OVERVIEW The Los Angeles Philharmonic is launching the next funding cycle of Partners in Music Learning, a regranting initiative of YOLA National and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, to support organizations in regions across the U.S. to help unite and advance creative youth development and music programs.
Grantees will receive funding for general operating support. This initiative will also build on a national leadership cohort, providing grantee organizations with a platform for shared learning and to support each other in deepening their existing programs and impact beyond the grant period.
Partners in Music Learning will provide selected grantees with awards of up to $15,000 per year, based on each organization’s budget, goals, and demonstrated needs. Funding is renewable for up to three years, based on an annual review and the grantee’s continued contribution to the cohort community. Grantees will be announced in September 2025.
Organizations in specific U.S. regions with existing music and youth development programs that have served the community for a minimum of 3 years are encouraged to apply. The funding partner has made a commitment to serving organizations in the following states or regions which are the only areas eligible to apply: Alaska, Arizona, Southern California, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES - Support high-quality teaching and learning within existing creative youth development and music programs.
- Nurture a national cohort of organizational leaders, teachers, and artist mentors.
- Create and share a variety of teaching and programming models.
- Provide a platform (through both live training sessions and digital resources) for the cohort to share best practices, exchange ideas, and collaborate to address current needs and challenges.
CORE VALUES
ARTISTRYDelivering high-quality musical experiences that contribute to the full development of the young people we serve, including musical and socio-emotional growth.
YOUTH & COMMUNITY VOICE
Bringing the voice of those we serve to the center of our practice and creating a true sense of belonging by designing programs that consider the many ways that participants make personally relevant connections to the music.
Actively engaging young people in conversations about race, power, identity, and intersectionality, with a goal of developing practical tools for combatting the socio-economic forces that challenge many of the young people and families we serve.
Creating a culture of learning, collaboration, and reflection, nationally and in our own communities, to highlight the unique strengths and interests of the vast network of organizations and individuals seeking positive social change through arts education.
Providing teaching artists, artist mentors, and organizational leaders with the best possible training and resources; together, pursuing a deeper understanding of our students and communities, and broadening our perspectives on teaching practice.
THE PARTNERS IN MUSIC LEARNING PROGRAM INCLUDES: - Financial support for programming and general operations
- Professional development and a peer network for sharing best practices in music and creative youth development programming
- Access to shared organizational leadership and programming resources
- Travel stipends and participation in the YOLA National Accelerator annual convening
GRANT CRITERIA
Eligibility Organizations in specific U.S. Regions* with existing music and youth development programs that have served the community for a minimum of 3 years are encouraged to apply. Applicants must also demonstrate the following:
- Need: this grant will make a significant difference in the organization’s ability to deliver high quality instruction and programming.
- Capacity: strong leadership and a commitment to collaboration, building teacher capacity, and youth development.
- Existing Music Programs: has an existing program(s) (3+years) and is committed to continue implementation of high-quality music instruction and diverse learning opportunities for students in underserved communities.
- Commitment to Core Values: a commitment to the core values as defined above: Artistry, Youth and Community Voice, Social Justice, Partnership, and Professional Development); and
- Partnership: a willingness to fully participate in this learning community through an honest and open exchange of ideas.
*The funding partner for this program has made a commitment to serving organizations in specific U.S. regions where music engagement opportunities for students may be limited by socioeconomics, geography, or related factors. During this inaugural year of the program, only organizations in these states or regions will be eligible to apply: Alaska, Arizona, Southern California, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Application TimelineApplications Available: July 15, 2025
Application Deadline: August 15, 2025
Announcement of Partnership Grantees: September 30, 2025
Selection Process Eligibility and applications will be reviewed and scored by an independent panel of experts and educators from the field of music and creative youth development. Each application will be evaluated based on commitment to the core values and primary objectives of the program, including capacity building and partnership potential. To ensure due diligence for grantees, applicants may have an opportunity to engage in conversations with the selection committee to discuss their priorities, goals, and questions. The committee’s rankings and recommendations will be reviewed by the LA Phil Learning Team, who will make the final selection of grantee partners.
If you have any questions, please email yola@laphil.org