Earth Calling Grant Awards
Request for proposal

Earth Calling is a creative movement rooted in nature, community, and cultural healing. This grant initiative powers immersive, Earth-centered events that uplift environmental consciousness, spark collective imagination, and inspire social transformation.

Earth Calling is a signature program of Music Matters, a nonprofit using music and culture to spark meaningful action for emotional and environmental resilience. Through this program, we offer in-kind production support, venue access, and marketing amplification to artists, organizations, and cultural leaders ready to make climate action beautiful, accessible, and joy-filled.

While we are not offering direct financial support at this time, Earth Calling Grants provide all the essential tools needed to bring your vision to life—from venue, sound and stage to community storytelling.

ALIGN WITH OUR vision

Earth Calling’s Vision: We act as a bridge between culture and nature, with events designed to awaken our connection to nature, build community, and bring us back in sync with the rhythms of the Earth.

Music Matters’ Vision: We harness the transformative power of music and culture to spark meaningful action for personal and planetary wellbeing. Our programs cultivate emotional and environmental resilience by providing communities with resources and tools to face the interconnected challenges of social and ecological justice.

What We Offer

  • Each selected applicant will receive in-kind event support:

Earth Calling Grants – Creative Support Packages

We are awarding 5 total in-kind grants across 5 distinct event types. Each category includes dedicated support, a curated venue, production consultation, and amplification through Earth Calling’s platform and partnerships.

Earth Calling Grants are currently in-kind support awards. This means selected projects will receive access to venues, production support, technical assistance, and other non-monetary resources needed to bring their event to life.

At this time, we are not offering direct cash or fiscal grants. However, we will thoughtfully consider the unique needs of each project and may provide limited financial support on a case-by-case basis where critical to the success of the event.

top-tier event Award

Audience: ~300
Venue: Solotech Studios
Ideal For:

  • Established artists, collectives, or cultural organizers

  • Projects with strong audience mobilization (IRL or online)

  • Clear community impact, storytelling, and marketing strategy

In-Kind Support Includes:

  • Solotech Studios venue rental

  • Professional lighting, sound, and production crew

  • 12 hours of production and logistics consultation from Earth Calling team

  • Event promotion through Earth Calling’s platform and sponsor network

  • Permitting and vendor liaison support

Nature-Based Immersive Event Award

Audience: 50–100
Venue: Butterfly Mountain
Ideal For:

  • Land-based healing practitioners and eco-collectives

  • Leaders in permaculture, mental health, or ecological ritual

  • Projects rooted in Earth wisdom and nature immersion

In-Kind Support Includes:

  • Outdoor venue access at Butterfly Mountain

  • Setup and logistics support for nature-based programming

  • 10 hours of planning consultation and onsite coordination

  • Permaculture site access and material support

  • Amplification via Earth Calling’s communications team

Film Screening Award

Audience: 40–50
Venue: Solotech Studios Screening Room
Ideal For:

  • Filmmakers or curators presenting short films, features, or environmental documentaries

  • Projects aligned with Earth Calling’s climate and culture themes

In-Kind Support Includes:

  • Screening space rental at Solotech

  • A/V tech setup and projection support

  • 4 hours of coordination and storytelling consultation

  • Preview and tech check support

  • Promotional boost via Earth Calling digital platforms

Intimate Event Award

Audience: 30–50
Venue: The Nest, Hollywood
Ideal For:

  • Facilitators, spiritual leaders, small collectives, or educators

  • Community dinners, artist talks, workshops, or healing circles

In-Kind Support Includes:

  • Use of The Nest venue

  • Sound, projection, and light support

  • 4 hours of event logistics coaching and on-the-ground assistance

  • Access to Earth Calling’s community network and outreach support

Sound System Grant Award

Audience: 1–10
Venue: The Nest, Hollywood
Ideal For:

  • Creatives, digital storytellers, or media makers developing aligned content

  • Projects that uplift Earth Calling’s mission and center cultural, ecological, or community-rooted themes

In-Kind Support Includes:

  • Use of The Nest venue

  • Production support including basic lighting, audio, and visual resources

  • 4 hours of content coaching, logistics planning, and strategy

  • Access to Earth Calling’s community network and amplification of content through its platforms

All Awardees Receive:

  • Venue Rental & Permits

  • Lighting, Sound & AV Equipment

  • Consultation & Event Support

  • Visibility & Platforming

Eligibility

  • Based in Los Angeles or surrounding areas

  • 18+ individuals and organizations able to receive grant

  • BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and youth-led proposals highly encouraged

  • Must demonstrate alignment with Earth Calling’s vision and have experience or a clear approach to environmental, climate, or social justice work

Our Evaluation Criteria

Mission Alignment

Does it embody Earth Calling’s values of healing, culture, and climate imagination?

