Now in its 18th year, the Musical Grant Program remains steadfast in its mission to promote the production and presentation of small ensemble music, including live performances, professional recordings, new work commissions for small ensembles, and multidisciplinary collaborations. The grant is open to Bay Area-based individuals, and arts and culture organizations, and welcomes emerging and established music-makers to apply.
Musical Grant Program 2026 Application Cycle
Application Opens: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, March 20, 2026, 11:59 PM PDT
Panel Review: April 2026
Funding Notification: May 2026
Receipt of Funds: June 2026
Grant Activity Period: July 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027
Final Report Deadline: January 31, 2028
MGP WORKSHOPs + INFO SESSIONs
Technical Assistance Workshop: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 7 PM PST
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM PST
Location: 135 Main Street, SF + Online via Zoom
Registration for the MGP workshop will be available soon!
ATTENTION
There have been changes to the 2026 application and guidelines.
First-time and returning applicants are encouraged to attend the informational workshop for guidance on the application process, the 2026 integration of The Common App tool, and a chance to ask InterMusic SF staff general questions about the grant.
Register to attend in-person or via Zoom.
Eligibility
MGP
Overview
The Musical Grant Program is an annual funding opportunity open to Bay Area-based individuals, artistic entities, and arts and culture organizations seeking funding for presenting or producing small ensemble music projects.
Please see the eligibility requirements below for more details.
annual grant awards
Annual grant awards are made in the range of $2,000-$4,000.
The MGP aims to promote musical activities through the support of small ensembles, instrumental and vocal performers, composers, concert presenters, arts and culture organizations, and artistic collaborations. The grant is open to projects that involve the participation of at least one small ensemble*.
*InterMusic SF defines a small ensemble as one or more musical performers, instrumentalists, and/or vocalists. Ensembles should not exceed 25 members.
are you eligible?
Eligible Applicants
- Small Ensembles
- Guest Artist(s) + Small Ensemble Collaborations
- Composer + Small Ensemble Collaborations
- Concert and/or Festival Presenters Featuring Small Ensembles
- Arts & Culture Organizations
Eligible Applicants Details
Small Ensembles
- Ensemble of 1-25 instrumental and/or vocal members
- Ensemble with consistent membership and collective history of public performance
- Ensemble created for a specific performance project and each individual member demonstrates a history of public performance
Guest Artist(s)
Instrumentalist, vocalist, multimedia artist, or artist from another discipline that does not reside in one of the nine eligible Bay Area counties, in collaboration with an eligible small ensemble
Composers
- Composer in collaboration with an eligible small ensemble;
- Composer AND performing member of collaborating eligible small ensemble;
Concert and/or Festival Presenters
- Presenter of an ongoing concert series with a history of presenting music performances to the public in collaboration with an eligible small ensemble
- Presenter of a short-duration festival, with a history of presenting music performances to the public in collaboration with an eligible small ensemble
Arts & Culture Organizations
- Organization with or without nonprofit tax-exempt status
- Organization that promotes the creation and presentation of small ensemble music through program initiatives
Applicant Exclusions
- The MGP does not provide consecutive years of funding. (i.e., 2025 MGP awardees* are NOT eligible to apply in the 2026 MGP application cycle.)
- Awardees of MGP cycles prior to 2025 (2024 and earlier) are eligible to apply in the 2026 grant cycle ONLY if all final grant reports for MGP awards have been submitted by February 5, 2026.
- Organizations / Individual Artists can only submit one application per cycle.
*This restriction DOES NOT apply to 2025 Project Partners.
Geographical Requirements
Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years of age
Be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident
Reside and present the project in one of the following nine Greater San Francisco Bay Area counties:
Alameda
Contra Costa
Marin
Napa
San Francisco
San Mateo
Santa Clara
Solano
Sonoma
Annual operational budget of under $150,000
what we fund
Eligible Projects
- Live performances and concerts
- Commissions of new work
- Professional studio recordings
- Presentation of short-duration festivals
what we don't fund
- Entire seasons of concerts
- Events and activities closed to the general public (e.g., educational outreach at schools, etc.)
- General operating expenses
- Fundraising activities
- Purchasing of equipment
- Debt reduction
1: ELIGIBILITY
All applicants should thoroughly review the eligibility requirements and application guidelines provided BEFORE preparing an application.
2: Application Templates
MGP APPLICATION OVERVIEW
Applicants are encouraged to download an MGP application (Common App) template and draft responses before completing the proposal on the application platform, Award Force.
