• Youth music groups may be aided by private or federal grants.band playing music in concert image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  Due to the reduction in money given to school music programs in the U.S. many private groups have tried to fill the arts education gap by giving support to after school or independent music programs. Some of these groups are recognized parts of American popular culture like the alternative rock group Phish and music and entertainment channel VH1. Donors like these help provide resources for programs in great need of support.
  
  

VH1 Save the Music

• Since 1997, VH1 Save the Music has given over 1700 public schools new musical instruments to aid their music programs. The goal of the non-profit is to support the return of instrumental music instruction to U.S. public schools. Research illustrating the great benefits that music education provides children inspired VH1 to create the program. The program was also initially inspired by John Sykes, a former chair of the organization, who saw the great need for musical instruments at a Brooklyn public school at which he volunteered.
  
  VH1 Save the Music
  Broadway, 20th Floor
  New York, New York 10036
  Phone: 212-846-7600
  Website: http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/about
  
  

The Mockingbird Foundation

• The Mockingbird Foundation was created by fans of the music group Phish to provide support for music education for youth. They emphasize grants for programs that serve youth in marginalized settings, such as low income areas and foster homes and prisons. Their one time grants range from $50 to $5000. The foundation is interested in giving money to groups with creative approaches that have collaborative aspects to their work and low overhead. Grants are usually only given to groups with a 501(c)(3) non-profit designation or are part of a sponsor who has such a designation.
  
  The Mockingbird Foundation
  Jack R. Lebowitz c/o Lemery MacKrell Greisler
  60 Railroad Place, Suite 502
  Saratoga Springs, New York
  12866-3033
  Website: http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/guidelines.html
  
  

The National Endowment for the Arts

• The National Endowment for the Arts grants money to various arts organization throughout the country, including groups that deal with youth and music.The Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth grant gives from $5000 to $150,000 to organizations that are community or school based to improve arts education. In this program, students are exposed to an art form, studying with the help of a guide, such as a teacher or instructing artist. The students then perform and are assessed according to state or national standards.
  
  National Endowment for the Arts
  1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  Washington, D.C. 20506
  Website: http://www.nea.gov/grants/apply/GAP11/LITA.html