Advocacy and Research Grants: Strengthening the Sector

Funder: The Meredith And Rosemary Willson Charitable Foundation (aka The Music Man Foundation)

The Music Man Foundation invites eligible organizations to apply for Advocacy and Research Grants aimed at supporting systemic change in the arts sector. Organizations must demonstrate their impact on music-related systems, showcase their priorities in the field, and outline their achievements. Grants will assist with research, advocacy training, and cross-sector initiatives to enhance community vitality and promote sustainable solutions, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to fostering positive arts engagement.

NOTE: August 30, 2024 is the final day for organizations to verify eligibility and start submission process. This is indicated by the pre proposal deadline listed above.
Overview
The Music Man Foundation has a history of providing support to organizations advocating for positive changes in the arts, whether it be for increased public funding to arts programs, support for policy changes, the conducting or dissemination of new research, or increasing public will in support of the arts. We have partnered with select dedicated organizations working on a regional, statewide, or national level.
This year, the Foundation invites a broader group of eligible organizations to apply for support, in line with aims to support systemic change via empowering organizations working at the intersection of music, learning, and well-being. Organizations must be able to identify the system it seeks to impact, demonstrate why it is well-positioned to take on this system change, explain why its work is a priority for the field, and share accomplishments and/or progress toward achieving sustainable solutions. We anticipate grants will support activities such as:
research and policy analyses that promote the need for arts (specifically music) to change and improve circumstances,cross-sector initiatives that cultivate allies and build bridges between the arts and other interest groups,advocacy training and tools that build the capacity of arts and cultural leaders to understand and proactively influence issues impacting the arts and community vitality, and/ordesigning solutions that shift the circumstances within a system to promote efficiency and sustainability.

Eligibility

In order to be considered for funding, an organization must:Reflect music within the organization’s effortsOperate as a non-profit organizationHave at least 2 years of mission-aligned programmingHave a service jurisdiction that includes either Los Angeles County, California, or the United States of America. Programs focused on a state that is not California will not be eligible.Have had at least one paid employee for a minimum of one year.For organizations that have previously received a grant from The Music Man Foundation, the organization must be in good standing with the Foundation before applying for the Award.Not have a structural deficit.