MGP + COMMON APP TEMPLATES
MGP + THE COMMON APP
The Musical Grant Program application is integrated with the Common Application for the Arts and may be used in completing this application. The Common App is a tool created in 2023 by a consortium of Bay Area grantmakers to streamline the application process and save grantseeking artists and arts and culture organizations time and resources.
The Common App is meant to be completed first and then used to populate applications of Bay Area funders currently integrating this tool. The 2025 MGP application integrates roughly 90% of the questions found on the Common App.
The Common App is meant to be completed first and then used to populate applications of Bay Area funders currently integrating this tool. The 2025 MGP application integrates roughly 90% of the questions found on the Common App.
Steps to using the common app template tool
- Download the template using the link above
- Enter your responses to the questions.
- Go to the individual grantmakers’ website to access their grant application platform and copy + paste your responses into the corresponding questions of their application forms, ahead of their upcoming grant deadlines.
- Submit your proposals to individual funders as grant cycles open.
PLEASE NOTE: Submissions of the Common App will NOT be considered for MGP funding. You must submit your MGP application via Award Force.
To learn more about The Common App, and how to use it when applying for upcoming grants, visit commonappartsbayarea.org.
grantmakers utilizing the common app
3: Submit your proposal on award force
how to submit your application
If you are using a template to complete your proposal, you will still need to submit your application using Award Force.
We do not accept Word and/or PDF submissions. You must submit your application via Award Force.
Submit Your Proposal on Award Force Following these steps:
- Navigate to https://intermusicsfsubmissionportal.awardsplatform.com/
- Register or sign-in if you already have an account through another funder
- Complete all required fields
- Upload your project budget sheet as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlsx are accepted)
- Submit links to your work samples and/or upload media files following the work sample guidelines. Be sure to name all files clearly, including applicant name, work sample number, and additional details as necessary
- Save your progress to return to your work at a later time
- Submit your proposal once complete
- You will receive confirmation of your submission and a copy of your proposal, as we have received it.
Contact Mark Clifford at mark@intermusicsf.org if you experience any technical difficulties.
PLEASE NOTE
As we approach the deadline (March 24, 2025) and applicant activity increases, our capacity to answer inquiries will diminish. Please submit your proposal as soon as possible to ensure our team can provide any assistance needed in a timely manner.
4: video resources
MGP workshop + info session
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: 135 Main Street, SF + Online via Zoom
JANUARY 2025 - THE COMMON APP - QUICK-GUIDE
The Common App for the Arts Quick-Guide:
Technical Assistance for Using the Common App + Navigating Digital Workspaces with Margot Melcon of Zellerbach Family Foundation + Crystal Pascucci-Clifford of InterMusic SF
APRIL 2024 - USING THE COMMON APP - WORKSHOP
InterMusic SF Professional Development Workshop Series 2024:
An Introduction to The Common App for the Arts with Margot Melcon of Zellerbach Family Foundation + David Blazevich of
Fleishhacker Foundation
5: Application Guidelines
PART 1: ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL ARTIST INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION VS. INDIVIDUAL ARTIST
In the performing arts, we understand that most projects are inherently collaborative. While most artistic entities can be described as organizations, we realize there are cases where an applicant may want to center their personal work in providing details about artistic merit, capacity, and process.
When choosing to apply as an ‘organization’ or as an ‘individual artist,’ we encourage you to consider the following:
- In regards to your artistic and executive teams, are you the sole decision-maker/producer, or do you share core leadership roles
with others? If you, the applicant, are the main producer of the project (i.e., are responsible for all executive leadership roles) and are the sole artistic director, then you may consider applying as an individual artist. - As an ‘individual artist,’ you will provide narrative responses about your artistic contributions across the artistic ecosystem,
describe your artistic bio and achievements, and provide information on the team you intend on collaborating with for your proposed project. - As an ‘organization,’ you will provide narrative responses about your artistic entities’ artistic contributions, the collectives’ bio and achievements, and provide information on any other leadership and/or community partners that will be involved in your proposed project.
This distinction is a matter of the applicant’s discretion. You should choose the option that best suits your particular position within your artistic collaboration and proposed project.
Eligibility
MISSION STATEMENT / ARTIST STATEMENT
- Share the core motivational element(s) that drive your musical activities.
