Organizational Support

The Organizational Support program offered by the Alice M. Ditson Fund provides financial assistance to performing arts organizations committed to the presentation of contemporary American classical concert music. The fund, established to advance public appreciation of works by younger and relatively unknown living American composers, supports a range of entities including professional ensembles, institutions, summer festivals, conferences, and service organizations. For the October 15 application cycle, the Fund focuses on organizations holding summer festivals and conferences as well as service organizations without a scheduled concert season. Eligible applicants must be non-profit organizations with at least two years of operational history and a demonstrated commitment to contemporary American music. Organizations whose programming over the past two seasons has not comprised at least 50% contemporary American music are advised to apply only for project support. Dance companies are eligible solely for projects involving live performances of eligible music. Projects supported must commence between July 2025 and June 2026, with summer festivals limited to events occurring in summer 2026. The fund strictly prohibits the use of grants for commissioning new works and mandates fair compensation for music licensing and performance rights. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, although higher awards are possible for organizations with exceptional dedication to the Fund’s mission. Funding decisions are made by the Ditson Fund advisory committee, which assesses artistic quality, commitment to contemporary music, and financial viability. Applications must include comprehensive documentation such as organizational history, concert data, detailed proposals, and financial information covering three years. Sound recordings of recent performances and planned repertoire are also required. To apply, organizations must register and create a profile on the Fund’s application portal. Fiscal sponsors with 501(c)(3) status are acceptable for non-U.S.-based applicants. Applications must be submitted online, and applicants are encouraged to start early and save progress regularly. Additional guidance, including budget templates and FAQs, is available on the Fund’s website. The deadline for submitting a complete application is October 15, 2025, by 11:59 PM ET. Award notifications are expected around January 2026. The Fund operates on an annual cycle, with future deadlines anticipated to follow a similar schedule. For inquiries not addressed in the FAQ, applicants may contact the Fund Administrator via email at grants@ditsonfund.org. This grant opportunity is recurring and focused on enhancing the presence and recognition of emerging American composers in the classical music landscape through strategic support of programming institutions and performance initiatives.

Fund emphasizes programming of younger and relatively unknown American composers, performance quality, and adequate compensation for music rights.