ConnecToledo announced that it has been awarded a multi-year grant of $120,000 in matching funds to present a free outdoor music series at Promenade Park, Glass City Metropark, Junction Park and Danny Thomas Park in 2026, 2027 and 2028, in partnership with the City of Toledo, Metroparks Toledo and Toledo Design Collective.
Funded by the Levitt Foundation—a national social impact funder supporting the largest free outdoor concert series in America—Levitt Music Series Grants are a multi-year matching grant program bringing live music to towns and cities across the country. Each location presents seven to 10 free outdoor concerts per year, injecting new life into underused public spaces and creating welcoming community destinations.
The 2026-28 grant recipients— including Connec-Toledo—were selected following a public voting period and comprehensive review process. The grants encompass several opportunities, including the Levitt BLOC program that ConnecToledo will be presenting as the Levitt BLOC Toledo Music Series.
Levitt BLOC (Building Layers of Community) activates different neighborhoods in a town or city by “layering” concerts across multiple public spaces. It fosters social cohesion and amplifies community pride across neighborhoods by featuring a diverse lineup ranging from emerging talent to seasoned, awardwinning artists on the local, regional and national circuits.
“The Levitt BLOC program activates a number of public spaces, fostering social connections and adding to the economic vitality and cultural vibrancy across neighborhoods in a town or city—creating exponential impact through the power and joy of free, live music,” said Sharon Yazowski, president and CEO of the Levitt Foundation. “The foundation is excited to welcome ConnecToledo as a new grantee, with the Levitt BLOC Toledo Music Series presenting dynamic shows and offering people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to come together, while experiencing different sites throughout their community.”
Combining 34 new and 32 returning grantees, the foundation will award more than $7 million dollars over the next three years to nonprofits serving towns and cities across the United States. Levitt reaches a broad range of communities, presenting a wide array of music genres, spanning pop, rock, folk, world music, country, jazz, Latin, children’s shows, blues and more.
