The Florence Nelson Leadership in Music Grant

The CFC Florence Nelson Leadership in Music grant will be launched in 2025 to honor Florence Nelson’s illustrious career as a performing artist and legacy as a leader in arts administrator for female musicians. Florence performed as the piccoloist for the New York City Opera and other opera and ballet companies in the New York City arts scene. Florence's legacy extends beyond her exceptional music career. Her groundbreaking role as the first woman elected to a national office in the American Federation of Musicians underscores her trailblazing spirit. She addressed gender diversity within union leadership by founding the Organization of Professional Women in Music (OPWM) and orchestrated mentoring programs to encourage women to take leadership roles in an industry historically resistant to female pioneers. Florence holds honorary officer titles in the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians and was named Secretary-Treasurer Emerita of the American Federation of Musicians upon her retirement.

Grant Award

The CFC will award $2,000 biennially to one flutist to support a project proposal of their choosing. 

Timeline

The grant application will open on January 1st with a submission deadline of February 1st. The grant will be awarded for the first time in March/April 2025. Subsequently, it will be awarded biennially in March/April of odd-numbered years (2027, 2029, etc. )

Purpose and Criteria 

This biennial project-based grant provides financial assistance to flutists pursuing careers in music including performance, teaching, music business, and arts administration. Special consideration will be given to applicants interested in leadership positions, musician unions, and entrepreneurship.  Grant recipients will demonstrate a record of success in at least two of these fundamental principles: Leadership,  Performance, and Advocacy.

Eligibility 

• There is no age limit for this grant. 

• Applicants must have CFC Membership at the time of application. 

• Applicants must have an undergraduate or graduate degree in music with flute as their major instrument. 

• Applicants must live and work in the US. They may hold American citizenship or otherwise permanent residency.

Application Requirements

To apply for the Florence Nelson Grant please provide the following documents: 

• Application form: which provides basic information to identify the applicant and project. (Through Wild Apricot)

• Narrative statement should be a maximum of two (2) double-spaced pages and include the following:

• 1. Objectives and significance of the proposed project.
  2. Description of how the project relates to the fundamental principles outlined for this grant (Leadership, Performance, and Advocacy).
  3. The short and long-term benefits of the project.
  4. A timetable of deliverables.
  5. A detailed budget and explanation of how the funds will be used.

• A two-page resume stating the applicant’s full legal name, date and place of birth, current residence address, email, education, and professional experience. 

• A lightning-talk video featuring the applicant’s personal explanation of the project and its significance. Please submit your video as an “unpublished” YouTube link. We recommend that the video length be no less than 3 minutes and no more than 5 minutes. The videos is to be on a single YouTube link. It must be unlisted and named with the last and first names of the candidate followed by FNGRANT. For instance, Underwood_Susan_FNGRANT 

Selection Criteria

• Applicant must not have previously received this award.

Preference will be given to proposals which provide clear evidence of success in at least two of these fundamental principles:

Leadership, Performance, and Advocacy.

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