- Competitive applicants will strongly align with the Musical Grant Program’s mission to promote the production and presentation of small ensemble music, including live performances, professional recordings, new work commissions for small ensembles, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
HISTORY + PROGRAMS / ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ORGANIZATIONS:
INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS:
- Share a brief history of your organization’s / ensemble’s founding, shared values, expertise of leadership / members.
- Share details of significant past events, performances, and programming that demonstrate your level of artistic expertise and capacity to produce the proposed project.
INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS:
- Share your key achievements and accolades as a list or narrative, like a standard artist bio. You will also have the opportunity to submit an Artist CV as a separate file. If you would like to default to only submitting your Artist CV, simply respond to this prompt with “See submitted Artist CV.”
- A strong applicant will:
- demonstrate a compelling history of significant musical activity (e.g., performances, commissions, major collaborations, career highlights, formal recognition or awards, festival appearances, concert presentation of past and/or upcoming programming, organizational programming, etc.)
- demonstrate expertise or strong capacity to fill designated roles within the project.
- show capacity to successfully complete the project as outlined.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Share who you engage with, communities you are rooted in and identify with, and serve. This is where you can share your commitments to serving Bay Area communities and why and how your artistic contributions function in those partnerships.
PART 2: Project Proposal
TIMELINE
- Outline a plan for the proposed project production. This can include artistic activities: rehearsals, workshops, recording dates, etc.; production activities: engagement with collaborating artists, venues, contractors (e.g., graphic designers, audio engineers); key marketing announcements; fundraising activities.
- Strong proposals will include reasonable time frames with regard to scope and capacity.
Art-space partners
- Share who your venue / workspace partners are, and if they are long-standing include that info, too.
- Strong proposals involve and acknowledge multiple collaborations with members of the musical ecosystem and provide increased engagement / opportunities for compensated artist labor, community-wide.
Project Overview
- In the clearest way possible, provide a high-level summary of your project that is driven by a list or brief description of activities. SEE EXAMPLE BELOW
- Your narrative does not need to be a list, but clarity is necessary for our panel to know how the funds will be used.
EXAMPLE:
“Funding provided by the Musical Grant Program will go to support:
- [Ensemble name]’s commissioning of [Composer] to write one, three-movement piece.
- Rehearsals and development of the work over a three-month period in collaboration with the composer.
- A world-premiere of the composition, as a part of a full concert program at [Venue] in December 2025.”
PLEASE NOTE: If you have a date range in mind, but it’s not certain, please include your projection (e.g. Fall 2025). This applies to venue info as well.
Narrative
- Once you have clearly defined the project, please provide details on your vision and reasons for undertaking the project at this time.
Project partners + collaborators
- This section of the 2025 Musical Grant Program application is updated.
- We no longer require project partners to join as secondary applicants on
MGP applications. - For the 2025 MGP, each application has ONE applicant.
- If your project includes a significant artistic partnership or collaboration with an artist, ensemble,
organization, etc., this is where you highlight the significance of their work, expertise, and role
in your proposed project.
promotion
- Share a detailed promotional plan and/or schedule.
- A strong proposal will include a promotional plan that
- supports successful project completion;
- provides a history of successful publicity campaigns and/or measures of success.
audience
- If you are intending to engage and/or serve a distinct community, share how your publicity, marketing, and promotional efforts demonstrate the ability to reach the intended audience.
PART 3: BUDGET + FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- Show all income sources, including personal donations to your own project and in-kind donations of skilled labor.
- Show all direct project expenses.
- Be sure your expenses match the activities outlined in your project narrative.
- A strong budget plan will include sufficient secured / pending financial resources to successfully complete the project.
PART 4: WORK SAMPLES
- Please provide up to 3 work samples.
- Your submitted audio/visual materials should not exceed 5 minutes.
- VERY IMPORTANT! Include timestamps/cues if you would like only a portion of the submitted material reviewed.
- Use the prompt to describe how the sample relates to your proposal and anything you would like the reviewers to know about the sample.
tips FOR PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
- Download the MGP application and/or Common App template file and complete your narrative responses using a word processor app (like Google Docs)
- Attend the MGP Workshop + Info Session on March 6
- Build your project budget and be sure it’s balanced (i.e., your income is = to your expenses)
- Gather high-quality work samples that best represent your proposed project
- Create your Award Force account, the application submission platform
- Leave plenty of time to submit your materials, in case you encounter technical difficulties
6: Final grant reports
2024 MGP AWARDED PROJECTS
FINAL REPORT DEADLINE: January 31, 2026
2025 MGP AWARDED PROJECTS
FINAL REPORT DEADLINE: January 31, 2027
MGP FINAL REPORT TEMPLATE
To review the final report questions in advance, please reference the Sample MGP Final Grant Report .
