Presenter Consortium for Jazz

A presenter consortium consists of an applicant that is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) partnering with 1 or 2 partner presenters that collectively engage one to three jazz ensembles to perform for their respective audiences.

The ensemble(s) will present in-person concerts or streamed performances for each presenter’s audience. 

• The ensemble(s) must be presented by each presenter in the consortium. 
• Presenters can be located within the same U.S. state or territory but must serve distinct audience communities such as different neighborhoods, towns, cities, or regions.  
• The applicant must be a current CMA member with an organization level membership. 
• The applicant must be a 501(c)(3) organization or otherwise eligible for charitable contributions for federal income, estate, and gift-tax purposes. The applicant must show proof of 501(c)3 status.  
• Performances must be public, accessible, and inclusive. A public performance is one that takes place in a venue or digital setting open to general audiences, not just invited guests or personal networks. This includes live-streamed concerts, as long as they are publicly viewable.  For the purposes of this grant, conferences do not qualify as public events.  

A consortium project is an in-person or livestreamed performance presented by the applicant and one or two partner presenters, in collaboration with one to three jazz ensembles. 

• Performances are not required to be on consecutive dates. 
• The applicant may collaborate with one or two partners listed on the grant to market, manage, and present the project. 
• The applicant and the partner presenter(s) listed on the grant are responsible for keeping track of and following any radius clauses required by their organization or the ensembles they are partnering with. 
• Partner presenters are not required to be 501(c)(3) organizations. 

A consortium project is an in-person or livestreamed performance presented by the applicant and one or two partner presenters, in collaboration with one to three jazz ensembles. 

• Performances are not required to be on consecutive dates. 
• The applicant may collaborate with one or two partners listed on the grant to market, manage, and present the project. 
• The applicant and the partner presenter(s) listed on the grant are responsible for keeping track of and following any radius clauses required by their organization or the ensembles they are partnering with. 
• Partner presenters are not required to be 501(c)(3) organizations. 

Chamber Music America gives priority to projects that demonstrate community impact. Community impact:  

• Creates more access to jazz chamber music. 
• Fosters a sense of respect and appreciation for jazz chamber music. 
• Creates opportunities for ensembles and presenters to engage with current and new audiences. 

Examples of community impact can include: 

• Advancing or highlighting cultural richness and creativity of a community. 
• Fostering collaboration between ensembles, presenters, or other organizations and the communities they serve.
• Outreach and/or engagement with audiences that are underrepresented or underserved by existing programs. 

Consortia that have received CMA funding in the past three grant years (since 2023) are not eligible for 2026 Presenter Consortium for Jazz funding. However, past participants can apply for funding with a new set of partners.  

For example, the ABC Festival received a grant in 2023, it cannot apply in 2026 with the same consortium partners, but it may apply with new ones.  

Current grantees should also look at the “Eligibility – For current grantees.” 

Eligible applicants: 

• Must be presenting organizations based in the U.S. or its territories. 
• Must be located in distinct audience communities, such as different neighborhoods, towns, cities, or regions.
• Must be 501(c)(3) organizations.  
• Must be a current CMA member with an organization level membership. 
• Must have no outstanding financial obligations to CMA. 

Ineligible requests include projects that: 

• Require a fiscal sponsor 
• Involve consortium partners who appear on more than one application 
• Request funding for artist fees other than those for ensemble musicians and their guest artists 
• Request funding for capacity building or general operating support (administrative expenses directly related to the project may be included in the project budget) 
• Are private or fundraising events 
• Are primarily focused on arts education 
• Include fees for student musicians, faculty, or administrative staff salaries 
• Include classes or workshops for music students 
• Involve music for dramatic works (staged or un-staged) 
• Are intended as incidental music for other media 
• Request funding for recording costs 
• Request funding for commissioning fees 
• Are submitted by individuals, ensembles, or organizations with outstanding obligations to Chamber Music America 

The jazz ensemble(s) selected by the applicant: 

• Must be based in the U.S. or its territories 
• Must consist of 2–10 professional musicians, including any guest artists (student groups are not eligible)  
• Must primarily perform jazz music in one of its multifaceted styles, with improvisation as an integral part of its composition and performance 
• Are not required to be CMA members  

Applicants with an active Presenter Consortium for Jazz grant may not apply.   

Past Presenter Consortium for Jazz and New Jazz Works grantees and news about their work can be found at News Archive | Chamber Music America. Presenters can contact CMA staff for additional information. 

The following expenses are allowed if they are directly related to the project: 

• Ensemble and guest artist fees  
• Concert production costs (lighting, sound, cartage, etc.) 
• Streaming production costs 
• Direct promotion, marketing, and advertising expenses 
• Travel and hotel, per diem 
• Administrative expenses directly related to the project 

Grants will cover 100% of eligible expenses, up to $15,000 per applicant. No matching funds are required. If a project costs more than $15,000, the applicant must describe how they will pay for the additional expenses. The applicant receives all grant funds and is responsible for the distribution to consortium partner presenters as needed for the project. 

