Applications Now Open
Instrument Grants of up to $25K
Program Overview
What: The MusiCounts TD Community Music Program provides musical instruments and equipment to community centres, after-school programs and other community non-profit organizations. MusiCounts supports both new and existing music programs. Community organizations who need instruments to ensure their music program’s sustained growth are encouraged to apply, as are community organizations who hope to begin offering a music program with MusiCounts’ help. The MusiCounts TD Community Music Program is offered in allotments up to $25,000 to deserving programs who are in need of MusiCounts’ support.
Who Can Apply: The MusiCounts TD Community Music Program is open to non-profit organizations that operate outside of Provincial Departments of Education. Non-profit and/or registered charitable organizations with pre-existing or new music programs are eligible for consideration. The community music program must be youth-oriented.
When: Applications for the 2021 application cycle open on February 18, 2021. The final application deadline is April 23, 2021.
How: Please review all information and criteria below, then fill out an online application through our submissions portal below during the designated application period.
Information On This Page
- Application Process & Timelines
- Materials & Information You Need To Apply
- Sample Application
- Equity Priority Policy
- How Are Funding Decisions Made?
- Application Process
- Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Uses of the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program
- Frequently Asked Questions
TO ACCESS THE FRENCH APPLICATION & WEBSITE, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Materials & Information You Need To Apply
1. Information on your community organization and your music program.
- If you do not yet have a music program, you will be asked to outline your plans for implementing this.
2. A broad overview of your organization’s current inventory of musical instruments and equipment.
- You will enter this information directly into the online application.
3. Musical instrument and equipment Wish List.
- A wish list of what instruments and equipment you plan to purchase, should your application be successful. You will enter this information directly into the online application. It is expected that you conduct research and provide approximate costs for what you hope to purchase. Providing a retailer quote is not necessary.
4. Additional information, including:
- The participant community your program serves. For example, does your music program serve any in-need, at-risk or marginalized communities?
5. Supporting information:
- You may submit supporting documents with your application. These could be letters, testimonials, photos, etc. from community members, program participants, parents, or program staff.
6. Financial Information:
- An overview of your organization's financial information. This includes information such as your organization's budget and top 5 funding sources.
7. A list of your organization's board members
SAMPLE APPLICATION
MUSICOUNTS' EQUITY PRIORITY POLICY
MusiCounts is proud to support all music education practices and teachings in Canada. In MusiCounts’ 20+ year history of investing in music education, however, the majority of our resources have been allocated to music programs that reflect a Western colonial music education tradition. In an effort to promote equal access to music education, and to foster a more diverse and inclusive music education landscape in Canada, MusiCounts is committed to investing in music education programs that empower young people to celebrate their cultural identity, as well as music programs that support BIPOC youth and other underrepresented communities.
HOW ARE FUNDING DECISIONS MADE?
Every application submitted to the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program undergoes a thorough review process. In addition to considering our Equity Priority Policy, we evaluate applications on the following core criteria:
- Need level: is there an urgent need for the instruments and equipment requested?
- Program framework: is there a strong plan in place to ensure the instruments & equipment will be regularly used by your organization’s students?
- Impact potential: will receiving this grant have a significant impact on your organization's music program, and your organization’s community of students?
APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATIONS OPEN
APPLICATIONS CLOSE
EVALUATION PERIOD
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
The MusiCounts TD Community Music Program is open to non-profit organizations that operate outside of Provincial Departments of Education. Non-profit and/or registered charitable organizations with pre-existing or new music programs are eligible for consideration. The community music program should be comprised of children and youth participants (individuals 25 or younger).
Ineligible Applicants
The following organizations are not eligible to receive support from the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program:
- School music programs - if you are a school music program, please consider applying for the MusiCounts Band Aid Program
- Programs outside of Canada
- Programs that have received funding through the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program in the last 5 years
- Individuals
- Private foundations
- Political Organizations
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, ability, or sexual orientation
- Organizations that are not open to members of the general public
- Research organizations or projects
- Fundraising events
- Scholarships
ELIGIBLE USES OF THE MUSICOUNTS TD COMMUNITY MUSIC PROGRAM
- At least 50% of your grant funds must be used to purchase any kind of musical instruments and equipment. This includes, but is not limited to:
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- Music production and recording equipment, including software, tablets, microphones, etc.
- Traditional instruments that belong to a particular culture and/or raw materials to build these traditional instruments.
- Standard band and orchestra instruments
- Adaptive musical instruments, and instruments for use in a music therapy context.
- Orff instruments
- Guitars and ukuleles
- Amps and speakers
- Whatever instruments are needed by your organization.
- Up to 25% of your requested funds may be allocated to repair instruments currently in your organization’s inventory.
- Up to 25% of your requested funds may be allocated to the purchase of music accessories & resources, including music stands, storage, sheet music, and online music education resources. In light of COVID-19, you may also purchase air filters, plexiglass, or other materials to make music education at your organization more safe and sustainable.
- *New* for organizations that are requesting Indigenous musical instruments: up to 40% of your grant may be used for costs associated with having a community member, elder, knowledge-keeper or clinician introduce and/or build these instruments to your students.