Panel Composition
An independent panel of four Bay Area-based artists, of diverse cultural backgrounds and areas of musical expertise, will review the 2025 Musical Grant Program applications. Their identities will remain anonymous. The decisions of the panel are final. Below is the criteria the panelists will use to evaluate your project.
scoring rubric
Coming soon!
Panelist Feedback
If you would like more information regarding the 2025 MGP cycle panel results, please email [email protected].
FAQ
Is 501(c)(3) status required for eligible applicants?
No. 501(c)(3) status is not required to apply.
Are applicants required to have fiscal sponsorship to apply?
No. Fiscal sponsorship is not required to apply.
I am a member of several ensembles. Can I be included in more than one application?
Individuals can be included in more than one application; however, they can only serve as the main contact for ONE application per cycle. Be sure to thoroughly review the eligibility requirements before beginning your application.
I would like to apply for funding to support a commission. I am the composer for an ensemble that I also perform in. Which type of application proposal should I submit?
This is up to you! There are no criteria to meet in order to apply as an organization or as an individual. It’s your choice how you would like to frame your mission / history / accomplishments.
Are educational institutions eligible to apply as lead applicants or project partners?
Yes. If the educational institution meets all eligibility requirements and the project includes publicly accessible programming, then the institution would be eligible to apply.
If I’m proposing a project that collaborates with a recent MGP recipient, can I include them in a 2025 MGP application?
Yes. There is only ONE applicant per proposal. We do not monitor project partners or bar them from being included in consecutive years’ applications, even if awarded in the previous year.
If I’ve received an MGP grant in 2024, can I apply for the 2025 MGP grant cycle?
No. Awarded applicants cannot apply for consecutive years of funding. All previous awardees of MGP cycles 2023 and earlier, are eligible to apply for the 2025 MGP grant cycle IF they have completed their project and submitted a Final Grant Report on or before February 5, 2025.
I do not reside in one of the nine eligible counties listed in the eligibility guidelines, but my project will take place in one of the counties listed. Am I eligible to apply for the Musical Grant Program?
No. Applicants must reside and present their projects in one of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area counties listed in the guidelines to be eligible to apply. If there are special circumstances that you believe would affect your eligibility, please contact [email protected] prior to completing an application.
I’m a member of a small ensemble producing a concert in the Bay Area. We want to include a guest musician. All of the core members of our ensemble all live and present work in eligible Bay Area counties, but our guest musician does not. Are we still eligible to apply to the MGP?
Yes, an application may include guest artists or substitute players from outside the nine counties listed in the eligibility guidelines. Please Note: Eligible projects must take place in one of the nine counties listed.
How many guest musicians from outside the Bay Area can I include in my application?
- the majority (51% or more) of artists included in the project reside and present work in one or more of the nine eligible counties;
- the project budget identifies sources of funding that are only available for out-of-town guest artist related expenses;
- The applicant can demonstrate that the inclusion of the guest artist will benefit local musicians and audiences.
I’m not sure how to answer the different sections of the Artist Overview portion of the proposal. Can you provide any additional guidance on how to frame my answers?
Mission / Artist Statement: WHY do you engage in musical activity in the Bay Area?
Artist History: HOW does your history demonstrate a commitment to fulfilling your mission?
Artist Bio: Include a list or narrative of key achievements / accolades (submitting your CV is OK!)
If I am including an audio/video compositional work sample, do I also need to include the score for the work?
No. It is not required to include a score, but it is highly encouraged to do so. Scores should only be included when they correlate to audio/video samples provided.
How many grants are awarded each cycle?
The number of grants awarded in any given cycle will depend on the number of applications received, as well as available funding support for the Musical Grant Program from local government sources, corporations, private foundations, and individual donors. We anticipate awarding 20-22 grants for the upcoming 2025 cycle.
Where can I view previously awarded projects?
1: Eligibility
All applicants should thoroughly review the eligibility requirements and application guidelines provided BEFORE preparing an application.
2: Application Templates
MGP APPLICATION OVERVIEW
Applicants are encouraged to download an MGP application (Common App) template and draft responses before completing the proposal on the application platform, Award Force.
MGP + COMMON APP TEMPLATES
MGP + THE COMMON APP
The Musical Grant Program application is integrated with the Common Application for the Arts and may be used in completing this application. The Common App is a tool created in 2023 by a consortium of Bay Area grantmakers to streamline the application process and save grantseeking artists and arts and culture organizations time and resources.
