Arnold Shultz Fund Grants (IBMA Foundation)

About this program

The IBMA Foundation's Arnold Shultz Fund provides grants to increase participation in bluegrass music by people of color who are underrepresented in the genre, supporting festivals, camps, scholarships, instrument provision, fellowships, educational programs and individual study or teaching. In 2026 the fund awarded $18,500 and two Deering Goodtime banjos across 13 grants (the program has awarded over $103,000 since 2020 and additional support for the Black Banjo Reclamation Project); the next application deadline is January 31, 2027, and qualified individual applicants may inquire year-round. Eligible applicants include individuals, organizations, and programs that promote bluegrass participation with an emphasis on underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; application details, sponsorship, or donation information is available at bluegrassfoundation.org or via info@bluegrassfoundation.org.