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ACM Lifting Lives

ACM LIFTING LIVES® KICKS OFF 20th ANNIVERSARY WITH GRANT CYCLE PRIORITIZING HEALING THROUGH MUSIC THERAPY INITIATIVES

ACM LIFTING LIVES® KICKS OFF 20th ANNIVERSARY WITH GRANT CYCLE PRIORITIZING HEALING THROUGH MUSIC THERAPY INITIATIVES

The 2026 grant cycle is now open and will prioritize nonprofit organizations delivering innovative and impactful music therapy initiatives designed to improve mental, physical, and emotional health outcomes for individuals and communities in need

SUBMISSIONS WILL BE OPEN WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

ACM Lifting Lives® is celebrating two decades of improving lives through the power of music. To honor this legacy, ACM Lifting Lives® announces the 2026 Grant Cycle. ACM Lifting Lives is an organization that passionately supports innovative and impactful music-based therapeutic interventions that improve mental, physical, and emotional health outcomes for neighbors of the community in need. This grant cycle will support nonprofits seeking to alleviate suffering and promote healing by increasing access to life-changing music therapy programs. 

The award range will be approximately $5,000 to $20,000. The 2026 grant cycle will support non-profit organizations working in one of three focus areas: 

  • Clinical Music Therapy: Programs operating in hospices, hospitals, and specialized camps, etc.
  • Music-Based Therapeutic Interventions: Examples include programs supporting alternative behavioral approaches in primary and secondary schools, or focused on segments of the community such as military and veterans, etc.
  • Mental Health for the Industry: Initiatives providing direct therapeutic services to touring professionals, songwriters, and other industry workers facing mental health struggles.

Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible organizations can access the grant guidance and application portal at ACMLiftingLives.org. All submissions must include a detailed project budget and clear, measurable outcomes. Funding will not be available for music education, fundraisers, lobbying, building and capital campaigns, endowments, or debt retirement. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. For more information on how to submit, along with further details on eligibility requirements and access to the application portal, visit ACMLiftingLives.org.

Submissions are open starting Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 at 9 am CST and close on Friday, August 7th, 2026 at 5 pm CST.

Full details on the grant cycle can be found HERE; Submission link can be found HERE

ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music, harnessing the strength of the Country Music industry to provide aid to those in need. Past recipients include Country Music Foundation (Nashville, TN), Musicians On Call, (Nashville, TN), Rock to Recovery (Laguna Beach, CA), The Angel Band Project (Saint Louis, MO), The Texas Supremacy of Music and Arts Conservatory (Dallas, TX) and more.