Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
OVERVIEW: Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation does not give cash grants. It makes donations of both new and refurbished instruments to under-funded music programs in school districts across the country. It also partners with school districts in a commitment to help keep these music programs robust and viable for the long term.
IP TAKE: Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation donates musical instruments to school districts in all fifty states, but they receive over 1,000 applications a year, so the competition is tough. Grantseekers should make sure their school has the highest need before applying, because these donations are meant for schools with no resources for music programs.
PROFILE: Established in 1996, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation was created by Michael Kamen, who wrote the score for the 1995 film starring Richard Dreyfuss. It seeks to “[keep] music alive in […] schools by providing vital support services to school districts, and new musical instruments to underfunded music programs nationwide, giving under-represented youth access to the many benefits of music education, leading them to success in school, and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music.” The foundation prioritizes low-income communities and K-12 programs with little to no music budget.
Grants for Music
All of this funder’s grantmaking focuses on K-12 music education, offering several funding opportunities below:
The foundation’s Instrument Grant applications are by invitation only. In order to be eligible, a school must serve at least 65% economically disadvantaged students. A school must also have an established music program with an existing inventory of instruments, and an instrumental music teacher who has been on staff for at least two consecutive years. Grants are not given to programs in their infancy with no resources whatsoever.
Music (and Arts) Education District Support Services (MEDSS) works to “enhance and sustain quality, sequential music education programs in their schools.” Current MEDSS Partner Districts include Aiken County Public Schools, Atlanta Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, District of Columbia Public Schools, Houston Independent School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, Metro Nashville Public Schools, New York City Department of Education, Orange County Public Schools, San Diego Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, and Tennessee Department of Education.
Grantseekers can view a full list of schools who receive instrument donations here.
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