AFM Local 500

MPTF

The Music Performance Trust Fund was established in 1948 as a nonprofit independent public service organization whose mission includes contributing to the public knowledge and appreciation of music, as well as making music a part of every child’s life experience. Headquartered in New York City, the tax-exempt MPTF, operating under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, evolved from a landmark collective bargaining agreement between the American Federation of Musicians and the major recording companies of the day.

Today the MPTF is a vital organization that brings music to the public and supplements the income of musicians, all at no cost to those receiving this precious gift of music. Funds are made available by MPTF to sponsor performances for community events, outdoor park concerts, libraries, senior citizen centers and museums, as well as educational performances throughout North Carolina by a wide variety of jazz, classical, chamber, symphonic and other ensembles.

Most applications that are approved receive funding at 50% of the cost of the event. However, there are some scenarios in which MPTF will fund 100% of the cost. Those are:

  • February: Black History Month
  • March: Women’s History Month
  • April: Jazz Appreciation Month
  • June: Juneteenth
  • Music Education Events
  • Live Streamed Events

To qualify for assistance, the event must be absolutely free and open to the public; no donations, no fundraising. All requests will be reviewed for approval, and recommendations will be forwarded to MPTF in New York City. All requests must be received in writing no later than 30 days prior to the prospective event.

There must be a cosponsor for every MPTF-sponsored performance. We accept various cosponsor federal tax classifications such as: C corporation, S Corporation, LLC’s etc. Cosponsors include local government, parks programs, chambers of commerce, and business in that want to enhance the quality of life in their cities. If necessary and appropriate, the cosponsor is also expected to provide things like venue, seating, programs, publicity, and sound equipment. After the concert takes place, the MPTF will send a check to the cosponsor for them to distribute to individual musicians.

If you would like to apply or have any additional questions, please contact vp@afm500.org. Applicants, please fill out a proposal worksheet and attach it to your email. More than one date and time is not required. Neither is the Tech Support unless you intend to live stream.

If you intend to use your own cosponsor, have them read and sign the Terms and Conditions and include that along with a completed W-9 with the cosponsor’s EIN. If you do not have a cosponsor with their own EIN, you can still get approved. Just leave those lines blank on the Proposal Worksheet and we will connect you with a Local 500 member who can act as cosponsor.

Points to Remember:

  • Music must be the main reason for the event.
  • The concert must be free and open to the public, with no condition for admittance.
  • There must be no donations solicited before, after, or during the performance.
  • There must be no recording (video or audio) of a performance.
  • Music must not be used for any fundraising activity no matter how worthwhile the project.
  • Music must not be part of a religious service, seminar, clinic, etc.
  • At least one member of your group must be an AFM member.