The Concert Artists Fund is administered by the Vermont Community Foundation and was established in 2005 through the estate of Charles Goetz. Its purpose is to support public performances of classical music specifically within Chittenden County, Vermont. While many grantmaking efforts by the Vermont Community Foundation include arts-related initiatives, this fund is uniquely focused solely on classical music performances, setting it apart in its exclusive dedication to the arts.

Grants from the Concert Artists Fund are available to organizations that present classical music performances to the public. The fund is restricted to live public performances and does not support music education programs, religious art, capital campaigns, debt reduction, or expenses incurred prior to the grant award. Events must be open to a broad public audience, including underserved populations, and be of high artistic quality. Applicants are encouraged to propose collaborative or uniquely partnered programming that demonstrates strong community value and excellence.

Grant applications will be reviewed based on several evaluation criteria: the artistic quality of the performance as demonstrated in work samples, the organization's ability to successfully present the performances, plans to make the events publicly accessible, inclusion of underserved groups, and a reasonable and well-supported budget. The fund does not support events that occur before funding decisions are made, nor does it support educational programming, although other Vermont Community Foundation programs may fund such initiatives.

The Concert Artists Fund awards grants every two years and follows a two-year funding cycle. The maximum award is $20,000 over two years, with payments distributed annually at $10,000 per year. The average award size is $5,500 annually. Continued funding in the second year is contingent upon the submission of a satisfactory first-year report and confirmation of plans to present eligible performances in the second year.

For the 2025 cycle, applications will be accepted from March 4 to April 15, 2025, with a firm deadline of 5:00 PM on Tuesday, April 15. Notifications are expected by early June 2025. Grant-funded activities must occur between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2027, and may not include expenses incurred before the start date.

Applicants must meet the general guidelines and requirements set forth by the Vermont Community Foundation, available on the Foundation’s website under the For Nonprofits section. For questions or further details about the grant program, interested applicants can contact Jane Mulcahy at jmulcahy@vermontcf.org or by phone at 802-388-3355 ext. 381.