the unrestricted $8,000 fellowships are “intended to fund an artist’s vision or voice, at all levels of their artistic development.” Learn more about NYFA’s artist fellowships and other grants.

5. Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

Region: United States

The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation was established in 1979 to support regional arts programming, and has since expanded to include initiatives in other parts of the United States. The grants provide support for artists looking to create, tour, build an audience, and develop their careers. Explore MAAF’s unique artist grant programs here.

6. Tennessee Arts Commission

Region: Tennessee

With a mission to “cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities,” the Tennessee Arts Commission offers a wide variety of annual grants for individuals, projects, arts education, and more. The Individual Artist Fellowship awards $5,000 to professional artists of all stripes. There are no specific requirements for how you use the money, but you do have to already be making a living off of music to qualify for the fellowship. Find more details here.

7. Musicians Foundation

Region: United States

Musicians Foundation provides emergency grants to professional musicians who are experiencing unexpected hardships. The financial assistance helps pay off essential bills, such as medical treatments, rents, mortgages, and utilities. Eligible applicants typically receive grants in one to two weeks. Check out the requirements and apply here.

Even if you don’t get the music grant you wanted the first time around, applying for funding is still a valuable process to go through. As you continue honing your craft and refining your unique artist voice, your applications will only become stronger.