The grant from the Levitt Foundation will provide matching funds to activate and bring free outdoor concerts to Manchester’s Veterans Park.
MANCHESTER, NH — City Year New Hampshire announces it has been awarded a multi-year grant of $112,000 in matching funds to present a free outdoor music series at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Manchester in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Funded by the Levitt Foundation—a national social impact funder supporting the largest free outdoor concert series in America—Levitt Music Series Grants are an exciting, multi-year matching grant program bringing the joy of free, live music to towns and cities across the country. Each Levitt Music Series location presents 7-10 free outdoor concerts per year, injecting new life into underused public spaces and creating joyous, welcoming community destinations.
Reflecting the Levitt Foundation’s commitment that all Levitt projects be community-driven, the 2026–2028 grant recipients—including City Year New Hampshire—were selected following a public voting period and comprehensive review process. Levitt Music Series Grants encompass several grant opportunities, including the Levitt AMP program that City Year New Hampshire will be presenting as the Levitt AMP Manchester Music Series.
What does AMP stand for? Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places.
“Manchester’s selection as a Levitt Foundation grant recipient is a win for our entire community,” said NH State Representative Matt Wilhelm, a City Year New Hampshire alumnus and lead organizer of the Levitt AMP Manchester Music Series proposal. “This investment will help bring people together through free, accessible live music, strengthening our downtown, supporting working musicians, and creating the kind of vibrant public spaces that make our city thrive. I’m grateful to City Year New Hampshire, the Manchester Economic Development Office, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and everyone who worked so hard to bring this opportunity to Manchester. I can’t wait to see our community come alive at Veteran’s Park next summer.”
“I’m so excited and proud that Manchester was selected for this grant,” said Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais. “It’s proof of our community spirit and how much we love coming together downtown. There’s nothing better than a live concert at Veterans Park on a warm summer night—families, friends, and neighbors all enjoying the music and each other’s company. This grant isn’t just about funding concerts—it’s a celebration of Manchester’s culture and a chance for everyone in our city to connect and make memories right in the heart of downtown.”
Levitt AMP grants support free, live music in towns and cities with a population of up to 250,000. Levitt AMP concert series reflect the three goals of the Levitt AMP program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places. From rural Alaska to Appalachian Main Streets and Midwestern locales, the Levitt AMP Music Series is a catalytic opportunity for towns and cities across America to realize a shared mission—building community through music to create a healthy and thriving future for all.
“Since the Levitt AMP Music Series began 10 years ago in 2015, we’ve seen dynamic social and economic impact as nonprofits across the nation activate public spaces through the power and joy of free, live music,” said Sharon Yazowski, President & CEO of the Levitt Foundation. “Levitt concert series are community destinations, brought to life when friends, families, and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together for a shared experience. The Levitt Foundation is excited to welcome City Year New Hampshire as a new grantee and watch as the Levitt AMP Manchester Music Series plays a meaningful role in strengthening the social fabric, creating economic vitality, and adding to the cultural vibrancy of your community.”
Combining 34 new and 32 returning grantees, the Levitt Foundation will award over $7 million dollars over the next three years to nonprofits serving towns and cities across the U.S. as part of the Levitt Music Series Grants. Levitt Music Series reaches a broad range of communities across America, presenting seasoned, award-winning artists to acclaimed, emerging talent in a wide array of music genres, spanning pop, rock, folk, World music, country, jazz, Latin, children’s shows, blues, and more.
About City Year New Hampshire:
City Year New Hampshire is a trailblazing, youth-powered organization working to create conditions that enable young people to reach their full potential, build leadership skills, and contribute to vibrant communities through national service. Research shows the more time a student spends with a City Year AmeriCorps member serving as a student success coach, the better the student outcomes—academically, interpersonally and in terms of attendance. A public-private partnership, City Year is a proud member of AmeriCorps, operating in 29 U.S. cities with international affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa. Today, 40,000 alums continue to lead and serve where they live and work. www.cityyear.org/nh