David Sanborn at Jazz St. Louis, MO
Toolbox Grant
Toolbox grants are designed to provide support for the practical needs of music venues. With funding up to $10,000, the Toolbox grant empowers venues to elevate the live music experience for musicians, staff, and audiences by addressing a practical challenge.
We recommend that you review all guidelines and materials below in preparation for your application.
Goals
The Toolbox grant is designed to help venue owners address a one-time, specific, and practical project to make their space even better for performers, staff, and visitors. Differing from our Music in Action grant, which supports broader audience development and community building initiatives, Toolbox focuses on smaller, essential venue improvements. We recognize that venues require support for practical projects to enhance the live music experience.
Some examples are listed below, but Toolbox funding is not limited to these. If you have a practical challenge that you believe might qualify for support, we encourage you to submit an application!
Improvements that enhance and ensure safety and comfort for staff, musicians, and patrons.
Incorporating innovative technology to modernize operations.
Engaging consultants to assist with a practical challenge (acoustics, ticketing, fundraising, branding).
Staff training and education.
Funding
Applicants may request up to $10,000 per application.
Applicants should request only the total amount needed to implement the project, and will need to provide a budget breakdown that supports the application. Requesting the maximum amount does not improve the likelihood of success.
Grant proceeds must be fully utilized during the grant period: December 15, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Eligibility and Exclusions
General Eligibility Requirements
All applications begin with a short eligibility form to ensure that the applicant venue meets the general criteria outlined below:
Venues are based in the United States (or its territories) and the grantee business entity is also based in the US (or its territories).
Venues have a legal capacity of 50-300, including standing room.
Businesses in operation 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 music performances each year.
Applicant manages or owns the venue. Unfortunately, promoters, curators, and festival producers are not eligible.
NOTE: 2026 Music in Action grantee venues and 2025 Toolbox grantees are NOT ELIGIBLE to apply to this round of funding.
Please review the adjudication criteria prior to submission.
You may review a summary of the application questions below as you prepare your application materials.
NOTE: this PDF is not the application and cannot be used to apply for the grant. All applicants must apply via the Submittable platform, linked in the “APPLY NOW” button at the end of this page.
NOTE: this PDF is not the application and cannot be used to apply for the grant. All applicants must apply via the Submittable platform, linked in the ‘Apply HERE’ button at the end of this page.
All applicants must use the template provided below to create their project budget. Please review the budget guide for instructions on filling out the template. If you have additional questions, you can reach out to grants@livemusicsociety.
Applicants will be required to share detailed financial information if selected as a finalist venue, including recent tax returns and profit and loss statements.
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 parties involved must consent to their inclusion in the proposal.
General Exclusions
Proposals that fall into any of the following categories are deemed ineligible:
Activities that support a religious purpose or require faith-based participation.
Discriminatory or exclusionary programs.
Political campaigns or legislative advocacy (lobbying).
Organization Type Exclusions
2025 Toolbox grantees and 2026 Music in Action grantee venues.
Music presenters and promoters who present music on selected nights in a venue but do not own or manage the premises (talent buyers and promoters may partner with venue management to submit).
Venues located in a larger Performing Arts Center with multiple stages, presenting various arts, such as dance, musicals, and theater.
Venues that are a ‘second stage’ in a larger music venue or are supported by revenue from a larger capacity venue.
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.
Litigation expenses.
Taxes due.
Adjudication Criteria
Toolbox grants will be assessed on the following criteria:
PLAN AND IMPACT – Does the project contain a clear vision for how it will improve the live music experience for staff, musicians, and/or audiences at the venue?
FEASIBILITY – Is there a thoughtful plan for the project that includes a budget detailing the intended use of the funds? Can all work be completed during the grant period?
Timeline
August 18, 2026 – Applications open
September 16, 2026 – Applications close
December 2026 – Grantees Announced
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Venues who received funding from Live Music Society from 2020 to 2024 can apply to this round of funding. 2025 Music in Action grantees can also apply.
2025 Toolbox and 2026 Music in Action grantee venues cannot apply to this round of funding.
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All applicants must apply via Submittable. The application portal is now open HERE.
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LMS will accept applications submitted via the Submittable platform until 11:59pm Pacific Time on Wednesday, September 16.
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Yes. You can take as much time as you like, and your work will be saved on Submittable, as long as you hit “Submit” 11:59pm Pacific Time on Wednesday, September 16.
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Applicants will be asked to provide financial records, including tax filings and P&Ls.
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Yes. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of capacity and show volume for the prior 12 months (see below for acceptable forms of documentation). Additionally, applicants will need to upload a project budget in both an Excel and PDF file, and can provide quotes or estimates if relevant to the project.
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A few examples of acceptable evidence are PDFs from your ticketing platform, a comprehensive booking calendar, and copies of artist settlements. If you are unsure if your evidence is sufficient, please reach out to grants@livemusicsociety.org.
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Yes, you can be the applicant, but you must do so in partnership with the owner/manager of the venue, with their consent. Payments can only be made to the venue’s business entity.
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Yes. Your venue is eligible if the total volume of shows you customarily present is 50 or more, substantiated by evidence of shows presented over a 12-month period up to the time of application. We are looking for evidence that over 50 headliners were presented in the prior 12 months.
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Unfortunately, no. Live Music Society grants are directed toward small listening rooms and venues that have between 50 and 300 as their sellable capacity, including for standing room shows. This capacity is confirmed by a certificate of occupancy or image of the 'max. occupancy' placard at the venue. If you feel your venue qualifies and have a fixed-seating chart, or other supporting documentation, please contact us at grants@livemusicsociety.org.
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Yes. Projects will be considered and evaluated based on the feasibility of the proposal submitted, whether it is starting a new initiative or completing an existing one.
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Adjudication criteria is available HERE
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You may provide quotes or estimates as part of your application. However, all applicants are required to submit an expense budget, showing how funds will be utilized.
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All applicants who click the “Submit” button at the end of the application form will receive an email confirmation at the address provided. Please check your spam folder before contacting Live Music Society.
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All applicants will be notified of their status in November 2026.
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The EIN is used to confirm the business entity and state in which the business is registered.
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Yes! Send us an email at grants@livemusicsociety.org with the name of the venue and any contact information you have. We will reach out to them with information about the Toolbox grant.