The Levitt AMP Music Series Grant

The Levitt AMP Music Series Grant is a multi-year matching grant opportunity provided by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a private philanthropic organization committed to strengthening the social fabric of America by supporting inclusive and vibrant public spaces through free, live music. The grant program was launched in 2015 and is designed to activate underused outdoor public spaces, promote community engagement, and ensure access to the arts for all. The Levitt AMP initiative specifically targets small to mid-sized towns and cities with populations under 250,000, aiming to amplify community pride, enrich lives through the power of music, and demonstrate the importance of inclusive, dynamic public places. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in the same town, city, or county as the proposed music series. The proposed concert series must be free, held outdoors in accessible, lawn-like settings with no fixed seating, and be inclusive of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic circumstances. The grant also requires the activation of an underused public space that would benefit from increased social and economic activity. Applicants must demonstrate a philosophy of community inclusiveness, family-friendly programming, and representation of diverse music genres. Additionally, they must have a proven track record of presenting quality concerts or community events, or be able to partner with an organization or individual who does. The Levitt AMP grant provides up to $40,000 per year for three years (totaling up to $120,000) to support 7–10 free outdoor concerts annually during the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons. To qualify, applicants must meet annual matching fund requirements. The funding may be used for concert production expenses, artist fees, community outreach, and related activities, in accordance with the foundation’s guidelines. The foundation also offers grantees a range of capacity-building resources, including best practices, toolkits, program frameworks, and training opportunities to help maximize community impact. There are specific geographic exclusions to ensure broad distribution of support: the proposed music series cannot take place in the same town or city as an existing Levitt Music Series (with exceptions for Chicago and Los Angeles) and must be located at least 50 miles from another Levitt series in the same state or region (exceptions include certain major cities and metro areas). If there is an existing or planned Levitt venue, the site must be at least 75 miles from that venue, except in noted urban areas. Special partnership opportunities exist for applicants in Tennessee (in collaboration with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission) and Mississippi (in partnership with the Mississippi Arts Commission, with a combined public art/music series grant administered through the MAC website). Applications for the 2026–2028 Levitt AMP Music Series Grant cycle are open to U.S.-based nonprofits until June 30, 2025. There are no noted pre-application deadlines, but applicants are encouraged to contact the Levitt Foundation for clarification on distance requirements or eligibility concerns. The grant is recurring, with cycles typically spanning three years, and applicants may contact the foundation by emailing musicseriesgrants@levitt.org for more information or support during the application process. Application requirements include submitting organizational and program information via the Levitt Foundation’s online portal, confirming eligibility, and demonstrating community support and the potential impact of the series. The foundation evaluates applications based on community need, demonstrated organizational capacity, programming diversity and inclusivity, community engagement plans, and alignment with Levitt’s mission. Resources and FAQs are available on the Levitt Foundation website to support prospective applicants throughout the process. Previous grant recipients include a diverse array of community-based nonprofits across the U.S., with a full list provided in the source material.