Grant Requirements, Visas, Bow Rules, and More

March 13, 2026

In This Issue

• Congress to Speak Up on Artist Visa Delays
• Know Your Bow: New Sales Rules in Place
• Federal Grant Compliance Rules Under Revision
• Did You Know? A Non-Itemizer Deduction Is Available for Charitable Giving
• Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month

Congress to Speak Up on Artist Visa Delays

With U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) reporting average artist visa processing times exceeding 10 months, many U.S. arts organizations have been forced to pay an additional $2,965 per filing to access the Premium Processing Service or forfeit the opportunity to engage international artists. To help elevate the urgency of the delays and unsustainable expense, the League is partnering with the wider arts sector to seek help from Congress and support ongoing international cultural activity. Orchestras can take action:

• Participate in our visa advocacy campaign by Wednesday, March 18 to advance bipartisan Congressional support.
• Continue speaking up to your elected officials and keep the League informed; your visa experiences support our real-time policy advocacy in Washington, D.C.
• Check out the latest news on our dedicated website, Artists from Abroad, to find essential updates for navigating the process (a new version of Form I-129 goes into effect April 1, 2026).

Know Your Bow: New Sales Rules in Place

As of March 5, 2026, specialized permits are now required for international sales of existing and new bows that contain Pernambuco wood, a protected species that grows exclusively in Brazil. Permits must be issued under the terms of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), requiring proof the wood was harvested before the species went under international protection on September 13, 2007. Stringed instrument bows that cross international borders for performances, repairs, and specific travel that does not result in a change of ownership can continue to move free of permits. All bow owners should know what material their bows contain and take steps to comply with new rules and support conservation efforts:

• Find essential information in our updated Know Your Bow Campaign and stay tuned as more implementation details become available from the U.S. and other global governments.
• View the League’s February 2026 webinar produced in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the USFWS February 13, 2026 letter (PDF) outlining preliminary implementation plans.
• Learn more background in the League’s Symphony coverage, The Sustainable Bow, and our dedicated resource page on Pernambuco policies and conservation.

Federal Grant Compliance Rules Under Revision

The National Council of Nonprofits and Independent Sector, key League partners in advancing the nonprofit community, are speaking up on proposed new compliance requirements that could constrain access to government funding. The General Services Administration has published a proposed rule that would require System for Award Management (SAM) registrants to certify compliance with certain Administration priorities and face False Claims Act lawsuits if they engage in activities that are deemed in violation. The certification language will not be in effect until some point following consideration of public comments (which close on March 30, 2026) and the publication of final rules. Learn more in the National Council of Nonprofits and Independent Sector campaigns.

As FY26 and FY27 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grantmaking is already underway, the League’s NEA Grants Process Overview tracks the latest implications of court action, what we know about how executive actions affect grantee compliance requirements, and when updates have been made to the NEA’s agency priorities and FAQ pages.

Did You Know? A Non-Itemizer Deduction Is Available for Charitable Giving

When researchers from Dunham+Company surveyed 1,500 people late last year—nearly 1,000 of them identifying as donors—75% of respondents did not know about the new non-itemizer deduction for charitable giving. Beginning in 2026, tax law changes are in effect that include a $1,000 or $2,000 giving deduction (for single or joint filers, respectively) for tax filers that take the standard deduction. Many donors accessed a modest version of this tax deduction when it was temporarily available during the pandemic. Hearing the news about the newly permanent non-itemizer provision shifted donor intentions, with 13% saying they would give more.

Are your supporters aware of this giving incentive? Find helpful information and overviews in the League’s Philanthropic Trends Resource Center.

Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month

Give a boost to your year-round support for music education by celebrating Music in Our Schools Month throughout March! The many actions orchestras take to support arts learning and advance access to a complete music education for all students can gain extra visibility by sharing them and including #MIOSM and #artsed. Help spread the message about the vital role the arts play in engaging students and learn more from our partners at the National Association for Music Education!