HUDSON – Music has the power to inspire students, spark creativity, and bring communities together. That’s the vision behind the St. Croix Valley Foundation’s Music Education Competitive Grant Program, accepting applications now through Oct. 24, 2025.

Music Education Grants range from $500 to $5,000 and support a wide variety of music programming in our K-12 schools—from purchasing instruments and sheet music to hiring guest artists, hosting joint concerts, and funding innovative classroom projects. In 2025, the Foundation will award a total of $40,000 to schools with the most compelling proposals.

Established in 2002 by longtime music advocate Nyda Swanson, the Music Education Endowed Fund provides annual, competitive grants to public and private K-12 schools across the Foundation’s six-county region—including Washington and Chisago Counties in Minnesota, and Burnett, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties in Wisconsin.

To be eligible, the applicant must be a public or private school located in the St. Croix Valley Foundation’s six-county service area, and applications must be submitted through the St. Croix Valley Foundation’s online grant portal.

Since the first grants were awarded in 2003, the St. Croix Valley Foundation has distributed 292 Music Education Grants totaling more than $700,000. A volunteer panel of music educators and community members reviews applications to ensure funds go to schools with the greatest need, innovation, and impact.

"So many requests are innovative, while others hope to replace aging instruments that can't be repaired," said Kris Tjornehoj, chair of St. Croix Valley Foundation’s Music Education Grant panel. "We want to support music teachers seeking to strengthen or improve their programs. Receiving a Music Education Grant recognizes the commitment of that teacher and school to improve their program. We hope these grants help inspire both teachers and students to pursue a lifelong love of music."

“Music has the power to lift spirits, unite people, and inspire hope,” said Angie Pilgrim, Vice President of Community Impact at the St. Croix Valley Foundation. “By supporting music education, we’re not just funding programs — we’re helping young people discover their voices and creating harmony that impacts our entire community.”

To learn more or to apply, visit scvfoundation.org/grants/music-education or contact Grants & Scholarships Manager Heidi Herron at hherron@scvfoundation.org.

 To learn more about how your own legacy gift could support future music education grants, contact President and CEO Heather Logelin at hlogelin@scvfoundation.org.

The St. Croix Valley Foundation serves a six-county region spanning Washington and Chisago Counties in Minnesota and Polk, Burnett, St. Croix, and Pierce Counties in Wisconsin. Partnering with donors, local community affiliates, and nonprofits, the foundation stewards and grows endowments that fuel vital programs—today and for generations to come. Through strategic grantmaking and strong community partnerships, the St. Croix Valley Foundation is helping build a more vibrant, resilient, and generous region. www.scvfoundation.org.

Submitted by St. Croix Valley Foundation