All Presenter Consortium for Jazz grant projects must take place between January 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. 

Please Note: Grant funds are considered taxable income. Grantees must comply with all applicable city, state, and federal laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations regarding income reporting.  

Applicants must hold a current CMA organization level membership. 

Ensembles and organization partners do not have to be CMA members. 

Audio Upload 

A jazz ensemble audio sample is required and must be uploaded to the online application. The following guidelines apply: 

• The sample should be no more than 4 minutes in length 
• The sample must feature works for small jazz ensembles (2-10 musicians) 
• The sample should demonstrate the ensemble’s performance level and must feature either the full ensemble or at least 50% of its musicians 
• Solo works are not recommended; duos must submit a work featuring both partners 
• Accepted file types: .mp3 and .m4a 
• Studio-quality recordings are not necessary, but audio must be clear and recorded within the past two years 
• Excerpts of longer works are acceptable 
• Recordings may come from live concerts, studio or home recordings, CDs, or online releases 

Other Required Uploads 

• Project budget using CMA’s required budget template 
• Proof of 501(c)(3) status for the applicant 
• Marketing sample, such as a social media ad, poster, or flyer 

Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) 

A Memorandum of Understanding is required for each project and must document the intent to collaborate between the applicant, partner presenter(s), and ensemble(s). 

A sample MOU can be downloaded here: 

• Sample MOU PDF 

Applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, September 25, 2025.  

Award notifications will be made in late December.

CMA uses the online application platform Submittable. Visit cma.submittable.com to create a free Submittable account if you do not already have one.  

CMA recommends saving your application draft in an offline document as a backup. To retain your progress in the platform, click “Save Draft” at the bottom of the form before exiting. You can return to your saved application by logging into your Submittable account.  

The application will close promptly at 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at least 24 hours in advance of the deadline to avoid any last-minute complications.  

• CMA recommends that you save your draft in an offline document as backup.  
• To save the work you have done on your application, you must click SAVE DRAFT at the bottom of the form before exiting.   
• You can return to your saved application to continue working on it by following the log-in instructions.  

To submit an application:  

• Visit cma.submittable.com and click on “Presenter Consortium for Jazz”  
• Complete all required fields, including text boxes, the Funding Request, and Audio Sample information  
• Prepare your audio samples, marketing sample, and MOU attachments  
• Save audio files as: Ensemble Name-Audio 1; acceptable file types: mp3, m4a   
• Upload the audio files, marketing sample, and MOUs to the application 
• When complete, sign and date your application  
• Click “Submit” ; you will receive a confirmation email 

Presenter Consortium for Jazz applications are reviewed by an independent panel of jazz professionals. CMA staff and board do not score or select applicants. 

Written Application – 60% of total score 

The panel will review: 

• The project description  
• The project’s timeline and detailed plan for completing the project within the grant period  
• How the project will advance the impact within the applicant’s audience community  
• The applicant’s strategy for reaching target audiences, including a detailed marketing plan 
• The rationale for selecting the proposed ensemble, and how participation in the consortium will benefit the ensemble;  
• The rationale for selecting the proposed partner presenter(s), and how participation in the consortium will benefit the organization  

Audio Review– 10% of the total score 

Audio submissions should demonstrate alignment between the ensemble’s sound and the project’s artistic goals. 

Budget Review – 30% of the total score 

The budget should reflect a clear understanding of industry-appropriate rates and demonstrate that the project can be executed successfully with the proposed resources. If the total budget exceeds $15,000, applicants must explain how additional costs will be covered. 

Grantees are responsible for: 

• Serving as the primary contact for CMA and managing all grant activity on behalf of their presenting organization 
• Receiving and managing their grant funds 
• Ensuring timely payment to the ensemble(s)  
• Filing a final report and all associated documents 
• Providing marketing materials showing that each partner organization presented the ensembles 
• Reporting audience numbers for partner presenters’ performances 

Grant funds will be disbursed as follows: 

• 100% of the award will be disbursed after signing the CMA grant contract

All reporting must be completed to remain in good standing with CMA 

Please Note: Grant funds are considered taxable income; grantees must comply with all applicable city, state, and federal laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations regarding the reporting of grant funds.  

Grantees may not receive funds through a fiscal sponsor.

CMA collects data on race and ethnicity in connection with its grant programs, membership, and surveys conducted with partner organizations. CMA has adopted standardized practices for collecting, storing, and reporting race and ethnicity data in order to ensure consistency and accuracy.  

These standards align with data collection practices used by CMA’s funders, federal agencies, and entities such as the U.S. Census Bureau.  

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