Apply Now: Music For Good Funding Program (Canada)

Deadline: 17-Nov-2026

Music For Good is accepting grant applications to support live music and technical services for eligible events held in the City of London. The program provides up to $2,000 per event, with funding paid directly to musicians and sound technicians to make public and community events more accessible, engaging, and culturally vibrant.

Program Overview

Music For Good provides financial support for live music and technical services at eligible events in the City of London.

The program is designed to help community groups, non-profits, and registered charities include live music in public and community events. It supports arts, culture, heritage, and community engagement by making performances more accessible to the general public.

Program Purpose

The purpose of the program is to support community events by covering the cost of musicians and sound technicians.

The program helps eligible organisations include quality live music and technical production in their events without placing the full financial burden on event organisers.

Key Focus Areas

The program focuses on live music, community participation, and cultural engagement.

Key focus areas include:

• Arts and culture
• Heritage activities
• Accessible live music
• Public events
• Community events
• General population engagement
• Music performance support
• Technical service support
• Sound technician support
• Financial assistance for eligible events
• Support for musicians and performers

Funding Amount

A maximum of $2,000 is available per event.

The funding may be divided between musicians and technical support.

Funding limits include:

• Up to $1,500 for musicians
• Up to $500 for sound technicians
• Maximum support per event: $2,000

Payments are made directly to performers and technicians.

Who Is Eligible?

The program is open to organisations delivering eligible events in the City of London.

Eligible applicants include:

• Community groups
• Non-profit organisations
• Registered charities

Applicants must be organising an event that takes place within the City of London.

Event Eligibility

The funding is intended specifically for events held in the City of London.

Eligible events should include a public or community benefit and should use live music to support engagement, cultural participation, or community connection.

Events may include:

• Community gatherings
• Cultural events
• Public celebrations
• Heritage events
• Non-profit events
• Charity-led activities
• Community arts events
• Events that include accessible live music for the general population

What the Grant Can Support

The grant can support direct costs related to live music and technical services.

Supported costs include:

• Musician fees
• Performer fees
• Live music costs
• Sound technician fees
• Technical support for event sound
• Audio support needed for live performances

The program does not provide general event funding. It is specifically intended to support music and technical services.

Application Timeline

Applications should be submitted between 4 and 18 weeks before the event date.

Applicants should plan ahead and submit within this required window to allow time for review and coordination.

Key timing points include:

• Earliest application time: 18 weeks before the event
• Latest application time: 4 weeks before the event
• Applications outside this period may not be considered

Payment Process

Payments are made directly to performers and technicians.

This means approved funding does not usually go to the applicant organisation for later redistribution. Instead, Music For Good provides payment directly to the musicians and sound technicians involved in the event.

Why This Program Matters

Live music can make community events more engaging, inclusive, and memorable. However, many community groups and non-profit organisations may not have enough funding to pay musicians and sound technicians fairly.

Music For Good helps remove this barrier by supporting the cost of live performances and sound services. This allows community events to include professional music while supporting artists and technicians.

The program also strengthens public access to arts, culture, and heritage activities within the City of London.

How the Program Works

The program works by providing event-based funding for music and technical services.

The process includes:

1. An eligible community group, non-profit, or registered charity plans an event in the City of London.
2. The applicant identifies the need for live music and sound technician support.
3. The application is submitted between 4 and 18 weeks before the event date.
4. The request is reviewed for eligibility.
5. Approved funding may cover up to $1,500 for musicians and up to $500 for sound technicians.
6. Payments are made directly to the performers and technicians.
7. The event takes place with supported live music and technical services.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a clear application that explains the event, the community benefit, and the need for live music and technical support.

Application Preparation Steps

1. Confirm applicant eligibility
   Ensure the applicant is a community group, non-profit organisation, or registered charity.
2. Confirm event location
   The event must take place within the City of London.
3. Check the application timeline
   Submit the application between 4 and 18 weeks before the event date.
4. Describe the event
   Explain the purpose of the event, expected audience, community benefit, and how the event supports arts, culture, heritage, or public engagement.
5. Identify music needs
   Provide details about the musicians, performers, or live music component requested.
6. Identify technical needs
   Explain whether a sound technician is needed and what technical support will be required.
7. Prepare the budget request
   Ensure the request does not exceed $2,000 per event, with up to $1,500 for musicians and up to $500 for sound technicians.
8. Provide performer and technician details
   Since payments are made directly to performers and technicians, applicants should be ready to provide accurate payment and contact information where required.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid submitting incomplete or late applications.

Common mistakes include:

• Applying less than 4 weeks before the event
• Applying more than 18 weeks before the event
• Requesting more than $2,000 per event
• Requesting more than $1,500 for musicians
• Requesting more than $500 for sound technicians
• Applying for an event outside the City of London
• Applying as an ineligible organisation
• Requesting general event funding instead of music or technical support
• Not clearly explaining the community benefit of the event
• Not providing enough detail about the musicians or technicians

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should clearly show how live music will improve the event and benefit the community.

Applicants should:

• Apply within the required timeline
• Clearly describe the event purpose
• Explain how the event benefits the public or community
• Show how live music supports arts, culture, or heritage engagement
• Provide clear details about performers and technicians
• Keep the budget within the funding limits
• Make sure the event location is clearly within the City of London
• Explain why financial support is needed
• Ensure all performer and technician information is accurate

Key Terms Explained

Music For Good

Music For Good is a grant program that supports live music and technical services for eligible events in the City of London.

Live Music Support

Live music support refers to funding used to pay musicians or performers who provide music at an eligible event.

Technical Services

Technical services refer to sound and audio support provided by technicians to ensure live performances are delivered properly.

Community Event

A community event is an activity designed to bring people together, support local engagement, and provide public or community benefit.

Registered Charity

A registered charity is an organisation officially recognised as charitable and operating for public benefit.

Non-Profit Organisation

A non-profit organisation is an organisation that operates for community, social, cultural, or public purposes rather than private profit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Music For Good?

Music For Good is a grant program that supports live music and technical services for eligible events in the City of London.

Who can apply?

Community groups, non-profit organisations, and registered charities can apply.

Where must the event take place?

The event must take place within the City of London.

How much funding is available per event?

A maximum of $2,000 is available per event.

How much can be used for musicians?

Up to $1,500 may be allocated for musicians.

How much can be used for sound technicians?

Up to $500 may be allocated for sound technicians.

When should applications be submitted?

Applications should be submitted between 4 and 18 weeks before the event date.

Are payments made to the applicant organisation?

Payments are made directly to performers and technicians.

What types of events can be supported?

Eligible events may include public, community, cultural, heritage, charity, or non-profit events that include live music and take place in the City of London.

Conclusion

Music For Good provides practical support for community groups, non-profits, and registered charities that want to include live music in eligible City of London events. By offering up to $2,000 per event for musicians and sound technicians, the program helps make arts, culture, heritage, and community events more accessible, engaging, and professionally supported.

For more information, visit The London Community Foundation.