ADVOCACY GRANTS

Strengthening the Sector grants will provide initiative-based support to organizations catalyzing pro-arts policy change through advocacy efforts. 

Organizations that are well-aligned with this advocacy grant 1) have well-structured advocacy initiative(s) that are designed to address a field need, 2) understand why this initiative is a priority for the field, 3) promote equitable access to the arts, and 4) are able to cite advocacy achievements, including progress with policy work.

Organizations with either new or existing advocacy initiatives may be eligible. 

While we observe many organizations act as advocates for their program participants, this grant opportunity is meant to fund advocacy initiatives with a policy focus.

While we observe many organizations act as advocates for their program participants, this grant opportunity is meant to fund advocacy initiatives with a policy focus.

Defining Advocacy

Advocacy is educating or taking action to influence public opinion and public policies for a particular cause. 

Grant Amount and Duration

Strengthening the Sector grants will range in amount between $20,000 - $250,000 in a 12-month period. Grants will provide one-time funding without any commitment by The Music Man Foundation to provide additional funding in the future.  Recipient organizations may reapply.

If the organization’s proposed initiative is multi-year in scope, the Foundation may consider up to 24 months of support.

General Operating Support

Advocacy organizations whose efforts are entirely dedicated to advocacy may apply for general operating support. This will be determined after the Organizational Interview.

Submission Process 

The submission process includes the components outlined below. Please refer to the timeline for applicable deadlines.

• Organizations must verify eligibility by completing the Eligibility Quiz.

• Eligible organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) that provides an overview of the proposed initiative.

• If the proposed initiative aligns with the grant opportunity, the organization will be invited to participate in a Leadership Meeting.

• Select organizations will be invited to submit a full application.

All submissions must be completed in the Foundation’s online grant portal.  To begin the submission process, you may access the grant portal via the link located at the bottom of this webpage.

Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

The LOI should include:

• An overview, up to one page in length, of the proposed initiative, including its importance to the organization and the field.

• Details that indicate thoughtful planning around the proposed initiative, including participants, cadence of programming, and geographic impact.

• A timeline that includes notable dates for the proposed initiative.

• While a full budget is not required, provide a scope of work outlining the anticipated costs associated with the proposed initiative, including staff expenses. Please include commentary that distinguishes which components of the initiative are new, and those that are ongoing. 

Application

The application will include:

• An executive summary.

• A narrative portion that provides details about the proposed initiative, including its importance to the organization and the field, how the initiative can demonstrate impact through its data collection, essential partnerships, and timeline. 

• A financial section that includes an initiative budget, two years of organizational budgets, and audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year. 

• If lobbying is part of the initiative, an allocated budget must be presented with lobbying and non-lobbying activities.

Selection Criteria

• Advocacy is central to the submission.

• Policy-focused efforts support music and the arts.

• The initiative is well-aligned with the organization’s other programs. 

• The initiative is well-structured and thoughtful planning is evident. 

• The organization demonstrates field-wide understanding as to why this advocacy initiative is needed, and how it has the potential to impact policy.

• The timeline for activities and details regarding participants clearly demonstrate how programming supports the organization’s advocacy goals.

• The organization demonstrates capacity to collect relevant data around the initiative’s impact.

• The organization’s commitment to inclusive practices that promote equitable access to the arts is evident.

• The organization’s selected partners demonstrate an understanding about the complexities of the initiative’s efforts.

• The organization’s budgets reflect financial stability.

• For membership organizations,

•  the advocacy initiative reflects the needs and interests of its members, and indicates how the organization seeks input from its membership and;

• has advocacy programming supported by either a dedicated staff member or supported by the organization’s strategic plans.

• Submitted materials fulfill all the requirements. 

• Advocacy organizations, whose full programming is focused on pro-arts advocacy, will receive funding priority.