ACM Lifting Lives Grant

The ACM Lifting Lives Grant is a philanthropic funding initiative administered by ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable partner of the Academy of Country Music. The organization is dedicated to improving lives through the power of music by mobilizing resources and support from within the country music industry. As it marks its twentieth anniversary, the grant cycle emphasizes a continued commitment to health and wellness through music-based interventions, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations. The program reflects the organization’s mission to provide meaningful aid by supporting nonprofit organizations that integrate music into therapeutic contexts. The primary purpose of the 2026 grant cycle is to fund innovative music therapy programs that produce measurable improvements in mental, physical, and emotional health outcomes. The initiative prioritizes programs that expand access to therapeutic services for individuals in need, including those in clinical environments, educational settings, and specialized communities. The funding scope includes support for clinical music therapy programs operating in hospitals, hospices, and care-centered environments, as well as therapeutic interventions that use music as an alternative behavioral approach in schools or among targeted groups such as veterans and military personnel. Additionally, the program includes a focus on mental health services for professionals within the music industry, including touring personnel and songwriters. Grant funds may be used to support programmatic expenses directly tied to music therapy initiatives. However, certain uses are explicitly prohibited, including music education programs, fundraising activities, lobbying efforts, capital campaigns, endowment contributions, and debt retirement. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how funds will directly contribute to therapeutic outcomes rather than general organizational support or unrelated programming. While no matching requirement is specified, applicants must provide a detailed project budget outlining the allocation of funds. Eligibility is limited to qualified nonprofit organizations that are recognized as 501(c)(3) public charities and are in good standing within the United States. This geographic requirement implies a nationwide scope, allowing eligible organizations from any U.S. state or territory to apply. The program does not indicate eligibility for individuals, for-profit entities, or other nonprofit classifications such as 501(c)(4) or (c)(6) organizations. There is no mention of fiscal sponsorship arrangements, suggesting that only directly eligible entities may apply. The application process opens on July 1, 2026, and closes on August 7, 2026. Applications must be submitted through an online portal accessible via the ACM Lifting Lives website. Required components include a complete application form, a detailed project budget, and clearly defined, measurable outcomes that demonstrate the anticipated impact of the proposed program. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, indicating a strict compliance requirement for submission completeness. No pre-application or letter of intent phase is specified. Applications are expected to be evaluated based on alignment with funding priorities, clarity of therapeutic impact, feasibility of implementation, and the strength of measurable outcomes. While specific scoring criteria are not provided, emphasis is placed on innovation and the ability to deliver meaningful health improvements through music therapy. Award amounts range from approximately 5,000 to 20,000 dollars, suggesting a competitive but accessible funding level for small to mid-sized nonprofit programs. The grant cycle appears to be recurring on an annual basis, given its designation as a yearly funding cycle and the structured application window. Although specific award notification timelines and performance periods are not detailed, applicants can reasonably expect a review process following the August deadline, with funding likely distributed within the same fiscal year. No direct contact information is provided in the source material, and applicants are directed to the official website for access to the application portal and additional updates.

Ensure outcomes are clearly measurable and tied to therapeutic impact; submit complete applications only as incomplete submissions are not reviewed