Music Performance Trust Fund

The Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) provides financial support to organizations that pay union wages to musicians performing concerts that are free and open to the public. Applicants (co-sponsors) for MPTF grants are responsible for direct payments to all musicians. After the performance has taken place and musicians have been paid, MPTF will send the co-sponsor organization a grant to cover up to 50% of the cost of musician wages (including pension contributions and cartage). All grant applicants must have a federal ID number (an EIN for a non-profit, small business, etc).

Local 33 serves as an intermediary between MPTF and the co-sponsor. We’re here to help applicants make sure that their performance qualifies for MPTF funds, process MPTF applications, and facilitate communication between the applicant and MPTF. You don’t have to be a Local 33 member to apply! If your organization is presenting a concert that could qualify for MPTF, or if you are a musician working with an organization that you think might qualify, please contact the Local 33 Secretary-Treasurer at local33afm@gmail.com.

In order to qualify for an MPTF grant, the following requirements must be met:

1. Music must be the main reason for the event.

2. The concert must be free and open to the public, with no condition for admittance.

3. Musician wages must be equal to or greater than Local 33’s MPTF scale (see below).

4. There must be no donations solicited before, after, or during the performance.

5. The music must not be part of a music workshop, seminar, or composers’ forum.

6. Music must not be used for any fundraising activity no matter how worthwhile the project.

7. Music must not be part of a religious service, clinic, political event or rally, school graduation, or any event that is expected to be attended primarily by members of a closed group (church gathering, senior citizens’ club, veterans’ organization, professional trade or labor organization, etc.)

More details on MPTF requirements here: https://musicpf.org/how-to-apply/

Required materials due to Local 33

MPTF/Local 33 Application: https://form.jotform.com/241107010962040

Signed Terms and Conditions
MPTF Sample Cost Breakdown
W-9 (info must match the co-sponsor organization)

Important Dates

5 weeks before the performance: all application materials are due to Local 33. (Please do not submit materials any earlier than 8 weeks before the performance.)
2-4 weeks before the performance: MPTF will accept or deny your application. Local 33 will be in touch to let you know what they decide.
1-5 days after the performance: please email Local 33 to confirm that your performance took place and that musicians were paid the amount listed on your application. Once we receive confirmation, Local 33 will submit an affidavit to MPTF, and then MPTF will process the grant check.
1-2 weeks after the performance: MPTF will send a check directly to the co-sponsor.

Local 33’s MPTF Wage Scale*

Leaders: $145 per musician, per service
Side musicians: $125 per musician, per service
Cartage:
Harp $33
Timpani $33
Percussion (depending on load) $25-170
Amplifiers $60
PA Systems (up to 2 speakers, mixing board, 2 monitors, 4 microphones, web cams and/or laptops) $125
(Cartage fees refer to one “In” and one “Out”)

*Please note: co-sponsors may pay musicians more than these amounts, but for the purpose of the MPTF application, applicants MUST use these numbers on the application form. MPTF will only reimburse 50% of scale wages paid to musicians. Any amount your organization pays musicians in excess of this scale is permissible, but the excess funds are not eligible for MPTF reimbursement.