The New Music Organization Fund, administered by New Music USA, provides financial support to non-profit organizations that work regularly with music creators and artists. The grant is designed to sustain organizations that offer crucial resources to their community and contribute to the development of new music. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, performance groups, dance organizations, festivals, presenters, and venues engaged in new music programming, commissioning, and artist support.

The primary criteria for selection include artistry, impact on the community, demonstrated financial need, and commitment to inclusion and belonging. Applicants must operate in the United States or U.S. territories, have at least three years of performing, programming, and budget activity, and maintain an annual budget between $5,000 and $3 million. Universities and individual applicants are not eligible.

Applicants may apply under one of three funding categories:

General Operating Support – Funding for organizations supporting new music creators and artists in their community through regular programming and commissioning.
Creation of New Work – Funding for projects involving the commissioning and creation of new musical works.
Live Music for Dance – Funding for dance organizations that collaborate with musicians and composers for live music performances in dance productions.
The application period opens on February 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET and closes on March 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. Notifications will be sent in late June 2025, and public announcements will follow in August 2025. Funded activities must take place between July 2025 and June 2026 (for General Operating Support) or July 2025 and June 2027 (for Creation of New Work and Live Music for Dance projects).

Changes to the 2025 cycle include a mandatory eligibility quiz, updated budget requirements, and new reapplication restrictions beginning in 2026. Organizations that receive funding in 2025 will be ineligible to apply again until 2027.

Applicants must provide an endorsement letter, organization bio and mission statement, program description, budget details, music samples, and a statement on inclusion and belonging. Applications will be reviewed by independent panelists, with approximately 70–80 organizations expected to receive an average grant of $7,000, with a maximum award of $10,000.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact grants@newmusicusa.org for technical issues. Due to the high volume of applications, feedback on submissions will not be provided.