The Common App is meant to be completed first and then used to populate applications of Bay Area funders currently integrating this tool. The 2025 MGP application integrates roughly 90% of the questions found on the Common App.
The Common App is meant to be completed first and then used to populate applications of Bay Area funders currently integrating this tool. The 2025 MGP application integrates roughly 90% of the questions found on the Common App.
Steps to using the common app template tool
- Download the template using the link above
- Enter your responses to the questions.
- Go to the individual grantmakers’ website to access their grant application platform and copy + paste your responses into the corresponding questions of their application forms, ahead of their upcoming grant deadlines.
- Submit your proposals to individual funders as grant cycles open.
PLEASE NOTE: Submissions of the Common App will NOT be considered for MGP funding. You must submit your MGP application via Award Force.
To learn more about The Common App, and how to use it when applying for upcoming grants, visit commonappartsbayarea.org.
grantmakers utilizing the common app
3: Submit your proposal on award force
how to submit your application
If you are using a template to complete your proposal, you will still need to submit your application using Award Force.
We do not accept Word and/or PDF submissions. You must submit your application via Award Force.
Submit Your Proposal on Award Force Following these steps:
- Navigate to https://intermusicsfsubmissionportal.awardsplatform.com/
- Register or sign-in if you already have an account through another funder
- Complete all required fields
- Upload your project budget sheet as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlsx are accepted)
- Submit links to your work samples and/or upload media files following the work sample guidelines. Be sure to name all files clearly, including applicant name, work sample number, and additional details as necessary
- Save your progress to return to your work at a later time
- Submit your proposal once complete
- You will receive confirmation of your submission and a copy of your proposal, as we have received it.
Contact Mark Clifford at mark@intermusicsf.org if you experience any technical difficulties.
PLEASE NOTE
As we approach the deadline (March 24, 2025) and applicant activity increases, our capacity to answer inquiries will diminish. Please submit your proposal as soon as possible to ensure our team can provide any assistance needed in a timely manner.
4: Video Resources
MGP workshop + info session
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: 135 Main Street, SF + Online via Zoom
JANUARY 2025 - THE COMMON APP - QUICK-GUIDE
The Common App for the Arts Quick-Guide:
Technical Assistance for Using the Common App + Navigating Digital Workspaces with Margot Melcon of Zellerbach Family Foundation + Crystal Pascucci-Clifford of InterMusic SF
APRIL 2024 - USING THE COMMON APP - WORKSHOP
InterMusic SF Professional Development Workshop Series 2024:
An Introduction to The Common App for the Arts with Margot Melcon of Zellerbach Family Foundation + David Blazevich of
Fleishhacker Foundation
5: Application Guidelines
PART 1: ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL ARTIST INFORMATION
ORGANIZATION VS. INDIVIDUAL ARTIST
In the performing arts, we understand that most projects are inherently collaborative. While most artistic entities can be described as organizations, we realize there are cases where an applicant may want to center their personal work in providing details about artistic merit, capacity, and process.
When choosing to apply as an ‘organization’ or as an ‘individual artist,’ we encourage you to consider the following:
- In regards to your artistic and executive teams, are you the sole decision-maker/producer, or do you share core leadership roles
with others? If you, the applicant, are the main producer of the project (i.e., are responsible for all executive leadership roles) and are the sole artistic director, then you may consider applying as an individual artist. - As an ‘individual artist,’ you will provide narrative responses about your artistic contributions across the artistic ecosystem,
describe your artistic bio and achievements, and provide information on the team you intend on collaborating with for your proposed project. - As an ‘organization,’ you will provide narrative responses about your artistic entities’ artistic contributions, the collectives’ bio and achievements, and provide information on any other leadership and/or community partners that will be involved in your proposed project.
This distinction is a matter of the applicant’s discretion. You should choose the option that best suits your particular position within your artistic collaboration and proposed project.
Eligibility
MISSION STATEMENT / ARTIST STATEMENT
- Share the core motivational element(s) that drive your musical activities.
- Competitive applicants will strongly align with the Musical Grant Program’s mission to promote the production and presentation of small ensemble music, including live performances, professional recordings, new work commissions for small ensembles, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
HISTORY + PROGRAMS / ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ORGANIZATIONS:
INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS:
- Share a brief history of your organization’s / ensemble’s founding, shared values, expertise of leadership / members.
