Faq -Our Programs

How can my school apply for a Save The Music grant?

Save The Music Foundation (STM) partners with public school districts in communities across the United States that show an immediate need for support and resources to build their in-school music education programs. STM partners with school districts that serve Title I public schools and a high percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. School districts that receive an STM grant have limited or no instrument inventory and access to music education materials before an STM partnership.

STM and partner school districts select schools in the district that show readiness to receive an STM grant. Readiness means the school district commits to providing 1) a dedicated music classroom space, 2) a full-time, certified music teacher, and 3) a music class or course as part of the regular school day schedule at the school receiving the STM grant.

STM grant applications are distributed to specific school sites by invitation only after a series of community and school district-level steps to establish a strategic, collaborative, and long-term grant partnership. There is no Save The Music Grant application available to the public. Please direct all questions regarding grants and school district partnerships to the STM Program Team at [email protected]g.

Save The Music is currently focused on the following community and state-wide partnerships to increase equity and access to music education for all students. If you know or work for a school in need in one of these communities, please feel free to contact the STM Program Team at [email protected].

 

  • Northern California (CA)
  • Southern California (CA)
  • Southern Florida (FL)
  • Atlanta (GA)
  • Baltimore (MD)
  • Metropolitan Detroit (MI)
  • Mississippi Delta (MS)
  • New York City (NY)
  • Northern New Jersey (NJ)
  • Ohio (OH)
  • Tennessee (TN)
  • West Virginia (WV)
What types of grants are offered by Save The Music?

STM provides grant packages to school music programs based on grade level and content area consisting of musical instruments, equipment, technology, resources, and professional development for teachers. Learn about our grant packages.

STM’s program model combines the one-time capital investment to start and build music programs with ongoing support for music teachers and school administrators including guidance on creating policies and advocacy tools to help expand and sustain the school’s music program.

STM does not provide cash grants or monetary funding to school districts, schools, or individuals.

What are Save The Music's grant requirements?

Save The Music’s partner school districts are committed to building and investing in school music education programs to benefit student achievement and increase access to a well-rounded education. STM grant requirements are as follows:

  • The school must be a public school in the United States.
  • The school or district must commit to hiring and funding at least one certified music teacher.
  • The school must schedule music as part of the regular school day, offering a minimum of 45 minutes of instruction per student enrolled in the music program per week.
  • The school must provide a classroom space dedicated to music instruction.
  • The school must provide adequate, secure storage space for the donated instruments, equipment, and materials.
  • The school and district accept full responsibility for the maintenance of instruments (anything outside of the manufacturer’s warranty) and necessary supplies (i.e. strings, reeds, sheet music, technology upgrades, etc.).
  • The grant recipient must complete annual progress reports about the music program and allow representatives from the Foundation to visit.

Please direct all questions and inquiries regarding grant requirements to the Save The Music Program Team at [email protected].

Where has Save The Music donated grants?

Since the founding of Save The Music Foundation in 1997, the organization has donated over $75 million worth of instruments and technology to more than 2,800 schools in 300+ districts nationwide – increasing access to music education for millions of students.

See STM’s list of partner school districts that received at least one grant in the current school year and STM’s overall impact across the United States from 1997 to now.

How does Save The Music measure success?

STM measures success first by the number of students and schools with access to sustainable, sequential, and quality music education programs through STM grants. As students’ access to music education grows in a partner school district and community, STM looks towards measurable outcomes including student academic success, student attendance, student emotional well-being, and teacher satisfaction, as well as the overall engagement of the community’s music education ecosystem.

Read more about STM’s impact in the available case studies and research listed below:

Can Save The Music sponsor my arts based organization or event?

Save The Music does not sponsor or award grants to fellow non-profit organizations or events. We partner with public school districts to deliver grant packages of musical instruments, technology, equipment, and resources to school music programs.

Learn more about other organizations that may be able to help.

 

Can Save The Music donate an instrument to my child?

Save The Music does not award grants or monetary funding to individuals.

Learn more about other organizations that may be able to help.