How-To: Fundraising Language & Talking Points

The Story of Make Music Day

In 1982, Jack Lang and his staff at the French Ministry of Culture dreamed up an idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They imagined a day where free music would be everywhere: street corners, parks, rooftops, gardens, and storefronts. Unlike a typical music festival, anyone and everyone would be invited to join and play music or host performances.

The event would take place on the summer solstice, June 21, and would be called Fête de la Musique. (In French, the name means both "festival of music" and "make music.")

The Fête has turned into a true national holiday: Paris shuts down on the summer solstice and musicians take over. Almost 8% of France (5 million people) have played an instrument or sung in public for the Fête de la Musique, and 53% of the country (35 million people) comes out each year to listen.

Four decades later, the holiday has spread throughout the world and is now celebrated in more than 1,000 cities in 120+ countries—including right here in Vermont.

What is Make Music Vermont?

Benefits for Musicians

Use these talking points when explaining how Make Music Vermont supports artists:

For All Musicians

• Experience the joy of performing and being part of a larger musical community
• Perform even without the skills or connections to find gigs at regular venues
• Connect with Vermont's vibrant music scene

For Amateur Musicians

• Play for the biggest crowds of their lives
• Collaborate with and play alongside professional musicians through special participatory projects
• Build confidence performing in welcoming, low-pressure settings

For Professional Artists

• Showcase music to new audiences who would never normally hear their work
• Reach people beyond typical concert-going demographics
• Connect with local venues for future booking opportunities

For Audiences

• Come out from under their headphones and experience live music up close
• No pressure to stay—with no money spent and no walls, listeners can wander and discover unfamiliar genres risk-free
• Performers and audience members co-create the experience together, making new friends and supporting one another

Benefits for Vermont Communities

Use these talking points for municipal leaders, business districts, and community organizations:

Grassroots & Inclusive

• A community-driven event organized mainly by committed volunteers at the grassroots level
• Ensures all voices from all communities are heard and given a platform
• Crowdsourced festival that gives agency to all Vermonters to participate and create their own experiences

Economic Impact

• Local business districts attract customers by hosting musicians in front of shops and restaurants
• Downtown areas like Randolph, Montpelier, and Burlington see increased foot traffic
• Attracts visitors from other parts of Vermont to experience each community's cultural richness

Community Building

• Neighbors turn ordinary sidewalks, town greens, and covered bridges into impromptu stages and social meeting points
• Programs in dozens of public spaces reach everyone who uses them—thousands of Vermonters
• Transforms spaces in the hearts and minds of the people who experience them
• Neighborhood connections continue to grow long after June 21st

Institutional Partnerships

• Large cultural institutions (like the Flynn, Chandler Center) can collaborate with small community organizations
• Broadens programming and reaches new audiences across the state
• Inspires regular performances in nontraditional public spaces year-round

Statewide Connection

• Make Music Vermont is part of Make Music Alliance, supporting organizers worldwide
• Vermont showcases its local music scene through the nationwide listings platform
• Access to live-streaming capabilities and national PR support on June 21

Benefits for Sponsors & Supporters

Use these talking points when approaching potential funders:

Diversifying Your Funding Streams

For sustainable Make Music Vermont funding, pursue a mix of sources:

Sample Pitch Language

One-Liner

Make Music Vermont brings free, live music to every corner of the Green Mountain State on the summer solstice—celebrating musicians of all backgrounds and bringing communities together.

Elevator Pitch

On June 21st, Make Music Vermont transforms our state into one big stage. From front porches in Randolph to downtown Burlington, from covered bridges to general stores, musicians of all ages and abilities share their music for free. It's grassroots, it's inclusive, and it connects Vermonters through the universal language of music. We're part of a global movement celebrated in over 1,000 cities worldwide.

Grant Application Paragraph

Make Music Vermont is the statewide chapter of Make Music Day, the annual global celebration of music held on June 21st. Our free, participatory festival invites musicians of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to perform in public spaces across Vermont—from town greens and general stores to farms and covered bridges. Working with local chapters statewide, we provide a platform for amateur and professional musicians alike while bringing live music directly to Vermont communities. In [YEAR], Make Music Vermont featured [#] performances across [#] Vermont towns, reaching an estimated [#] audience members. Your support helps us expand access to music, strengthen community bonds, and showcase Vermont's vibrant cultural identity.

Additional Resources

• Make Music Alliance: makemusicday.org
• Make Music VT: vt.makemusicday.org