VCF: Concert Artists Fund Grant

The Concert Artists Fund specifically supports classical music performances in Chittenden County, offering grants of up to $20,000 over two years. Organizations must be tax-exempt and serve Vermont's community. The fund prioritizes artistic quality and accessibility while ensuring activities are free from discrimination. This initiative fosters collaboration, enhancing the cultural landscape of the region.

About the Vermont Community Foundation
We are a family of hundreds of funds and foundations created by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. Together, our funds and programs put more than $60 million a year to work in Vermont and beyond, through grants and investments.
Although many grant programs at the Vermont Community Foundation include support of the arts as part of its mission, the Concert Artists Fund is exclusively dedicated to supporting the arts. In 2005, the Concert Artists Fund was created from the estate of Charles Goetz to support performances of classical music in Chittenden County.
The Concert Artist Fund switched to a two year grant cycle in 2016. Grants awarded will be for two years of funding distributed in two equal annual payments, conditional on receipt of a successful first year report and confirmed plans to continue presenting qualified work in the coming year.
Grant Size
Up to $20,000 over two years, up to $10,000 per year. The average grant size is $5,500, for a one year grant cycle. Grant activities must take place between June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2027 to be eligible for funding.

Eligibility

Grant applications will be accepted from organizations that are located in or serve the people of Vermont. Organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency or municipality in the state of Vermont.Nonprofit organizations or community groups who do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply for grant awards if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor.No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available (meaning any funds having a competitive application process) by the Vermont Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Foundation.If grant applicants employ staff or engage volunteers, they must do so and provide services without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability.What We Fund:These grants support organizations that present performances of classical music in Chittenden County. Funds are limited to the support of public performances and cannot support music education or other programs.
Applications to the Concert Artists Fund will be evaluated using the following criteria:Funds will support performances of classical music in Chittenden County.Artistic quality, as demonstrated in work samples.Capacity of the organization to present the performance(s) for which funds are requested.Clear plan to ensure that the performance(s) will be open to the public and attended by a broad audience, including underserved populations.Reasonable and appropriate budget and demonstrated ability to raise the funds needed for the project.The fund appreciates opportunities to support collaborations or unique partnerships resulting in excellent programming.

Ineligibility

Arts education programs A note on art education programs: the Vermont Community Foundation recognizes that art education programs for youth and adults are a critical component of the life-long learning that helps create healthy and vital Vermont communities. The Foundation will consider art education programs through several grant programs, including Spark Connecting Community and many of our regional programs such as the Walter Cerf Fund, the Green Mountain Fund, and the Northeast Kingdom FunArt for religious purposesCapital campaigns or debt reductionExpenses that have already been incurredEvents that occur before grants are awarded

Tax-exempt organizations presenting classical music performances in Chittenden County, Vermont; no arts education, religious performances, capital campaigns or already-incurred expenses.