NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids is among 100 finalists nationwide competing for a $120,000 grant from the Levitt Foundation to support its free outdoor concert series.
The grant would fund Rock the Block, a weekly concert series at the market. Public voting will determine which 50 communities advance to final review by the foundation.
“We’re honored to be in the running for this national recognition,” said Sarah Blais, senior director of market operations at NewBo City Market. “Winning this grant would allow us to extend Rock the Block into the fall season each year, cover critical costs like staffing, licensing, and artist fees, and — most importantly — create more opportunities for small businesses and local musicians to thrive.”
The Levitt Foundation Music Series grant program selects recipients through a two-phase process. The first phase relies on public voting to identify the 50 communities with the strongest local support. These 50 finalists then undergo final review by the foundation to determine grant recipients.
Rock the Block has operated as a free outdoor concert series since its launch, drawing thousands of attendees to the market. The events generate foot traffic that supports emerging local businesses operating within the market while providing a platform for regional musicians to reach new audiences.
The concert series represents part of NewBo City Market’s broader operations as a business incubator and community gathering space. The market focuses on regional economic development through support for entrepreneurs and artists.
If awarded, the $120,000 grant would enable the market to extend the concert series beyond its current schedule into fall months. The funding would also cover operational expenses including staff wages, music licensing fees, and payments to performing artists.
The market houses multiple small businesses and vendor stalls, which benefit from the increased customer traffic generated by the weekly concerts. The Rock the Block series features local and regional musicians performing at the outdoor venue.
Community members can vote for NewBo City Market through two methods. Online voting is available at vote.levitt.org/locations/newbo-city-market/. Votes can also be cast by texting “NEWBO” to 877-409-5525.
The voting period remains open through Sept. 15, 2025. The Levitt Foundation will announce which communities advance to the final review phase after the voting period closes.
The foundation awards grants annually to support free outdoor concert series in communities across the United States. The program aims to increase access to live music performances while supporting local economic development and community engagement through arts investments in communities where they are most supported.