Reach & Relevance

Can the applicant mobilize their intended audience meaningfully and provide public benefit to the environment and social impact?

Creative Vision

Is the event original, bold, or beautiful in its purpose or design?

Experience & Capacity

Has the team produced successful events or activations in the past?

Production Feasibility

Can this project be executed well with the support provided?

Environmental & Social Impact

How will this project shift hearts, minds, and systems towards nature and social care?

Timeline

We’re currently accepting applications for our first Earth Calling grant cycle.

Applications are open from July 13 to August 15, 2025

Selected events will be announced in early September

Events will take place from September through December 2025

Our process:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by the Earth Calling team

Within 2–3 weeks of applying, shortlisted applicants are invited to a short virtual interview

Final decisions are made after the interview

Selected applicants are notified and onboarded to begin pre-production

Please apply for one event at a time. Once you receive a decision, you’re welcome to submit another proposal.

How to Apply

Click the Application Link below, then:

Select your preferred grant type

Describe your event vision

Share who you are, who you serve, and how you’re benefiting the public 

Outline your production needs

Upload or link any supporting materials (past work, visuals, decks, etc.

Apply now

Ready to bring your vision to life?

Questions?

Reach out to our team at hello@earthcalling.co

We’re here to support your application and make this process as welcoming as possible. Please also find FAQs below.


Follow @earthcalling.co for updates, inspiration and announcements!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for an Earth Calling Grant?
Artists, collectives, cultural organizers, and community-based organizations with a vision for an Earth-centered event rooted in healing, creativity, and climate justice. Applicants must be based in or deeply connected to Los Angeles.

Is this a cash grant?
Earth Calling provides in-kind grants, not cash. This includes venue space, production support, equipment, consultation, and strategic amplification. On a case-by-case basis, small operations stipends may be considered depending on project needs.

What types of events are eligible?
We’re looking for creative, community-centered events like performances, installations, nature-based ceremonies, film screenings, workshops, or any immersive experience that weaves together art, healing, and the environment.

Can I apply if I’ve never produced a large event before?
You may submit one application at a time for a single proposed event. After we’ve reviewed your proposal and given you a response, you're welcome to submit a new application for another event or idea. This ensures we can give each proposal the time and care it deserves.

What do you mean by “in-kind support”?
We offer venues, technical equipment, production consultation, event coordination, and access to our marketing, design, and sponsorship network — all at no cost to you. These resources help bring your vision to life without needing a large budget.

Can I apply more than once?
You may submit only one application per cycle, but you’re welcome to reapply in a future cycle if you are not selected or if you have a new project idea.

When will I hear back?
We aim to respond to all applicants within 4 weeks of submission. Selected applicants will be invited to an interview before final decisions are made.

Do I need to have my full plan finalized before applying?
No, but you should have a clear concept and enough details for us to understand your vision, your needs, and your capacity to make it happen. We’ll help shape the rest with you if selected.

What if I need to adjust my event later?
We’re flexible and collaborative. If your plans shift after selection, we’ll work with you to adjust timelines, logistics, or support — as long as the project stays aligned with Earth Calling’s values and capacity.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

To ensure fairness and transparency in the Earth Calling Grant Program, Music Matters requires that all applicants disclose any personal, professional, or financial relationships with Music Matters or the Earth Calling team, including staff, contractors, reviewers, and partner venues.

Music Matters staff, Earth Calling team members, and grant reviewers will recuse themselves from scoring or decision-making on any application where a conflict of interest exists. Likewise, applicants found to have undisclosed conflicts may be disqualified.

All applicants must confirm they have no known conflicts, or disclose them in the application. This helps us maintain an equitable process for all. 

Please find the full Conflict of Interest Policy here.