Shultz Fund Project Grants
Forecasted
Shultz Fund Project Grants support individuals and organizations through projects and programs that increase participation by people of color in bluegrass music and foster inclusion in the genre.
Funder: IBMA Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Grants for one or more qualified activities; scholarships also available
Summary: Supports activities that increase participation by people of color in bluegrass music.
Key Information: Priority goes to applicants demonstrating inclusivity and service to underrepresented populations in bluegrass.
Description
The IBMA Foundation’s Arnold Shultz Fund supports projects, programs, activities, and individuals that increase participation by people of color in bluegrass music. Established in 2020 and supported by donors, the fund prioritizes inclusivity and service to diverse populations underrepresented in the genre. Its application accommodates both project or program grants and scholarships.
The fund honors Arnold Shultz (1886–1931), an African American guitarist and fiddle player from western Kentucky who profoundly influenced Bill Monroe and the development of bluegrass. Shultz mentored Monroe and gave him his first professional music jobs. The program connects recognition of that legacy with opportunities for greater participation in bluegrass today.
