The Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation is a nationally focused patron of elite classical violin training, providing multi-year, targeted support to top conservatories, university music schools, and specialized violin programs. Its giving is purpose-driven toward advancement of violin studies—funding performance training, scholarships, and program development rather than general arts operations—and it repeatedly supports a small set of high-profile institutions that develop professional violinists.
The Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation’s giving is built around advanced violin study, with a clear preference for conservatories, university music schools, and specialized training programs that prepare emerging professional violinists. Its largest recent grant, $250,000 to Starling Project Foundation, reflects that focus on violin pedagogy and program advancement. The foundation also made a $200,000 grant to The Shephard School of Music - Rice University in Houston for advancement of violin studies, showing that its support reaches both local and national institutions. Across the recent grants list, the foundation repeatedly backs the same kind of recipient: institutions with structured violin training, performance development, and artist preparation. That pattern appears in awards to places such as The Colburn School, New England Conservatory, University of Michigan, and Aspen Music Festival School. The grants are purpose-specific rather than general arts support, and the language used across awards points consistently to advancement of violin studies. The foundation’s work is centered on direct support for music instruction, training infrastructure, and the cultivation of violinists at advanced stages of study.
A major theme in the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation’s grantmaking is conservatory-level violin training. It gave $166,000 to the University of Colorado at Boulder and $141,000 to New England Conservatory in 2025, both for advancement of violin studies. It also awarded $105,000 to Curtis Institute of Music for the same purpose. Festival-based elite study is another recurring area. Aspen Music Festival School received $150,000 in 2025, after grants of $120,000 in both 2024 and 2023, all tied to advancement of violin studies. The foundation also supports specialized instruction platforms, including $250,000 to Starling Project Foundation for advancement of violin studies. Support for artist development appears in grants to schools that train young professionals. The College Conservatory of Music received $100,000, and Salt Lake Music School Foundation Dba Gifted Music School received $100,000, each for advancement of violin studies.
Typical grant size sits at $28,750 at the 25th percentile, $65,000 at the median, and $90,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent list also includes several six-figure awards. The foundation shows a strong repeat-grant pattern: many recipients reappear across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including Rice University’s Shephard School of Music, the University of Colorado at Boulder, The Colburn School, New England Conservatory, Aspen Music Festival School, Curtis Institute of Music, and the University of Michigan. The foundation is a private foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. No application process is indicated in the data.
$3.2M
$20.1M
$3M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $29K and $90K, with a median of $65K.
25th Percentile
$29K
Median
$65K
75th Percentile
$90K
About 11% of grants go to recipients in OH.
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small number of repeat grantees (multi-grant relationships), primarily to nationally prominent music institutions and specialized violin programs rather than broad-based or local arts funding.
Notable grantees: The Shephard School of Music - Rice University, The Colburn School, Aspen Music Festival and School, New England Conservatory, Starling Project Foundation
Grantmaking is national, and recipients are spread across U.S. music hubs. California is the top state by grant count, with recipients including Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Other recurring locations include Ann Arbor, Boulder, Boston, and Philadelphia. Texas accounts for 12% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, with Houston and Austin appearing in the recent grants list. All recent grants in the provided data went to U.S. recipients.
It funds advancement of violin studies, especially at conservatories, university music schools, and specialized violin programs. Recent grants name that purpose repeatedly, including awards to Starling Project Foundation, The Shephard School of Music - Rice University, and The Colburn School.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including The Shephard School of Music - Rice University, University of Colorado at Boulder, The Colburn School, New England Conservatory, Aspen Music Festival School, Curtis Institute of Music, and University of Michigan.
The typical grant size is $28,750 at the 25th percentile, $65,000 at the median, and $90,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger awards such as $250,000, $200,000, and several grants above $100,000.
