Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
Levitt Foundation Providing $30,000 Matching Grants for 2023, 2024 and 2025 SPRINGFIELD, IL. – The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation has notified the organizers of the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series that they have been selected as an inaugural recipient of the 2023-2025 Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards, a new, three-year matching grant to continue the free series’ momentum in cities nationwide.
The Levitt Foundation partners with communities to activate underused outdoor spaces, creating welcoming, inclusive destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life. In 2022, the Levitt Foundation’s national Levitt AMP network of 18 locations, including Springfield, produced nearly 200 free summer concerts around the U.S.
Levitt AMP Springfield was created in 2018 when it won its first $25,000 matching grant from the Levitt Foundation after a nationwide vote. The first season was held in 2019 on the Y Block, the vacant block adjacent to the Illinois Governor’s Mansion, with two goals: to help determine the future of the block and to bring people together to celebrate the diversity in our community.
Springfield was a top-five finisher in the nationwide vote for their second season in 2020, but it was canceled due to the COVID pandemic. Thanks to a bridge grant program from the Levitt Foundation, organizers pivoted to provide community services including free dinners and free music lessons to underserved students that summer. The series returned in 2021 as one of the first large events held successfully in the Springfield area with safety
protocols in place. The third season of ten, free concerts ended a month ago on August 4.
“It is very satisfying that the work we’ve done to attract great music, strong partners, and fun, complimentary activities each year, and to create the most welcoming, inclusive event we possibly can, has been recognized by our friends at the Levitt Foundation. Being able to tap into their nationwide network, and their ongoing education on topics like Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and creative placemaking, is a huge gift for all of
the organizing partners as well as the Springfield community,” said Lisa Clemmons Stott, who has served as series coordinator for the first three seasons.
The current organizing partners include Downtown Springfield Inc, Springfield Area Arts Council, Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation Inc, Springfield Park District, Springfield Jaycees, and the City of Springfield. Local sponsors provide another $50,000 in cash donations and more than $100,000 of in-kind support to build out the infrastructure on the vacant lot and pay the artists, led by contributions by presenting sponsor PNC Bank, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, US Bank, and the Illinois Realtors. All of the sponsors’ contributions ensure that the concert is free and welcoming to all, no matter their socioeconomic status.
Returning Levitt AMP grant recipients were selected through a Levitt Foundation staff review process, based on the projected impact of continuing the Levitt AMP concert series, the feasibility of implementation over three years, demonstrated need, community support, as well as overall alignment with Levitt AMP goals and the Levitt Foundation’s values. The Levitt Foundation also considered the following factors, amongst others, in selecting
returning Levitt AMP grant recipients:
● The characteristics of the public space where the free concert series is to be
presented.
● A programming philosophy that is inclusive, family-friendly, and represents a wide
range of music genres.
● Outreach strategies that are inclusive of all members of the community.
● A proven track record of presenting professional quality concerts or community
events, or partnering with an individual or organization that has done so.
People can recommend performers for the 2023 season by filling out an online form at https://forms.gle/3nuABmqqjPQrAByc8. To get involved in the next season of Levitt AMP Springfield as a volunteer or sponsor, email levittamp@downtownspringfield.org.
