Institutional Grants FAQs
About MFS INSTITUTIONAL grants:
1. How many applications does MFS fund every year?
The number of projects funded varies each year, depending on the number of applications received, the specifics of the projects applied for, and the amount of money available for grants in a given cycle. Not all applications will be funded.
2. Do you require work samples or site visits?
The MFS grant application does not request work samples and does not include a site visit in its grant process. Please see the MFS Institutional Grants page on our website to review the current grant requirements.
3. Will you look at anything besides what we submit in the application?
The MFS grant application asks for information regarding your organization and your project, including questions about the project’s budget and your organizational finances. All questions must be answered, and submitted via the grant application page. Please note that most questions have a word limit and/or a file size limit; we prefer that you not include hyperlinks to other material.
Eligibility:
1. Do we have to have an MFS member on our board or staff in order to receive a grant?
No, MFS membership is not a requirement of the grant, nor is it considered in grant evaluations.
2. I want to apply for an individual project – can I do that?
Individuals are not eligible to apply for MFS Institutional grants.
3. Does my organization have to be a nonprofit in order to apply?
Yes. Only nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, or organizations applying through a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, are eligible to apply.
4. My organization is based in Wilmington, but our project takes place in Center City Philadelphia. Can I apply?
No; only organizations whose legal place of business is in Pennsylvania, within the 5-county region (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties) are eligible to apply. Please also note that all project activities proposed for MFS funding must take place within the city of Philadelphia.
5. Our organization is located in Bucks County, and the project activities are split between Philadelphia and Doylestown. Can we apply?
Your organization may be able to apply for funding to support the project activities taking place in the city of Philadelphia. Please contact us at info@musicalfundsociety.org to discuss whether an application is appropriate.
6. Our organization just began activities last year. Can we apply?
Your organization must have at least 2 years of 501(c)(3) status and at least 2 years of programming prior to January 2026 in order to apply.
If your organization has been long established but recently gained 501(c)(3) status, that status has to have been in place for at least two years in order to be eligible for MFS support, regardless of how long its activities have been happening.
7. Our project involves Philadelphia area composers but we are bringing an ensemble in from outside of Philadelphia to perform it. Is it eligible?
Yes. We fund projects that involve Philadelphia area musicians, and composers are also musicians!
8. Our project activities will begin in April 2026 and will be complete in January 2027. Can we apply?
No. All proposed project activities must take place between 6/1/26 – 5/31/28.
9. I’m still not sure if my project is what you’re looking for. Should I apply anyway?
Before applying, please review the MFS Institutional Grants page, the MFS Institutional Grants FAQs, and the descriptions of recently funded projects (see the sidebar menu here). If you’re still not sure, please contact us at info@musicalfundsociety.org. We’re happy to talk about what you’re planning and whether an application is appropriate.
Applying for a grant:
1. What if I want to add something to my application after the deadline?
Unfortunately, we’re not able to accept or consider any material after the deadline (for the current cycle, the deadline is 5 PM ET on March 2, 2026).
2. Can I save my application in your system and finish it later?
It’s not possible to begin an application in the system and save it for later completion. Please prepare all the required documents outside of the application page, so that everything is ready to upload for submission in one visit. Additionally, please be sure to clearly label PDF attachments as requested (for example, IRS Determination Letter). Note that the online application will not permit a submission unless all required documents have been uploaded.
3. I already submitted my application, but now I’d like to change something. Is that possible?
It may be possible, but only in very limited circumstances – you will need to contact us at info@musicalfundsociety.org to discuss. No changes are allowed after the deadline has passed.
4. I’m still waiting for some information that I want to include in my application – can I submit what I have now, and send the rest when I have it?
We’re only able to accept complete applications, so please wait to submit until you have everything ready for submission. Keep in mind that all material must be submitted via the application portal, by the deadline (for the current cycle, the deadline is 5 PM ET on March 2, 2026).
5. How much can I ask for in my grant request?
MFS grants are typically modest in size, ranging from $2,000 – $6,000; the amount depends on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) the number of applications and the funds available in a given grant cycle.
Remember that your requested grant amount must fall within 10%-50% of the project budget. Because the maximum amount awarded is $6,000, your project budget may not exceed $60,000.
6. What if my project budget is larger than $60,000?
The project that you apply for may not exceed $60,000. However, you may apply for support for a portion of a larger project. If that is the case, your narrative should explain how that portion fits into the larger whole.
After you’ve applied:
1. I’ve submitted my application. How do I know you received it?
You should receive an email that your application was received at the time of your submission. If you don’t receive the confirmation email, please contact us as soon as possible at info@musicalfundsociety.org.
Please note that it’s your responsibility to ensure that your application is complete before you submit it – we’re not able to notify you if something is missing.
2. When will I hear if my application was funded?
Award notifications are typically sent out in the late spring or early summer; funds are usually disbursed over the summer or early fall.
3. If I receive a grant, when will I need to file a final report?
Information about final reports, including deadlines, will be included in the grant award materials. Please note that all MFS grants require a final report detailing the activities of the project and specifics of how the MFS grant money was expended. Reports must be received by the deadline included in the grant award materials; organizations not complying with reporting requirements will not be eligible for future funding.
I still have questions about applying for an MFS Institutional Grant. What should I do?
Send us an email and we will get back to you with an answer, or we’ll schedule a time to talk.
Contact us at: info@musicalfundsociety.org