The National Endowment for the Arts has three programs for organizations to support music education. Access to Artistic Excellence provides K-12 music grants that range from $5,000 to $150,000, so long as the organization enhances artistic creativity (which can include music education), preserves cultural heritages across the nation and helps make music and the arts more available in communities.
Challenge America Fast-Track has $10,000 grants available for projects that get the arts to underserved populations. Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth provides grants that range from $5,000 to $150,000 to foster arts and music education in schools and community organizations.
Funding for school music programs is available through the Music Matters grants from the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation. For 2010, they focus on educational reform for music programs in schools and independent settings across the U.S. These K-12 music grants are made on a one-time basis each year, range between $1,000 and $12,000 and go to a school or program that already has music in its curriculum.
There are three grants offered by the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. The Melody Program provides K-12 music grants specifically for established instrumental programs scheduled in a school's normal day curriculum. The schools must be able to prove that they are in financial need, and the grant requests must be for $10,000 or less. The Foundation's Special Projects Program focuses on music education scheduled for before and after the regular school day. The recipients must serve low-income families and have music programs that are at least three years old. The Michael Kamen Solo Award is for specially gifted music students attending grades 8 to 12 who cannot afford quality musical instruments.
The ASCAP Foundation provides funding to school music programs for young students who demonstrate a desire to become songwriters and composers. The average grant is about $2,500 and can be renewed annually. The foundation also provides scholarships and awards to promote talent development and music education to nurture new music creators.