Live Music Society has awarded over $290,000 to 34 small music venues across the United States in their largest-ever Toolbox grant round, pushing their 2024 funding total past $1 million. Since its founding in 2020, the organization has provided $4.1 million in total grant funding to support independent music venues.

The Toolbox grants help small venues address practical needs with long-term impact, including:

• Accessibility improvements
• Sound and lighting upgrades
• Equipment for live music production training
• Stage lighting systems

Notable 2024 grant recipients include:

• Make.Shift Arts Space (Bellingham, WA) - Audio system upgrade and LED lighting installation
• The Holland Project (Reno, NV) - Production equipment for artist support and training programs
• Groundworks (Tucson, AZ) - Equipment upgrades and volunteer training programs

"These grants ensure that small venues remain vital spaces for creativity, learning, and connection," says Live Music Society board president Gavin Berger. The organization has expanded its reach to include first-time recipients in Nevada, Kansas, and Georgia.

The complete list of 34 grant recipients spans 16 states, including venues like:

• ISSUE Project Room (Brooklyn, NY)
• Jazz St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)
• Black Cat (San Francisco, CA)
• The Jazz Gallery (New York, NY)
• The Pocket (Washington, DC)
• Kuumbwa Jazz (Santa Cruz, CA)
• SPACE (Portland, ME)

The initiative mirrors the UK's Music Venue Trust, working to preserve and support grassroots music venues that foster local talent and provide community access to live music.

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