The MusiCounts TD Community Music Program supports community organizations across Canada that deliver music education to young people.

This reimagined program is structured around two funding streams, including mentorship for all recipients. The Sustain Stream supports organizations with established music programs that are ready to strengthen or expand their impact, while the Develop Stream supports organizations building the foundation for a new, early-stage, or not-yet-stable program.

Applications are open and close on August 18. Begin by submitting an Intake Form here.

The MusiCounts TD Community Music Program includes two grant streams, designed to support community music programs at different stages.

1) Sustain Stream

For organizations already delivering a consistent, established music program.

• Grants up to $20,000 will primarily support organizations in acquiring new musical instruments and equipment.
• Up to 30% of funding may also be used for targeted capacity-building expenses that help strengthen, expand, or increase the impact of an existing program.

2) Develop Stream

For organizations launching or stabilizing a music program.

• Grants up to $30,000 support both instruments and capacity-building expenses needed to build a secure, future-forward foundation for music education at their organization. Applicants may allocate funding flexibly between these categories
• Applicants must include a clear delivery plan that shows how the program will remain viable beyond MusiCounts support.
• Funding is delivered in two installments; second installment is contingent on the grantee demonstrating progress toward agreed-upon outcomes and success indicators.

All grant recipients will also participate in a structured mentorship program. Recipients will be paired with experienced mentors who, over the course of one year, will provide practical guidance on program development and organizational sustainability. Applicants will identify their specific mentorship needs as part of the application, enabling MusiCounts to pair each grant recipient with a mentor that is directly aligned with grantees’ goals, challenges, and long-term success.

Prospective applicants can begin by completing a short Intake Form.

This form helps MusiCounts understand your organization, your current music programming, your goals, and the type of support you may need. MusiCounts will review the intake form, assess eligibility, and invite eligible organizations to complete the application stream best suited to their program stage and needs.

This program is open to registered charities and non-profits in Canada that deliver, or plan to deliver, music programming for youth in their communities.

Priority will be given to organizations that:

• Serve youth facing barriers to accessing music education
• Support Indigenous, newcomer, racialized, low-income, rural, remote, socioeconomically-disadvantaged, or otherwise underserved communities
• Offer music programming that reflects the needs, interests, identities, and cultures of the youth they serve
• Demonstrate a clear need for support and a commitment to long-term impact

1) Instruments and Equipment

These are the physical tools needed to deliver music programming, which may include:

• Musical instruments
• Recording and production equipment
• Instrument accessories, storage, repairs, or maintenance

2) Capacity-Related Expenses

Capacity-related expenses help your organization create, deliver, improve, or sustain your music program. In a community music context, this means investing in the people, partnerships, systems, and supports that make the program possible. This may include:

• Program staffing, facilitators, or clinician fees
• Training or professional development
• Program design, curriculum, or culturally relevant programming
• Honoraria for Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or cultural practitioners
• Youth participation supports, such as transportation or fee subsidies
• Community outreach or partnership development

Full details about eligible and ineligible expenses are available in the Program Guidelines.

Please contact the MusiCounts Programs Team at applications@musicounts.ca or schedule a meeting with a member of the MusiCounts team here.