UNIFIED Grant returns to drive change in the music industry

UNIFIED Music Group has announced the return of The UNIFIED Grant, an initiative driving innovation and investing in creative projects with the power to ignite positive change in Australia’s music industry and beyond.

Now in its fourth year, The UNIFIED Grant is assisting creatives to follow their dreams by awarding $5,000 in funding to five creative projects, led by five inspiring individuals or groups, that influence positive, meaningful, and sustainable change for the Australian music industry.

The initiative is open to anyone who positively impacts the local music industry, from photographers, designers and documentary film-makers to developers and journalists.

Luke O’Connor, UNIFIED’s Senior Partnership Manager, says “The UNIFIED Grant provides an opportunity to help inspirational founders who are already doing the work and creating change for Australian artists and the wider industry.”

The grant is inspired by UNIFIED’s journey from bedroom beginnings as Boomtown Records, to its position as one of Australia’s largest independent music companies.

Sarah Rafferty, CEO of YoWo, says “YoWo was lucky enough to be the recipient of the UNIFIED Grant last year. For the past eight years we’ve run a Band Program for young women and gender diverse teens to empower them to pursue careers in music.”

“UNIFIED’s support, not just financially but also the ability to tap into the team’s industry expertise, has been instrumental in helping us establish our own record label, YoWo Records.”

Fellow previous winner Warren Mason says “Tin Camp Studios is a mobile music venue for festivals anywhere in the world. I was very privileged to access the grant which gave me the opportunity to dream of what is next for my business.”

The UNIFIED Impact Committee will review all submissions that meet the criteria to create a shortlist of finalists. Final winners will be decided through a voting system with all UNIFIED Music Group staff contributing.

Recipients of the UNIFIED Grant will be notified in early November.