Find grants that fit your project. Many organizations offer funding for traditional music. An example is The National Endowment for the Arts in the U.S. which provides funding for folk and traditional arts. NEA grants support festivals, dance troupes, musicians and artists from international backgrounds working in the United States. Applications for NEA grants are available to print off their website, nea.gov. The MacArthur Foundation is a Chicago organization offering an International Connections Fund Grant to artistic groups planning international travel. The groups supported include musicians specializing in folk music such as the Old Town School of Folk Music. The foundation recommends review of granting guidelines before contacting their office. A potential grantee sends a cover sheet and letter to the foundation with specific information regarding his proposed project. More information can be found at macfound.org.
Write a draft of your mission statement or essay. Granting organizations often ask very specific questions of their applicants with regard to their artistic mission. Read the questions carefully and rewrite them on a sheet of paper. Clearly answer each question in your own words. Avoid waxing poetic or overwriting a question as too much verbiage may confuse your answer.
Give your draft to a friend or colleague for review. A friend or colleague will ask questions to clarify certain points. They may also help you correct grammar and spelling mistakes.
Fill out financial forms. Calculate the expenses for your project and report them accurately on the provided forms. Round up your totals to the nearest whole number. Be honest and fair in your estimation of cost.
Add an audio example of your music. The example should showcase your prior work in traditional music. Consider including a video file of your performance work as a musician. Sometimes a grant is written when a project is already under way; if this is the case, include a sample of the current project.
Add letters of recommendation. Not all grants will require a letter of recommendation. In the event you are required to submit a recommendation, take full advantage of the opportunity by asking a former teacher or successful peer.
Review your grant packet. Many grants are very particular about the arrangement of applications. Review the organization of your packet and check for any mistakes within the forms or the essay portion.