At the D’Addario Foundation, we are not the champions. Our job is to find the champions. We support focused teams deeply trusted by the communities they serve executing immersive and enduring music education and youth development programs. We provide services, resources (instruments and accessories), and development opportunities constantly.

APPLYING FOR SUPPORT

GRANT GUIDELINES

• If you are applying for the first time or have not re-applied in over two years, carefully read our funding objectives below before submitting a letter of inquiry.
• Letters of Inquiries are accepted on a rolling basis.
• If an LOI is approved, new applicants will receive an email with a link to submit a full grant proposal.
• If you have been invited to submit a full partnership proposal in the past, please contact us to obtain the application link.
• Organizations are eligible to apply for support once per year.
• All applicants must reapply each year for continued support unless they have been told otherwise. Organizations will not receive a reminder from the Foundation about proposal deadlines.
• Proposals for the 10/15 deadline will receive a grant if approved, at the earliest, on 2/1 the following year. Proposals accepted for the 4/30 deadline will receive a grant if approved, at the earliest, 8/1.
• The D'Addario Foundation prefers not to provide funding for the purpose of purchasing equipment or instruments. If you have instrument needs, we recommend reaching out to the following organizations: Hungry for Music, Instruments in the Cloud, Todd Rundgren's Spirit of Harmony Foundation, Guitars 4 Gifts, Reverb Gives, DW Music Foundation, or the Guitar Center Music Foundation.
• Grantee organizations that have been told they've reached term limit may re-apply for support after a 3-year grace period if they continue to meet funding objectives.
• Please also review our FAQs before submitting an LOI or full grant proposal. 

FUNDING OBJECTIVES

Does your organization meet the following criteria?

• 501(c)(3) non-profit status (or international equivalent)
• Offers free or affordable instrument instruction
• Addresses a need in the community it serves
• Provides frequent instruction where students are participating multiple times per week, throughout the year, and for as many years as possible throughout their primary & secondary education

We do NOT provide funding for the following:

• Individuals
• Religious, veteran, fraternal organizations
• Telethons, benefits, or fundraisers
• Capital campaigns, endowments, or building funds
• Political or lobbying organizations
• Short-term initiatives such as performances, masterclasses, festivals, workshops, concerts, summer camps, drum circles, or competitions
• Band boosters, parent organizations, or private schools
• Instruments, equipment, or music material requests

SUBMIT A LETTER OF INQUIRY

FULL PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

Seeking Support 1st Half of Year

• Grant Proposal Deadline: October 15
• Grant Decisions Made By: January 15 (of following year)
• Grant Awards Mailed Starting: February 1 (of following year)

Seeking Support 2nd Half of Year

• Grant Proposal Deadline: April 30
• Grant Decisions Made By: July 15
• Grant Awards Mailed Starting: August 1