Levitt Festival Grants Now Open for 2026! Support for Free Outdoor Music Festivals Across the U.S.

Scott

McDowell

December 11, 2025

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FAI 2024

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Folk Alliance International is excited to share that applications are now open for the Levitt Foundation’s 2026 Festival Grants—a national initiative supporting free outdoor music festivals that bring communities together through the power of live performance.

The Levitt Foundation has a long history of championing place-based music experiences, and this annual grant program helps festivals create joyful, accessible spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather. If your organization presents a festival rooted in community, inclusivity, and artistic excellence, this is a funding opportunity worth exploring.

For 2026, the Levitt Foundation is offering grants of up to $5,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor festivals. The program aims to expand access to high-quality concerts, uplift local arts ecosystems, and support professional musicians–goals that align deeply with our mission at Folk Alliance International.

What the Levitt Festival Grants Support

Levitt festival grants are designed to bolster festivals that make free, outdoor live music available to the public. Eligible applicants may request support for festivals taking place between in 2026.

To qualify, festivals must:

Be presented by a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Take place outdoors in a public space
Be free and open to the public
Feature performances by professional musicians who are fairly compensated
Demonstrate a commitment to high-quality programming, community engagement, and accessibility

Funding may be used toward artist fees, production needs, community engagement programming, or other festival expenses that support the delivery of free outdoor music performances. These grants are intentionally flexible, allowing organizations to scale or enhance their festivals in ways that best serve their community, and utilized for things like expanding the lineup, strengthening outreach, or broadeningprogramming.

Why This Program Matters

Free outdoor festivals are more than just entertainment, they’re opportunities to build community, strengthen local identity, activate public spaces, and connect people across cultural and generational lines.

Levitt-supported festivals offer residents and visitors a chance to gather, celebrate a range of music traditions, and enjoy shared experiences rooted in creativity and connection.

In 2025, the Levitt Foundation supported 23 festivals nationwide, spanning a wide range of genres and artistic visions. Festivals took place in city parks, downtown plazas, riverfronts, and other urban and rural public spaces—each with its own unique character and community impact.

These events showcased local, regional, and touring artists, encouraged family-friendly participation, uplifted community voices, and created inclusive cultural moments that are increasingly vital in today’s landscape. The program makes a tangible difference in the lives of artists, audiences, and the many communities that rely on accessible arts and culture offerings.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is ideal for:

Community arts organizations
Cultural nonprofits
Presenters of annual outdoor music festivals
Organizations seeking to launch or expand a free outdoor festival
Festivals focused on folk, roots, global, Americana, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, and other genres represented in our Folk Alliance community

Both emerging and established events are encouraged to apply. Whether your festival draws a few hundred attendees or brings thousands together each year, the Levitt festival grants program values impact, intention, and community connection.

If your work centers on arts access, culturally vibrant neighborhoods, and fair artist compensation, your festival is likely a strong fit.

Key Dates & Timeline

Applications due:
Friday, January 30, 2026
3:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm PT

Applicants will be notified on March 3, 2026, regarding funding decisions. Festivals occurring at any point in the calendar year are eligible for consideration.

We recommend starting early to allow adequate time for preparing your application andarticulating your festival’s community impact.

How to Apply

To learn more and begin your application, visit: levitt.org/festivals

The website includes full program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and the application. If you are considering applying, review all information closely to ensure your festival aligns with the program’s objectives and criteria.

Strengthening Community Through Music

At Folk Alliance International, we believe in the transformative power of music to create understanding, build connection, and celebrate cultural heritage. The Levitt festival grants program supports these values by empowering organizations to offer music free of barriers, in the heart of their communities.

We encourage eligible members of our network, and any nonprofit presenting free, outdoor music festivals, to explore this opportunity. Funding like this strengthens the ecosystem for folk and roots music nationwide and ensures that artists and audiences continue to have vibrant spaces to gather.

If your organization is planning a festival for 2026, now is the time to apply. We can’t wait to see the creativity, community spirit, and diverse musical traditions that next year’s grantees will bring to life.