Frequently Asked Questions
TECHNICAL:
Do I need to register with Good Grants in order to apply for The Echo Fund?
Yes. Please go to musicoregon.grantplatform.com and follow the instructions.
NOTE: Good Grants registration requires a strict adherence to password character requirements: Passwords must include at least 12 characters, including a number, an upper- and a lower-case letter and a special character. Most problems with user registration involve setting up a password properly.
You can watch this brief video that walks through the Good Grants registration process.
You may also contact us: contact@musicoregon.org for additional questions. We’re here to help.
I’m having problems with my application. Can you help?
Yes! Check out this video tutorial that takes you through the application process step by step. Note that there are slight variations in applications in the years since this video was made, but the general instructions should still apply. If you still have problems, reach out to us at contact@musicoregon.org.
May I save my application and come back later to finish?
Yes. Your draft will be saved in your Good Grants account to continue when you sign back in. We strongly suggest you draft your responses separately (say, in Word or in Google Docs) and then copy/paste into the application.
PROGRAM:
Am I Eligible to Apply?
You are a working musician - A working musician is a person who receives compensation for creating and/or delivering music and can show evidence of their activities in the community and online.
Your project is independent - The Echo Fund awards grants to working musicians' independent projects. We do not fund projects that are activities of nonprofit organizations or commercial entities.
You reside in Portland - This year, the Echo Fund will distribute $120,000 in grants. The majority of funding ($100,000) is provided by The City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture, with an additional $20,000 from the proceeds of Portland Music Month. Grantees must reside in one of the following zip codes to qualify during this grant cycle: 970xx, 971xx, 972xx.
You are an individual or group - We fund working musicians who operate as individuals, sole proprietors, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), partnerships, and other legally organized entities.
You can demonstrate your tax status and legal address - Grantees must provide MusicOregon with a signed W-9 form that includes a Social Security Number (SSN), or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN) and your legal address in Oregon. Note 1: The majority of funding ($100,000) for this grant cycle will be distributed to independent, working musicians who legally reside in Portland. An additional $25,000 of funding is available to Oregon independent, working musicians who reside outside Portland. Note 2: If you do not have a tax ID, please contact us at contact@musicoregon.org for confidential assistance.
MusicOregon will consider one applicant per project. If your band has a project, designate one member to apply.
Through its Small Grants Program, the City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture's three grantmaking contractors distribute grants through Friends of IFCC, MusicOregon, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). You may apply to more than one of these providers, however, the total amount of funding received from all three partners combined may not exceed $5,000. For more information, visit Portland.gov/arts-grant
Who is not eligible to apply?
Non-musicians The Echo Fund is only open to working musicians. If you are an event producer, engineer, venue, or other individual or business working in the music industry but not creating music yourself, you are not eligible
Deejays or those who curate playlists of other artists' songs without a creative musical contribution of their own
Employees, board members, and family members of employees and board members of MusicOregon
Nonprofit organizations, commercial entities, schools, and school districts
Musicians under 18 years of age
What projects are eligible?
Projects must fit one or more of the following categories. Echo Fund prioritizes applicants who use local vendors, contractors, and musicians.
Production (tracking, session players, engineering, production, mixing, mastering, recording project management, studio rental, etc.)
Promotion (promo materials, website development, EPK, publicity, photography, videography, digital and print advertising, posters, printing, design)
Distribution (physical media replication (vinyl/CD), distribution platform fees such as Distrokid or CD Baby, mailing costs)
Resources (purchases of instruments, gear, software, performance-related equipment, pedals, amplifiers, etc.)
What projects are ineligible for this cycle?
Activities related to live performances, events and touring
Artists' personal expenses, such as rent, groceries, childcare, etc.
Paid or brokered placement on streaming playlists/platforms
Education, training, lessons, etc.
Gas, food, travel expenses
Rehearsal space rental costs
Activities that do not take place between December 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026
A project that is not related to music.
I’m a guitarist in a band that tours around the region and nationally. I live in Vancouver. Can I apply?
No. The 2025 Echo Fund cycle awards grants to Portland residents only.
I am in the process of forming a band and have some leads for gigs in the future. Can I apply?
No. This round of funding is for independent working musicians who have an established presence in the community.
I want to purchase a piece of equipment for my work musician. Can I apply?
Yes! As long as you meet our guidelines and can demonstrate that the equipment will help you level up as a musician and creator, you’re welcome to apply.
My band wants to create a live event for all ages to come together and enjoy an evening of awesome music. Can we apply?
While we love your idea, we’re not funding event projects during this funding cycle.