Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants are for schools or other groups organizing educational presentations for students – generally $500 per school assembly. Mini-Grants are made possible in part by an endowment from the estate of Richard  Barnhart. Thanks to Timothy P. Connell, sponsor of Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants during 2021-22 and 2022-23. 

Application Tips

• An application may be submitted for  funding requests of up to $500 for educational in-school programs that present bluegrass music.
• While the IBMA Foundation appreciates all forms of music related to bluegrass, including mountain music, old-time, early country, Cajun, blues and a host of other styles which influenced the development of bluegrass music, we must give priority to funding presentations with a central focus on bluegrass music.
• Live ensemble demonstrations are encouraged, along with a brief overview of the history and pioneers of bluegrass music, the instruments used and their role in a band, the vocal harmony structure used in bluegrass music and bluegrass music today.
• In the “Brief Description of Presentation” field of the application, we’re looking for 75-150 words describing the program to be presented, including major points it will cover and what instruments will be demonstrated.

Please include artist program presentation materials with your application and email  to: info@bluegrassfoundation.org. 

Good luck, and thank you for sharing bluegrass music with your students!