California is the top state by grant count. Recent California recipients include The Colburn School in Los Angeles and Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STARLING PROJECT FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $250,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| THE SHEPHARD SCHOOL OF MUSIC - RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $200,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER | BOULDER, CO | $166,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| THE COLBURN SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $160,750 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $151,625 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHOOL | ASPEN, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY | BOSTON, MA | $141,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $105,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| SALT LAKE MUSIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION DBA GIFTED MUSIC SCHOOL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $100,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| COLLEGE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | CINCINNATI, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| BOWDIN COLLEGE | BRUNSWICK, ME | $90,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| SOUNDING POINT FOUNDATION | ANN ARBOR, MI | $85,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $65,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| MEADOWMOUNT SCHOOL OF MUSIC | WESTPORT, NY | $64,400 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $60,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| KNEISEL HALL | BLUE HILL, ME | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| SAN FRANCISCO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $38,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| STEANS MUSIC INSTITUTE | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $35,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| COLEMAN VIOLIN STUDIO | SEATTLE, WA | $30,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| YELLOW BARN MUSIC SCHOOL AND FESTIVAL | PUTNEY, VT | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $20,800 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| ENCORE CHAMBER MUSIC INSTITUTE | GATES MILL, OH | $18,500 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | $4,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| THE SHEPHARD SCHOOL OF MUSIC - RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $185,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER | BOULDER, CO | $140,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $135,400 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| THE COLBURN SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $128,500 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY | BOSTON, MA | $122,600 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHOOL | ASPEN, CO | $120,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $90,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $80,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $75,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| SALT LAKE MUSIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION DBA GIFTED MUSIC SCHOOL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $75,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| BOWDIN COLLEGE | BRUNSWICK, ME | $70,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| COLLEGE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | CINCINNATI, OH | $65,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| SOUNDING POINT FOUNDATION | ANN ARBOR, MI | $60,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| MEADOWMOUNT SCHOOL OF MUSIC | WESTPORT, NY | $40,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| STEANS MUSIC INSTITUTE | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $35,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| KNEISEL HALL | BLUE HILL, ME | $35,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| STARLING PROJECT FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $30,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| YELLOW BARN MUSIC SCHOOL AND FESTIVAL | PUTNEY, VT | $25,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $20,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| ENCORE CHAMBER MUSIC INSTITUTE | GATES MILL, OH | $18,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| COLEMAN VIOLIN STUDIO | SEATTLE, WA | $18,000 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $12,500 | 2024 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| THE SHEPHARD SCHOOL OF MUSIC - RICE UNIVERSITY | HOUSTON, TX | $185,000 | 2023 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
| THE COLBURN SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $148,500 | 2023 | ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES |
STARLING PROJECT FOUNDATION
$250,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER
$166,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
THE COLBURN SCHOOL
$160,750ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$151,625ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHOOL
$150,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY
$141,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
$105,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
SALT LAKE MUSIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION DBA GIFTED MUSIC SCHOOL
$100,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
COLLEGE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
$100,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
SOUNDING POINT FOUNDATION
$85,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$75,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
MEADOWMOUNT SCHOOL OF MUSIC
$64,400ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
KNEISEL HALL
$40,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
STEANS MUSIC INSTITUTE
$35,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
COLEMAN VIOLIN STUDIO
$30,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
YELLOW BARN MUSIC SCHOOL AND FESTIVAL
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
$20,800ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
ENCORE CHAMBER MUSIC INSTITUTE
$18,500ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$4,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
THE SHEPHARD SCHOOL OF MUSIC - RICE UNIVERSITY
$185,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER
$140,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$135,400ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
THE COLBURN SCHOOL
$128,500ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHOOL
$120,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
$80,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$75,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
SALT LAKE MUSIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION DBA GIFTED MUSIC SCHOOL
$75,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
COLLEGE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
$65,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
SOUNDING POINT FOUNDATION
$60,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
MEADOWMOUNT SCHOOL OF MUSIC
$40,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
STEANS MUSIC INSTITUTE
$35,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
KNEISEL HALL
$35,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
STARLING PROJECT FOUNDATION
$30,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
YELLOW BARN MUSIC SCHOOL AND FESTIVAL
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
$20,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
ENCORE CHAMBER MUSIC INSTITUTE
$18,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
COLEMAN VIOLIN STUDIO
$18,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
THE SHEPHARD SCHOOL OF MUSIC - RICE UNIVERSITY
$185,000ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES
THE COLBURN SCHOOL
$148,500ADVANCEMENT OF VIOLIN STUDIES