Elegibility & Criteria

These awards are for music-based Creative Youth Development organizations that are led by strong leaders who are addressing opportunity gaps and/or circumstances of marginalization for young people in their community and working for systemic change. Eligibility requirements are:

• Round I application must be written by the organizational leader who reports to the board of directors.

• Organizations serving youth in the age range of 6-21 years old.

• Organizations’ total youth served are at least 50% from historically marginalized or under-resourced communities.

• Programming allows for consistent, ongoing participation opportunities that sequentially build skills and relationships over time, ideally multi-year. One time classes, short term workshops, assemblies, and/or summer camps do not meet the eligibility criteria.

• Programs that operate and serve youth outside of school hours.

• Programming time is at least 50% devoted to music learning, creating, or performing.

• The organization and youth served reside in the United State or it’s territories.

• The organization is an independent 501(c)(3) or has a partnership with a 501(c)(3) as a fiscal sponsor.

• The organization has been in operation for at least five years, beginning in or before 2015.

• Organization leader who reports to the Board of Directors has been in that position of leadership for at least three years, beginning in or before 2017. 

• Organization leader who reports to the Board of Directors resides in the local community where the work/program is located.  

• Organization's Board of Directors and/or leadership staff have at least 25% of its members who reside in or represent the community that is served.