Fund for Music Innovation

The DMV Music Alliance Fund for Music Innovation has been established to help local musicians and industry professionals explore new projects or initiatives that would benefit our regional music scene and its music fans. The DMVMA is particularly interested in:

  • unique collaborations,
  • music that bridges gaps and crosses boundaries, and
  • initiatives that would provide industry resources and/or services that would help develop our region’s musicians and music industry.

Winners receive:

  • $500 micro-grant
  • Project evaluation, consulting, and referrals
  • Promotion including a video spotlight
  • Free entry to our virtual workshops
  • One pair of tickets to an IMP show
  • Other opportunities as made available from our community partners

GRANT GUIDELINES

Micro-grants will be awarded to help pay for project-related expenses, which may include:

  • Recording sessions and production costs
  • Music-related equipment (instruments, sound gear, lighting)
  • Domestic touring expenses
  • Marketing costs and video sessions
  • Business development costs

Funds may not be used to pay for the following types of expenses:

  • Rent, mortgage, or other housing expenses
  • Utilities (gas, electric, water, phone, Internet, cable)
  • Health-related expenses (insurance premiums, deductibles, or copayments) or
  • Financial debt

The DMVMA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups. Projects may focus on reaching a particular group; however, they may not be exclusionary under civil rights laws and policies prohibiting discrimination.

ASSISTANCE LIMITATIONS

Micro-grants will only be awarded once per project.

Payments made from The Fund will be considered charitable gifts and not taxable income.

Where possible, payments will be made to vendors directly and not to the applicant. At its sole discretion, the DMV Music Alliance reserves the right to deny or approve any applications.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

In order to be eligible for assistance, applicants must:

  • Reside in one of the cities or counties in the Greater Washington, DC area
  • Derive at least 50% of gross income from music-related work and be able to demonstrate at least one of the following:
    • At least 3 years of employment in a music-related profession, whether as a musician or music industry professional
    • At least 2 commercially or promotionally released recordings or music videos

HOW IT WORKS

There are no deadlines and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, only one micro-grant package will be awarded monthly.

Your responses do not need to be long and not all questions require responses but are there to help you provide a clearer picture.

You may save a draft of your application upon registering as a user on our site.

Please include links to the following items with the completed application:

  • A resume/bio, electronic press kit (EPK), or discography
  • Music industry background documentation
  • Estimates for which assistance is being requested

No one outside of the Alliance’s staff and selection committee will have access to any of the information you provide in your application. Winning applicants will be asked for a summary, graphics, and links to help promote your project.

Once the application is received by the DMV Music Alliance, our staff will contact the applicant to gather additional information if necessary.  The application will then be forwarded to the Fund Committee for review and selection.  The Fund Committee will evaluate each application on its completeness, uniqueness, and expected impact on the DMV music scene.

Staff is available to assist all applicants with the process.  Please email info@dmvmusicalliance.org with questions. If you would prefer to speak by phone, please state this in the email and provide a phone number.

BEGIN APPLICATION HERE:

Although it is not required, it is suggested that you register/login below prior to starting your application so that you can save and edit drafts before submitting your application. Otherwise, click on Start Application below to begin.

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Fund for Music Innovation Grant Application

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