Frequently Asked Questions

What are the sizes of the Prizes? Three $500,000 awards will be given. The funding will be distributed over multiple years.

What is the deadline for the first round of the application? Round one applications close on August 21, 2020 at 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time.

When I register on Acceptd, it asks me if I am an individual or a student. What should I choose? Individual. As you proceed, it will be clear that you are actually applying on behalf of your organization.

What does systems change mean to the Lewis Prize? An in depth definition, background, and examples can be found here. The Lewis Prize for Music is interested in championing systems change efforts that are occurring in and alongside the field of creative youth development. We are open to diverse approaches. We think about systems change in terms of both macro and civic systems. Applicant’s CYD work must increase youth music opportunities within or alongside at least one macro and/or one civic system. Accelerator Award applicants will be expected to describe their systems change goals, methods, and impact in their Round 1 Application. The Accelerator Awards will go to those who have a solid systems change initiative underway and are beginning to see progress toward a tipping point, or who are sustaining the transition to a new system.

Our organization also serves young people whose ages are younger and/or older than 6-21 years old. Are we still eligible to apply? Yes, please describe all of your programs/services and how they build onto or are a place to grow into, that may be outside of our designated ages.

What is the process after I submit an application? August 21, Round 1 applications close at 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time; September 17-30, Semi-Finalists are invited to submit additional material for review; mid-October, Finalists are invited to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP); mid-January, 2021, Awardees are announced and funds are given.

Is this award similar to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund? No, the COVID-19 Community Response Fund awarded organizations exhibiting adaptive leadership at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Accelerator Awards recognizes organizations that are working towards systemic change to create more just and equitable communities.

The Lewis Prize Criteria mentions “Creative Youth Development.” I’m not familiar with this term. What does it mean? Creative Youth Development (CYD) describes programs that blend excellence in artistic instruction with principles of positive youth development. More information about CYD and its growth as a field can be found at the Creative Youth Development National Partnership.

What will Reviewers be looking for in the Round I Application? We want to learn about you, your leadership, the ideas and thinking behind your vision for systems change, the progress you are making, and how you empower youth leaders. The Lewis Prizes strives to see the heart in each organization, and not necessarily those who submit the most well written application.

Who are the review panelists for The Lewis Prize? The review panelists are individuals chosen for their diverse expertise across the fields of music, education, philanthropy, community organizing and social justice. Panelists include young adult leaders of diverse backgrounds who have participated in CYD programs as students, mentors, and instructors. You can find the full list of panelists from last year’s prize process here.

My video or audio recordings are not professional quality. Will this hurt my chances of moving forward? No. We understand that not every program has the means to provide a professional recording. Though audio or video evidence is necessary, we are interested in how the music samples display rigor, personal expression, youth leadership, cultural identity, and enthusiastic engagement of the young people performing.

How will I be notified of a decision? Notifications are sent through the Acceptd online application messaging feature attached to your application on Acceptd.

Can I send supplemental items for my application? No, only provide materials that are requested on the application found online at the Round I Application on Acceptd. Additional materials will not be reviewed.

I have only been working as the CEO/Executive Director at my current organization for 2.75 years. Am I still eligible to apply? The 2021 application requires eligible leaders to have been serving in their leadership role reporting to the Board of Directors since sometime in 2017 or before. If your first day in this leadership position was in 2018 or later, you are not eligible. Sign up to receive notification of future opportunities and ongoing updates from The Lewis Prize here.

The online application is asking if the leader of the organization is filling out the application. Our organization has a grant writer. May they fill in this application? The Lewis Prize values the voice of the leader. It is required that the application be filled out directly by the leader. Grant writers may be involved if applicants move to future application rounds. The application states that the Lewis Prize aims to support a diverse group of leaders and organizations.

Are only people of color, rural communities, and women leaders eligible to apply? If you meet our eligibility criteria, you are eligible to apply. The Lewis Prize for Music believes that organizations that are run by and/or uplift people of color, rural communities, and women leaders are often overlooked in funding opportunities. We are putting attention and effort toward creating equitable opportunities.

If we were awarded a grant from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, can I also apply for the Accelerator Award? Yes, so long as you and your organization meet the Accelerator Award criteria.

If you have additional questions not answered above, submit them through The Lewis Prize Contact Form. For technical questions regarding the Acceptd platform, please use the Acceptd Help Desk.