- Share details of significant past events, performances, and programming that demonstrate your level of artistic expertise and capacity to produce the proposed project.
INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS:
- Share your key achievements and accolades as a list or narrative, like a standard artist bio. You will also have the opportunity to submit an Artist CV as a separate file. If you would like to default to only submitting your Artist CV, simply respond to this prompt with “See submitted Artist CV.”
- A strong applicant will:
- demonstrate a compelling history of significant musical activity (e.g., performances, commissions, major collaborations, career highlights, formal recognition or awards, festival appearances, concert presentation of past and/or upcoming programming, organizational programming, etc.)
- demonstrate expertise or strong capacity to fill designated roles within the project.
- show capacity to successfully complete the project as outlined.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Share who you engage with, communities you are rooted in and identify with, and serve. This is where you can share your commitments to serving Bay Area communities and why and how your artistic contributions function in those partnerships.
PART 2: Project Proposal
TIMELINE
- Outline a plan for the proposed project production. This can include artistic activities: rehearsals, workshops, recording dates, etc.; production activities: engagement with collaborating artists, venues, contractors (e.g., graphic designers, audio engineers); key marketing announcements; fundraising activities.
- Strong proposals will include reasonable time frames with regard to scope and capacity.
Art-space partners
- Share who your venue / workspace partners are, and if they are long-standing include that info, too.
- Strong proposals involve and acknowledge multiple collaborations with members of the musical ecosystem and provide increased engagement / opportunities for compensated artist labor, community-wide.
Project Overview
- In the clearest way possible, provide a high-level summary of your project that is driven by a list or brief description of activities. SEE EXAMPLE BELOW
- Your narrative does not need to be a list, but clarity is necessary for our panel to know how the funds will be used.
EXAMPLE:
“Funding provided by the Musical Grant Program will go to support:
- [Ensemble name]’s commissioning of [Composer] to write one, three-movement piece.
- Rehearsals and development of the work over a three-month period in collaboration with the composer.
- A world-premiere of the composition, as a part of a full concert program at [Venue] in December 2025.”
PLEASE NOTE: If you have a date range in mind, but it’s not certain, please include your projection (e.g. Fall 2025). This applies to venue info as well.
Narrative
- Once you have clearly defined the project, please provide details on your vision and reasons for undertaking the project at this time.
Project partners + collaborators
- This section of the 2025 Musical Grant Program application is updated.
- We no longer require project partners to join as secondary applicants on
MGP applications. - For the 2025 MGP, each application has ONE applicant.
- If your project includes a significant artistic partnership or collaboration with an artist, ensemble,
organization, etc., this is where you highlight the significance of their work, expertise, and role
in your proposed project.
promotion
- Share a detailed promotional plan and/or schedule.
- A strong proposal will include a promotional plan that
- supports successful project completion;
- provides a history of successful publicity campaigns and/or measures of success.
audience
- If you are intending to engage and/or serve a distinct community, share how your publicity, marketing, and promotional efforts demonstrate the ability to reach the intended audience.
PART 3: BUDGET + FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- Show all income sources, including personal donations to your own project and in-kind donations of skilled labor.
- Show all direct project expenses.
- Be sure your expenses match the activities outlined in your project narrative.
- A strong budget plan will include sufficient secured / pending financial resources to successfully complete the project.
PART 4: WORK SAMPLES
- Please provide up to 3 work samples.
- Your submitted audio/visual materials should not exceed 5 minutes.
- VERY IMPORTANT! Include timestamps/cues if you would like only a portion of the submitted material reviewed.
- Use the prompt to describe how the sample relates to your proposal and anything you would like the reviewers to know about the sample.
tips FOR PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
- Download the MGP application and/or Common App template file and complete your narrative responses using a word processor app (like Google Docs)
- Attend the MGP Workshop + Info Session on March 6
- Build your project budget and be sure it’s balanced (i.e., your income is = to your expenses)
- Gather high-quality work samples that best represent your proposed project
- Create your Award Force account, the application submission platform
- Leave plenty of time to submit your materials, in case you encounter technical difficulties
6. Final Grant Reports
2024 MGP AWARDED PROJECTS
FINAL REPORT DEADLINE: January 31, 2026
2025 MGP AWARDED PROJECTS
FINAL REPORT DEADLINE: January 31, 2027
MGP FINAL REPORT TEMPLATE
To review the final report questions in advance, please reference the Sample MGP Final Grant Report .
