Guidelines

The basic purpose of the Foundation is to further and promote the performance, preservation, dissemination and public appreciation of serious music in general and the music and writings of Virgil Thomson in particular.

Eligibility

Applications may be submitted by publicly supported non-profit organizations that have a history of substantial commitment to serious music. Organizations must have been in existence for at least two years at the time of application. Applicants may request either general operating support or support for special projects. The Foundation's application form is available in several formats on the Application page on this site.

Criteria

The following criteria will be applied in evaluating grant proposals:

• Preference will be given to large organizations performing contemporary American music in general and the works of Virgil Thomson specifically. The Foundation is particularly interested in imaginative and inventive programming of Mr. Thomson's music, especially of less frequently performed works that would benefit from more exposure.

• Special projects relating to an individual work, to an individual composer other than Virgil Thomson, or for a specific performance will not be considered.

• Whether granting the request will tend to encourage and improve the public knowledge and appreciation of the music.

• The contributions the organization has made in the past and those it is likely to make in the future.

• The responsibility and effectiveness of management.

How to Apply

Application materials should include the following:

• completed application form (available on this web site)

• a letter briefly summarizing the application and indicating the amount and type of support requested;

• if project support is requested, a description of the project, with a breakdown of all project costs and anticipated funding from other sources;

• a history of the organization listing the principal activities in which it has been engaged during the past two years and those in which it proposes to engage;

• financial statements for the past two years (audited, if available);

• a budget, showing anticipated expenses and revenues, for the current and forthcoming fiscal years;

• a list of support during the past two years from foundations, corporations and government agencies and anticipated support for the current season;

• a list of members of the Board of Directors and their principal affiliations;

• a copy of the IRS letter confirming tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and determining that the applicant is not a private foundation;

• if the applicant is a "presenter" or performing organization, a list of performances with repertoire for the last two years and performance plans for the future, including identification of the performing artists or organizations. Please do not send repertoire in the form of program brochures, but rather list the repertoire of each concert with the concert's date;

• please do not staple or bind materials.

Deadline:

Applications are now reviewed once per year in the first half of the year. To be considered in the grant round for a given year, applications must be postmarked on or before January 31 of that year.

Applications and inquiries should be addressed to (NOTE CHANGE):

Grants Manager
Virgil Thomson Foundation, Ltd.
254 West 31st Street, 15th Floor
New York NY 10001

Telephone: 212-461-6956
Fax: 212-810-4567

E-mail: grantsmanager@virgilthomson.org

Revised 4/12/08

 
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