Apply for a Grant

MHOF receives more than 900 applications each year. Although we would like to help all who apply, our resources are limited and the process is very competitive. Music programs serving low-income communities, programs with little or no budget for musical instruments and programs that serve the most students out of the school population are considered before all others. We encourage you to seek funding from several sources in your community.

The next application deadline is August 1, 2008. Applications submitted on or by this date will be notified of the results via letter no later than October 1, 2008 (please do not call for results).

Guidelines:

Melody Program helps K-12 school instrumental music programs that take place during the regular school day.

• Schools must have an established instrumental music program (i.e. concert band, marching band, jazz band and/or orchestra) that is at least three years old.
• Schools must apply separately (please provide information for the applying school only, do not include information for other schools within the district even if the music teacher teaches at more than one school.)
• Grants typically range from $500 - $8,000 worth of instruments.
• If your school offers Orff music only, it is NOT eligible to apply.

Special Projects Program helps after-school music programs.

• After-school music programs must be at least three years old OR have a music-related umbrella organization that is at least three years old to apply.
• Grants typically range from $500 - $8,000 worth of instruments.
• If any portion of your music program takes place during the regular school day, please use the Melody Program application.

Michael Kamen Solo Award helps outstanding student musicians enrolled in grades 8 - 12 who cannot afford to obtain an appropriate instrument.

• Students must have completed at least five years of study on their instrument to apply.
• Instruments with a retail value of up to $20,000 are awarded.

1. Until further notice, MHOF will not accept applications for this program.

 

Our program funds instrument repair and the acquisition of new instruments. We DO NOT give cash grants. Other exclusions are:

• Programs outside the United States
• Teacher salaries or music lessons
• Programs or individuals outside of our three programs
• Events, concerts, festivals