Whether it is beat-making and DJ programs, Métis fiddling, recording studios, or traditional Indigenous drumming, educators are reimagining what is possible in music class. The MusiCounts Slaight Family Foundation Innovation Fund takes this transformative thinking from dream to reality by providing schools with up to $20,000 to sustain or implement these innovative approaches to music education.

• The MusiCounts Slaight Family Foundation Innovation Fund celebrates pushing the limits of the music classroom. Funds from this program may be used to support culturally-relevant and/or technology-forward approaches to music education through the purchase of instruments, equipment, and resources, as well as the compensation of specialist external clinicians to work with students at the school.
• No music program? No problem. Any school in Canada is welcome to apply to support an existing music program, or a music program that doesn’t exist yet.
• Teachers, administrators and/or school support staff may prepare a grant application on behalf of their school.
• In 2025, MusiCounts will disburse $300,000-$400,000 through the MusiCounts Slaight Family Foundation Innovation Fund.
• Applications are now open. Complete the Intake Form here.

• Download the Program Guidelines
• Add the application deadline reminder to your calendar
• Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to understand which MusiCounts School Music funding program is right for you

Educators are increasingly seeking support for music programming that is responsive to changing student needs & interests, and looks & sounds as diverse as the Canadians who make up our communities. The MusiCounts Slaight Family Foundation Innovation Fund will help kids across the country make music that celebrates diverse traditions, and embraces current technologies.

This grant program is open to all schools in Canada — in particular, schools that do not have the instruments, equipment, and resources needed to offer an inclusive and sustainable music program for students. The MusiCounts Slaight Family Foundation Innovation Fund will support music programs that fall within the following three categories:

• Culturally-specific programs: including (but not limited to) Indigenous music education, steelpan, African percussion, Métis fiddling, etc.
• Technology-forward programs: including (but not limited to) music production, digital music creation, hip hop, etc.
• Contemporary music ensembles: including (but not limited to) rock band, popular music ensembles, etc.

Each fall, schools may apply to the MusiCounts Slaight Family Foundation Innovation Fund. Applicants are asked to provide information about their school and community, the materials they hope to purchase should their application be successful, and why these requested instruments, gear, or clinicians are needed.

Once all applications are received, our team of adjudicators review all submitted materials very carefully. Adjudicators are asked to identify the schools that:

1. Are in most urgent need of new musical equipment
2. Serve high-needs/under-represented student communities
3. Have strong plans in place to appropriately utilize the requested materials

In 2024, we allocated $1 million to 74 schools across Canada through the MusiCounts School Music Funding Programs.

Please reach out to the Programs team at applications@musicounts.ca with any questions that haven't been answered within the Program Guidelines or FAQ.