Festival Grants

The Levitt Foundation is offering grants to support free outdoor music festivals that create accessible arts experiences and foster community connections. With a mission to strengthen the social fabric of communities through music, the Foundation focuses on expanding access to live performances in inclusive public spaces. The program aligns with the Foundation’s belief in the transformative power of music and its ability to drive positive social and economic outcomes. For the 2026 festival cycle, eligible applicants include U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Groups without 501(c)(3) status may apply through a fiscal sponsor. Proposed festivals must take place outdoors in public spaces and be completely free to the public, with no admission tickets, donations, RSVPs, or registration required. This ensures accessibility regardless of socioeconomic status. Programming must feature professional musicians who are paid for their work, ensuring artistic excellence while supporting the broader live music ecosystem. Successful applications will describe how the festival is welcoming to people of all ages and backgrounds, and how it serves as a unique cultural offering within its community. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a track record of organizing community events and to outline the festival’s anticipated social or economic impact. The Foundation looks for proposals that blend musical excellence with broad community relevance. Applications must be submitted online via the Foundation’s application portal. The deadline for submission is 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT on Friday, January 30, 2026. Required components include responses to narrative questions and uploads such as the 501(c)(3) determination letter or fiscal sponsorship agreement, and 2–3 festival images with identifying information. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applicants can save progress in the online system and return to complete their submission later. Character count suggestions are provided for each narrative question, though applicants may write more or less as appropriate. A downloadable PDF version of the application is available for reference but submissions must be made through the online system. Grant recipients will be announced on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Demonstrate accessibility, social/economic impact, and uniqueness; emphasize community benefit and professional quality.