Music
/Philanthropic giving for music is modest compared to other areas of philanthropy, and the main beneficiaries tend to be opera companies and orchestras in big cities. From choral groups to music education nonprofits, there are many musical organizations operating on tiny budgets that could benefit from greater philanthropic support. Given the relative lack of institutional funding for music, individual donors — often passionate music lovers — are especially important in this field. This brief offers advice about how donors can make a difference in this area. It highlights the leading philanthropic strategies and offers guidance for how donors new to this space can get started with their giving.
Strategies for Impact
Nonprofits are engaged in a range of efforts related to music. Below, we discuss areas where donors might focus their funding and spotlight several organizations that represent the kind of nonprofits that donors might consider supporting.
Think beyond big cities. Small and mid-sized musical organizations don’t always have the established and robust funding base, let alone the large endowments, of their big-city counterparts. Organizations like American Composers Forum, Chamber Music America, Chorus America, Early Music America, Folk Alliance International, New Music USA, Opera America and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre support musical organizations across the country, including through regranting funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, South Arts supports artists and community organizations to increase access to arts and culture in communities across the U.S. South. Their Jazz Road initiative makes grants to jazz artists from anywhere in the country to take their music to new places. If there is a musical group or organization in a smaller city or town that’s important to you, that’s a great place to make a contribution.
Support music education. Music education is perpetually underfunded, even while many agree that all children should have access to quality music education and programming. The Children’s Music Workshop provides music education to Los Angeles elementary schools, among other programs. The Lewis Prize for Music supports nonprofits around the country that provide high-quality music education after school and outside of schools; recent recipients include Louisville, Kentucky’s Hip Hop Based Education, Honolulu’s Mana Maoli and the Memphis Music Initiative.
Focus on audience-engagement efforts. While opera companies and classical music orchestras have long received the lion’s share of philanthropy for music, these institutions are also facing a real concern that the next generation may have different interests and funding priorities. Efforts are underway to reach wider, younger, and more diverse audiences. Mindful Music Moments, for example, brings classical music into schools around the country.
Consider nontraditional approaches. Music funders have mostly funded traditional music organizations. But there are also opportunities to fund organizations that connect music to other issues you care about. For example, the New York-based program Hip Hop Public Health engages the power of music to improve health in underserved communities. Project: Music Heals Us presents concerts and workshops in hospitals, hospice centers, prisons, homeless shelters, refugee center, and other spaces, and offers music courses in prisons and jails. The New York City-based The Dream Unfinished is an activist orchestra that explores social issues through classical music.
Insights and Advice
In considering which impact strategies to support, donors should take into account their personal interests and outlook to find the best fit. They should also keep an eye out for emerging opportunities to give with maximum impact for music. Here, we offer a few insights and suggestions:
Don’t go it alone. Intermediaries and philanthropy-serving organizations can do a huge amount of the leg work of identifying opportunities in the field, and getting involved with one of these groups is a great way for donors to save time and give more effectively. Relevant groups include Grantmakers in the Arts, Americans for the Arts, SMU Data Arts, and the We Are All Music Foundation.
Center diversity, equity and inclusion in the field of music. There are many ways for donors to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in music. The Sphinx Organization, for example, is focused on increasing the representation of Black and Latinx artists in classical music. One of the best ways to address disparities in the music field is to prioritize funding BIPOC- and woman-led music organizations.
For Donors Getting Started
Donors who are new to this space should take the time to learn about the landscape. A good place to start is by reading IP’s State of American Philanthropy report on Giving for Music. In addition, peruse recent articles that IP has published about current events in this area of philanthropy. Many of the groups mentioned above also offer research, articles and more to deepen donors’ understanding in this area, including Grantmakers in the Arts, Americans for the Arts, and SMU Data Arts.
To find more local nonprofit music organizations that are well respected, Charity Navigator is a reputable place to search for worthy organizations around the country.
But the best way to get started giving for music is to make some initial gifts, get to know the work of the groups you’re supporting, and connect early with a funding intermediary that can help you learn more about this giving area and increase your giving in a thoughtful way.
Have suggestions for improving this brief? Please email us at editor@insidephilanthropy.com.
