Community Grants

Funding for community events, projects, and publications featuring participatory dance, music, or song

CDSS grants help

create new participatory music, dance, and song events (including series, weekends, and week-long programs)
boost existing participatory series or events
train callers, musicians, singers, and organizers (including equity and anti-racism training)
encourage youth involvement
publish instruction materials (print, web, audio, video)
conduct and disseminate research on traditional dance, music, and song
sponsor attendance at non-CDSS programs for training purposes
create related endeavors that will have a lasting effect on dance, music, and song communities

When to apply

Starting in January 2026, we will review grant applications and distribute funds three times per year. Applications will still be accepted on a rolling basis; please use the dates below to find the funding period that works best for you.

Spring cycle

Application deadline: January 31
Applicants notified and funds distributed: February

Summer cycle

Application deadline: May 31
Applicants notified and funds distributed: June

Fall cycle

Application deadline: September 30
Applicants notified and funds distributed: October

Requirements for recipients

Click below for our requirements of grantees, including publicity, acknowledgement, and a follow-up grant impact report.

View Grant Requirements

Eligible applicants

Individuals and organizations promoting traditional dance, music, and/or song with English and North American roots
All are welcome to apply. Preference is given to applicants who have not previously received funding and to CDSS Members and Affiliates.

Funding requests

Up to $500 (occasional larger grants for projects with a broad impact)
For program-related expenses (callers, musicians, workshop leaders, etc.) rather than operational expenses (publicity, supplies, etc.)

For questions about the suitability of your application, contact [email protected].

Apply now

Apply Now

We’ll be in touch the month after your cycle’s application deadline with a grant decision or if we have any questions with your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email [email protected]. Thank you for the work you do to support dance, music, and song!

Recent Recipients

High Times with Balalaika—Sarah Jane Nelson

Waltham, MA
Researching Ukrainian and Russian émigrés whose folk music and dance enriched and enlivened the folk music scene in 20th century North America.
Circle Up Calling Zine

Creating a collection of square dances and thoughts toward promoting inclusivity
Brattleboro Bal Folk

Guilford, VT
Hosting a series of bal folk dances with live music
Fiddlehead Field Kids Orchestra

Campton, NH
Hosting a community Renaissance dance to showcase young musicians and callers
Housatonic Family Contra Dance

Housatonic, MA
Starting a new dance series for all ages
John C. Campbell Folk School

Brasstown, NC
Hosting a community dance series using positional calling
Moab Community Dance Band

Moab, UT
Hosting a series of workshops for new callers
Funded by the Mary Kay Friday Leadership Training Fund
Nobska Lights/S’wap Sword Dance Workshop

Woods Hole, MA
Hosting a workshop/figure swap between youth rapper sword teams and adult rapper and longsword teams
Funded by the May Gadd/Phil Merrill Fund
Traditional American Dance and Music Society

Richmond, VA
Hosting workshops for dance musicians
Funded by the Chuck Ward Musicians Training Fund
Squirrel Moon Contra Dance Weekend

Dodgeville, WI
Continuing a contra dance weekend post-COVID
Funded by the May Gadd/Phil Merrill Fund
Raise the Rafters

Rhododendron, OR
Creating a youth-oriented traditional singing event in the Pacific Northwest
Funded by the Mary Kay Friday Leadership Training Fund
RiverJam Romp

Marlboro, VT
Hosting a weekend of community dances and workshops for musicians

Past Recipients

Yuletide Frolick

Lawrence, KS
Hosting a festive dance weekend and callers’ workshop
Burlington Family Contra Dance

Burlington, VT
Creating a community family contra dance for all ages and abilities
Funded by the May Gadd/Phil Merrill Fund
The Marley Project

Michigan
Archiving the full set of historic Marley family dances, from the Vaudeville era
Funded by the Anthony Barrand Research & Stewardship Fund
Make Every Space Safer in Trad Music Communities

Nasons, VA
Creating a set of community agreements that people in our music communities can commit to
DanceFlurry Organization

Albany, NY
Participating in online diversity, equity, and inclusion training
Fiddle Orchestra of Western Massachusetts

Northampton, MA
Providing online lessons with New England musicians
Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group

Bloomington, IN
Hosting a workshop for new contra dance callers
Funded by the Mary Kay Friday Leadership Training Fund
Madison Contra Collective

Madison, WI
Hosting an open band workshop for the Madison Contra Collective Band
Funded by the Mary Kay Friday Leadership Training Fund