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Competitive Grants

THE MOCKINGBIRD FOUNDATION

Foundation Annual Music Education GrantsGrants for NonprofitsGrants for Youth Programs
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Funding Amount

$100 - $10,000

Deadline

January 15, 2027

282 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Competitive Grants

Overview: The Mockingbird Foundation's primary competitive grant program for music education funding. The Foundation funds perhaps several dozen competitive grants each year from typically over 1,000 initial inquiries, with a funding rate of fewer than 1%.

Geographic Scope: U.S. only, with interest in geographic diversity. Has funded in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

Focus Areas:

  • Music education for children (ages 18 and younger)

  • Creative expression through instrumentation, vocalization, composition, and improvisation

  • Diverse or unusual musical styles, genres, forms, and philosophies

  • Programs serving disenfranchised groups (low income/education/skill levels, disabilities, terminal illnesses, foster homes, shelters, hospitals, prisons, isolated situations)

  • Unconventional instruction settings: hospitals, shelters, foster homes, prisons, churches, camps, community centers (not limited to schools)

    • Grant Categories Include:

  • Instruments ($1,111,975 across 204 grants)

  • Staffing ($310,693 across 53 grants)

  • Equipment ($160,444 across 34 grants)

  • Scholarships ($158,500 across 29 grants)

  • General Support ($83,500 across 18 grants)

  • New Program ($25,000 across 6 grants)

  • Curricula ($8,500 across 2 grants)

  • Mixed Needs ($144,789 across 33 grants)

  • Other ($207,758 across 32 grants)

    • Eligibility:

  • Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

  • Sponsored institutions with 501(c)(3) status

  • Government entities (public elementary schools)

  • Public schools eligible (must be school-based, take place at school, supervised by municipality)

  • Organizations operated without discrimination in hiring or service provision

    • What They Don't Fund:

  • Grants to individuals

  • Research

  • Fundraising organizations or events

  • Programs promoting or engaging in religious or political doctrine

  • Organizations outside the United States

  • Music therapy separate from education

  • Music appreciation without participation

  • Musical performances for observation only (preference for direct student participation)

    • Award Structure:

  • Grants range from $100 to $10,000

  • One-time basis, non-renewable and non-transferable

  • 411 competitive grants totaling $2,211,159 (79.2% of total grant dollars awarded)

    • Special Interests:

  • Organizations with low overhead

  • Innovative approaches

  • Collaborative elements

  • Serving disadvantaged populations

    • Contact: ellis@mbird.org

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Two-Tiered Competitive Process:

    1. Initial Inquiry Submission (June 15 - January 15)
    - Complete the Initial Inquiry Form online only
    - No inquiries via postal mail or other channels will be considered
    - Provide organizational details and brief narrative elements
    - Read all funding guidelines before completing form
    - Do not send supplemental materials (brochures, newsletters, recordings, etc.)
    - Do not put Foundation on any mailing list

    2. First-Stage Review (January 17 - ~February 21)
    - Inquiries randomly assigned to multiple volunteer reviewers
    - Each reviewer receives 20-200 submissions
    - Reviewers select three inquiries from their docket

    3. Second-Stage Review (~February 22 - ~March 13)
    - Subset of reviewers collaboratively considers all selections
    - Final slate of ~15 applicants determined

    4. Proposal Invitations (March 15)
    - Selected organizations invited to submit full proposals
    - Submission deadline: ~April 15
    - Full proposals by invitation only; unsolicited proposals will not be considered

    5. Proposal Review (April 16+)
    - Volunteer review with final dockets integrating full proposals and inquiry elements
    - Two-stage review by Grantmaking Committee then full Board

    6. Final Funding Decisions (Mid-June)
    - Final decisions announced (typically mid-June)
    - Proposed slate may include amounts different from those requested

    Important Notes:

  • Complete inquiries using Chrome or Safari (avoid Firefox on Mac)

  • Do not include punctuation when asked for amounts

  • No status updates provided prior to proposal invitation

  • Contact only via email if selected for proposal stage

  • Few questions can be answered regarding likelihood of funding

  • Reference past recipients and funding guidelines for best guidance

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    music-educationnonprofitsyouth-programs

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Music Education GrantsGrants for NonprofitsGrants for Youth Programs

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