Grant Writer - Climate & Music Advocacy Program

Music Declares Emergency US’s mission is to inspire artists, music industry professionals and organizations to stand together and declare a climate and ecological emergency, and call for an immediate governmental response to protect all life on Earth. We believe in the power of music to activate fans to accelerate the cultural change needed to create a sustainable future.

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Music Declares Emergency is seeking an experienced grant writer to support our AMPLIFY program—a groundbreaking initiative that transforms concerts into sustained climate action by connecting artists, audiences, and high-impact grassroots groups around the world.

How AMPLIFY Works

Music Declares Emergency partners with touring artists, festivals, and venues to connect fans directly to trusted grassroots organizations working on climate justice and related global challenges Top Artists AMPLIFY List .xlsx. By integrating short, compelling calls-to-action into concerts—supported by QR codes—we convert inspiration into volunteer sign-ups.

Our Technology & Implementation

MDE provides artists with a QR code that can be integrated into performances or shared on social media in a variety of ways, depending on their preference Top Artists AMPLIFY List .xlsx. Artists might

• Include it in a short one-minute video before taking the stage (videos MDE produces for artists)
• Display it during the show on a clipboard or laminated sheet at the merch table
• Use a large sign or banner visible to audiences
• Share links through social media channels Top Artists AMPLIFY List .xlsx
  
  

The AMPLIFY artist link automatically routes fans to relevant, vetted grassroots organizations based on country and tour context, allowing one reusable link to work across multiple countries.

Proven Results

Our model has demonstrated that when artists invite their audiences to act, a meaningful percentage responds. On a recent tour, the band AJR used a QR code before their show that generated 35,000 fan actions including letters to legislators, voicemails, and advocacy sign-ups—proving that artists can effectively mobilize fans for policy change Top Artists AMPLIFY List .xlsx.

Artists like Billie Eilish, Childish Gambino, OneRepublic, Green Day, and Neil Young have already endorsed climate action through Music Declares Emergency, with many actively touring.

Conservative Impact Projection

Based on our current artist roster with less than 100 artists signed up to the AMPLIFY Program, the volunteer conversion rate (

2-5%, based on AJR's 35,000 actions on 2024 tour), the projected volunteers recruited is 2M+ for local grassroots climate groups

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Research and identify foundation, corporate, and government grant opportunities aligned with climate advocacy, arts/culture, and youth mobilization
• Write compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials
• Track application deadlines and maintain grant calendar
• Assist with grant reporting and stewardship for existing funders
• Help document program outcomes and impact metrics for funder communications
• Support development of scaling strategy to expand artist recruitment beyond current 100-artist roster Top Artists AMPLIFY List .xlsx
  
  

Qualifications/Requirements

Required

• 1+ years of successful grant writing experience
• Proven track record of securing foundation or corporate grants ($10,000+)
• Strong research and writing skills
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Comfort with virtual collaboration tools
  
  

Preferred

• Familiarity with music industry or arts nonprofits
• Knowledge of youth engagement and volunteer mobilization strategies
• Understanding of collective impact and movement-building frameworks
  
  

What Volunteers Gain

• Measurable Impact Directly support a program positioned to recruit 2M+ volunteers for grassroots climate action through existing live music infrastructure
• Professional Development Expand your portfolio with a high-visibility climate + arts initiative
• Network Building Connect with artists, activists, and leaders in the climate and music sectors
• Flexibility Work remotely on a schedule that fits your availability
• Recognition Listed as a supporting grant writer on program materials (with permission)
• Reference Strong reference for future opportunities based on successful collaboration
  
  

Organization Mission

Music Declares Emergency is a global movement of artists and music industry professionals harnessing the power of music to put the climate emergency on the front page of culture, with over 4,000 recording artists and 16 country chapters Top Artists AMPLIFY List .xlsx.

Why This Matters

The 2M volunteers recruited through AMPLIFY will be connected to local, country-based grassroots climate organizations that

• Advocate for renewable energy policies at municipal and national levels
• Organize community solar and energy efficiency programs
• Push for transportation electrification and public transit expansion
• Campaign for corporate fossil fuel accountability
• Support just transition initiatives for fossil fuel workers
  
  

Research shows that grassroots volunteer mobilization is one of the most effective drivers of policy change on climate—more impactful than individual consumer choices alone. By funding AMPLIFY's expansion, we're investing in infrastructure that converts fan engagement into sustained political power through the existing touring ecosystem.

Music Declares Emergency website.

Existing US AMPLIFY program which will be expanded later this year.