Grant Opportunities for Music Therapy

By: Meredith Roman Pizzi, MT-BC

This fall there is a flurry of activity as school teachers and parents seek out grant funding for their students to receive music therapy services. I wanted to share a few links here for resources to look for music therapy services and also to support when you are looking for charitable organizations and non-profits to support.

Kate’s Voice: www.katesvoice.org
This foundation, created by parents of a daughter who has benefited from music therapy in her classroom, raises funds to support music therapy every other week in 15+ schools around eastern Massachusetts. Grant applications are submitted by classroom teachers at the beginning of each school year.

Raising the Blues:www.raisingtheblues.org
“Raising the Blued, Ltd. is a 501©3 non-profit charitable organization dedicated to bringing music to children undergoing medical treatment or recovery, and children with physical, emotional, or educational challenges.” One of their initiatives is to Provide Music Therapy by certified Music Therapists. “Music Therapy is an increasingly recognized intervention for children with medical, physical, emotional, or educational challenges. In connection with this initiative, we seek to raise funds to utilize certified music therapist to provide therapeutic services.

Music Drives Us: www.musicdrivesus.com
The Music Drives Us Foundation is committed to preserving Music Education, Preservation and Awareness throughout New England. The Foundation supports organizations and individuals who are interested in using music as a tool for all segments of society and for all ages. This organization has funded music therapy programs in the past and looks for collaborative programs that are looking for some donated funds to combine with in kind funds (ie PAC group.) Look under Grants and Organizational Grant.

Massachusetts Cultural Council: http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/
Each town has its own Cultural Council to distribute state and federal funds for the arts and culture in their community. To contact your town’s Local Cultural Council search for your town at http://www.mass-culture.org/lcccontact.asp

Local Civic Organizations
Contact the Civic Organizations in your community and ask if they have funding available to support specialized music therapy programming for your child or students. Ask what their process is for providing funding for such opportunities. Ask if they are able to offer scholarships for children to receive services such as these. If it doesn’t exist, would they like to work with you to create one? Common civic organizations include:

Kiwanis Club
Rotary Club
Lions Club
Knights of Columbus
Zonta
Local Business Organizations

And remember, it’s all about the music and your child or students. Share with others what a difference music makes for the child or children you care about, and you will be sure to find supporters.

Music does make a difference!