Levitt BLOC Music Series Grant

Levitt BLOC Music Series Grant is sponsored by Levitt Foundation. Levitt BLOC grants foster social cohesion and amplify community pride by featuring diverse lineups of acclaimed, emerging, and seasoned artists in free, outdoor, accessible music series. The program aims to activate underused public spaces.

Levitt Music Series - Levitt LEVITT EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES THROUGH MUSIC . Supporting 41 Communities In 2023–2025 Levitt Music Series Grants are an exciting multi-year matching grant program made possible by the Levitt Family Foundation, a national creative placemaking funder dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of America through the power of free, live music.

As a foundation committed to building community through music, Levitt Music Series Grants activate underused public spaces, ensure access to the arts and create welcoming gathering places that foster belonging and connections among people of all ages and backgrounds.

Levitt Music Series grantees are U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits that receive three-year matching grants of up to $40K per year, for a total grant award of up to $120K, to present 7-10 free concerts each year that inject new life into underused public spaces, creating joyous, inclusive community destinations in towns and cities of all sizes. Applications for the 2026-2028 grant cycle are now closed.

Out of over 300 proposals received, just over 100 nonprofits from across the country advanced to the public voting phase. Reflecting the Foundation’s commitment that all Levitt projects be community-driven, the top 50 finalists were selected through public voting in September 2025. From there, the Foundation reviewed all finalists and selected 26 nonprofits to receive Levitt Music Series Grants.

Through a partnership with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission , an additional six Levitt AMP grantees were selected from Tennessee. And through a partnership with the Mississippi Arts Commission combining a public art grant with a Levitt Music Series grant, two additional Levitt AMP grantees were selected from Mississippi. Check out this video from our 2025 call for Levitt Music Series grant applications.

How It Works Applications for Levitt Music Series Grants are currently closed. Click here for the next application timeline.

Nonprofits complete registration form to determine which grant type (AMP, VIBE or BLOC) is the right fit for their community Once grant type is determined, nonprofits complete an online grant application (a nonprofit may submit only one application for a Levitt Music Series grant) The Foundation reviews all submitted applications; selected proposals advance to the public voting period and receive a mini grant of $1,500 and Levitt Voting Toolkit to support their efforts Finalists determined by public voting The Foundation reviews and determines which nonprofits will receive Levitt Music Series Grants Grants are awarded to selected U.S.-based nonprofits Each grantee receives a three-year matching grant of up to $40K/year for three years (2026, 2027, 2028) to present a Levitt Music Series of 7-10 free outdoor concerts each year Recognizing that Levitt concerts take place in all parts of the country, Levitt Music Series may take place between April 1-October 31 of each year.

The frequency of concerts may be weekly, split into two seasons (for example, spring season/fall season), or every other week Each Levitt Music Series features a musically diverse lineup of high-caliber talent Grantees attend a Levitt Music Series Learning Conference in Los Angeles (expenses covered by Foundation) to explore best practices, exchange ideas and develop peer-to-peer connections What Makes A Compelling Proposal?

Levitt concerts are intended to create inclusive experiences, where all members of the community are welcome to participate in the joy of free, live music. The most compelling proposals will convey the following: The public space where the free concert series is to be presented is easily accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic circumstances.

The public space is underused and activation of the space will create dynamic social and economic impact. A programming philosophy that is inclusive, family-friendly and represents a wide range of music genres. A proven track record of presenting professional quality concerts or community events or partnering with an individual or organization that has done so.

Partnerships with other organizations to broaden reach and deepen impact of the music series. Eligibility Criteria for all applicants Applicant must be a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the same town, city, or county of the proposed music series. The proposed music series must be free to the public.

The proposed public space where the free concerts would be presented must be outdoors, easily accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic circumstances, and have a lawn-like setting with no fixed seating. The proposed public space is underused and activation of the space would create dynamic social and economic impact.

A programming philosophy that is inclusive of all members of the community, is family-friendly, and represents a diverse range of music genres. A proven track record of presenting quality concerts or community events or partnering with an individual or organization that has done so. On an annual basis, applicant must meet the matching funds requirement.

The proposed public space cannot be located in the same town or city as an existing Levitt Music Series (not applicable to Chicago or Los Angeles). Please visit our Locations page for current grantees.

If an existing Levitt Music Series is located in an applicant’s state or region, the proposed public space must be located a minimum of 50 miles or more from an existing Levitt Music Series (not applicable to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Philadelphia). Please visit our Locations page for current grantees.

If an existing Levitt venue is, or will be, located in an applicant’s state or region, the proposed public space must be located a minimum of 75 miles or more from the existing or developing Levitt venue. Existing Levitt venues may be found on our Locations page. Cities where Levitt venues are in development include Houston, New Orleans, and San Jose.

Please note: this radius exclusion does not apply to organizations located in Philadelphia or Los Angeles, within the Los Angeles metro area, or Southern California. For questions regarding the eligibility criteria, please send an email to grants@levitt. org .

If applying to Levitt AMP All proposed Levitt AMP Music Series must take place in small to mid-sized towns and cities within the United States and its territories with a population of up to 250,000 people and may be located within a metropolitan area with a population of no more than 1,000,000.

For towns or cities located within a metropolitan area with a population of more than 1,000,000, the town or city must be at least 20 miles from the anchor city of the metropolitan area.

Towns or cities with a population of less than 250,000 people within a metropolitan area with a population of more than 1,000,000 and are within 20 miles of the anchor city of the metropolitan area are eligible to apply for a Levitt VIBE Music Series grant.

If applying to Levitt VIBE All proposed Levitt VIBE Music Series must take place in cities within the United States and its territories with a population of more than 250,000 people or in a metropolitan area with a population of more than 1,000,000.

For towns or cities with a population of less than 250,000 people within a metropolitan area with a population of more than 1,000,000, the town or city must be within 20 miles of the anchor city of the metropolitan area. Multiple proposals from different nonprofit organizations for different public spaces are eligible in the following cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio.

The radius exclusions of 50 miles from an existing Levitt Music Series and 75 miles from a Levitt venue do not apply to these cities. If applying to Levitt BLOC All proposed Levitt BLOC Music Series must take place in towns and cities within the United States and its territories. There is no population minimum or maximum requirement.

There must be a minimum of four different proposed public spaces for the series, all of which must be in the same town, city or county. Multiple proposals from different nonprofit organizations for different public spaces are eligible in the following cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio.

The radius exclusions of 50 miles from an existing Levitt Music Series and 75 miles from a Levitt venue do not apply to these cities.