Grant Information

Goals

Achieving Sustainability Together

At LMS, we understand audience engagement to be the key to sustainability: growing a network of supporters who are invested in the success of the venue, including patrons, volunteers, artists, staff, donors, and corporate sponsors.

The goal of Music in Action grants is to help venues explore new ways to:

• Expand your existing audience.

• Develop new pathways that lead to revenue generation.

• Connect with a younger demographic.

• Welcome, include, and support historically marginalized groups, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.

• Take a chance on innovative programs and initiatives that you may not otherwise be able to implement or expand.

• Generate more press, increased attention, and stronger ticket sales.

• Make better use of facilities during daytime hours.

• Contribute to long-term economic vitality.

We’re looking for creative ideas; projects or programs that you may have wanted to launch, but were hesitant to do so without the possibility of breaking even. We hope that our funding will enable some creative engagement with new people in your town and that these projects will also be fun for you, your staff, and your community. We encourage applicants to leverage LMS funding to seek additional support.

LMS is committed to supporting venues that value diversity and inclusion, foster belonging, and strive to advance equity. The artistic community has always taken a lead in addressing challenges and advancing real change, and we believe that creative ideas can secure the long-term health of the sector and introduce meaningful experiences to a new generation of music fans.

Funding

Applicants may request up to $50,000 per application. Applicants should request only the total amount needed to implement the project and provide a budget breakdown that supports the application. Requesting the maximum amount does not improve the probability of success.

Please note that overhead, or general administrative costs, may not exceed 20% of the total requested.

Venues selected for further consideration will be required to provide your most recent P&Ls and tax filings per IRS regulations.

Grant proceeds must be fully utilized during the grant period (August 1, 2026 - July 31, 2027).

Eligibility & Exclusions

General Eligibility Requirements

All applicants will complete a short eligibility form in Submittable to ensure that the proposal meets the general eligibility criteria outlined below:

• Venues are based in the United States (or its territories) and the grantee business entity is also based in the U.S. (or its territories).

• Venues have a legal capacity of 50-300, including standing room.

• Businesses were in operation and presenting shows on or prior to January 1, 2023.

• Venues are committed to live music (performed by solo artists or bands) as their primary activity.

• Venues present a minimum of 30 live music performances each year.

• Applicant manages or owns the venue. Unfortunately, promoters, curators, and festival producers are not eligible.

Please review the adjudication criteria prior to submission.

Applicants will be required to share detailed financial information if selected as a finalist venue, including recent tax returns. You may operate other businesses in conjunction with the music venue (restaurants, bars, retail, etc.), but the music venue must be the main driver of your business. Music comes first!

Any involved parties must consent to their inclusion in the proposal.

General Exclusions

Proposals that fall into any of the following categories are deemed ineligible:

• Special-event business rentals (other than for educational purposes), including but not limited to weddings, church services, birthday or engagement/anniversary parties, or corporate meetings.

• Activities that support a religious purpose or require faith-based participation.

• Discriminatory or exclusionary programs.

• Political campaigns or legislative advocacy (lobbying).

Organization Type Exclusions

• Venues that received a grant from Live Music Society in 2024 or 2025.

• Venues located in a larger Performing Arts Center with multiple stages, presenting a variety of arts, such as dance and theater.

• Venues that are a ‘second stage’ in a larger music venue or are supported by revenue from a larger capacity.

• Private member organizations that are not open to the general public.

• Bars and restaurants that are not music-focused small venues. Music must be the primary brand identity of the business.

• Faith-based organizations requiring faith-based programming participation.

• Pop-up spaces that occasionally host concerts.

Funding Type Exclusions

• General operating support.

• Capital campaigns.

• Endowment funding.

• Debt reduction.

Adjudication Criteria

MiA grants will be assessed based on five general criteria:

1. INNOVATION/CREATIVITY – Is the project novel; does it solved a meaningful problem and/or create value for the venue?

2. FEASIBILITY – Can the program be implemented and evaluated during the grant period?

3. RELEVANCE – Does the project have special relevance to the venue, to the audience, or to the local community?

4. REACH/INCLUSIVITY – How might the project increase accessibility for historically marginalized groups?

5. POTENTIAL IMPACT – How will the project be evaluated and its impact measured? Evaluation includes the intended outcome and quantitative methods used to track the project’s success.

Timeline

• February 4, 2026 – Applications Open

• March 12, 2026 – Applications Close

• July 2026 – Awards Announced