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Public Outreach Grants provide funding for educational, outreach, and informational programming targeting a broad public audience. Eligibility is restricted to institutional members of the Coalition of Music Organizations. Eligible projects include public lectures, talks and seminars; historically-informed performances or performances including learned commentary or conversation; non-degree and continuing education courses, etc. Funding for this program comes in part from AMS general operating funds and funds raised in support of the Coalition of Music Organizations.
The goal of this program is to support and incentivize publicly-oriented music programming that informs and engages. The program was established in summer 2025 with the launching of the Coalition of Music Organizations. The Coalition of Music Organizations is a voluntary association of small to medium-sized music organizations, publishers, programs, and cultural institutions designed to provide access to small-grant funding ($1,000–$10,000), outreach support, and opportunities for cooperation and conversation. The Coalition of Music Organizations takes advantage of economies of scale and its members’ diverse organizational strengths to return benefits well in excess of the modest annual membership fee (which start at $475).
Eligibility & Deadlines
Eligibility is restricted to current institutional members of the Coalition of Music Organizations. Eligible applications up to $4000 will be considered. Organizations may apply for a Public Outreach Grant even if they have received one in the previous year, but preference will be given to applicants who have not recently received a grant.
Required Materials:
- Title of the project or initiative towards which the grant would be used.
- A proposal summary (maximum 150 words).
- A full proposal (maximum 500 words) describing the overall project or initiative that the organization would use this grant to fund, including how it advances the study, teaching, or performance of music by engaging the public.
- A list of personnel and key individuals (e.g., speakers, faculty, administrators, etc.) that will be involved in the project or initiative.
- A description of expenses summarizing how the grant would be used to fund the project or initiative (maximum 500 words).
- An itemized budget for the parts of the project towards which the grant would be applied.
Applications are due 15 April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as a performance involves some kind of informational or educational aspect intended to bring music performance and appreciation to a wider public. Examples of eligible performances include historically-informed performances and performances that include learned commentary or conversation. Examples of performances that would be ineligible for funding include regular orchestra performance series or other programs that are exclusively about performance.
Award decisions for all AMS programs are typically sent within two months of the application deadline, unless otherwise indicated.
Yes, if your organization received a Public Outreach Grant last year, you are eligible to apply again this year. However, preference will be given to applicants who have not recently received a grant.
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