We help students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. Deliver equitable access to music education by donating instruments and music technology, supporting teachers, and advocating for music education in public schools.
Save the Music Foundation’s recent work is centered on school music programs, with large grants repeatedly going to public school districts to restore or build instruction in band, strings, mariachi, and music technology. The largest grant in the recent list is $610,118 to Los Angeles USD for music education, and other major awards show the same pattern of district-level support across multiple years. New York City Department of Education received $546,585 in 2025 and $486,694 in 2024, while Los Angeles USD also received $447,185 in 2023 and $394,474 in 2025. The foundation’s giving is not limited to one format. It supports general music, music tech labs, instrument access, and teacher support through school-based grants and in-kind program packages. Recent awards also show continuity across years, with districts such as Atlanta Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Columbus City Schools appearing more than once. That pattern points to sustained work with large public systems rather than one-off awards to individuals or small community groups. The organization’s stated focus includes K-12 music education, instrument donation and repair, music technology and production education, teacher training, and advocacy for arts education.
In core school music programming, Save The Music Foundation gave $384,565 to Orleans Parish Public Schools for music education and $204,058 to Anaheim Union High School District for music education. Those awards fit a broader district-based model that supports band, strings, mariachi, and Sonidos Latinos programs. Music technology is another clear lane. The foundation awarded $198,486 to Jackson Public Schools for music education, alongside other technology-oriented grant programs for grades 9–12 that support labs, equipment, and curriculum. Elementary general music also appears in its work. Save The Music Foundation provided $158,789 to School District of Philadelphia for music education, and its Intro To Music and instrument grant programs are built around sequential, standards-based instruction for PreK–5 students. Teacher and program support are part of the structure as well. Recent grants include funding for implementation support and teacher professional development within school music programs.
$4.2M
$8.3M
$7.8M
$8.1M
Most grants fall between $44K and $112K, with a median of $57K.
25th Percentile
$44K
Median
$57K
75th Percentile
$112K
About 3% of grants go to recipients in WV.
HENRY DONAHUE
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Save The Music Foundation’s typical grant size sits in a mid-sized range: p25 is $44,232, the median is $57,186, and p75 is $111,737. The recent grants list also shows much larger district awards, which suggests a mix of standard program grants and larger multi-school commitments. The foundation’s structure is programmatic and school-based rather than individual giving; it does not fund individuals. Multiple districts appear in more than one year, including Los Angeles USD, New York City Department of Education, Atlanta Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Columbus City Schools, showing recurring relationships rather than isolated awards. Some programs are unsolicited, while others are not, and the foundation also uses in-kind support through instruments, technology, and resources.
Save The Music Foundation gives nationwide, with all recent listed grants going to U.S. recipients. The top state by grant count is Connecticut, but the recent awards cluster in large public school systems in major cities. Los Angeles and New York City appear repeatedly, and Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Columbus, New Orleans, and Jersey City also show up in the recent grants list. Only 2% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s New York state, despite the New York headquarters.
It funds school music education, including band, strings, mariachi, Sonidos Latinos, general music for PreK-5, and music technology for grades 9–12. Its program descriptions also include instrument donation and repair, teacher professional development, and support for arts education advocacy.
No. The foundation’s profile states that it funds schools, districts, and music programs rather than individuals.
The typical grant range is mid-sized: p25 is $44,232, the median is $57,186, and p75 is $111,737. The recent grants list also includes larger district awards, such as $610,118 to Los Angeles USD.
Several school districts appear across multiple years, including Los Angeles USD, New York City Department of Education, Atlanta Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Columbus City Schools. That shows recurring support rather than one-time-only grants.
The foundation gives nationally within the United States, and the recipient country distribution shows 158 U.S. grants. Recent awards reached large districts in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Columbus, New Orleans, and Jersey City.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | NEW YORK, NY | $537,537 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $454,030 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| MIAMI DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | MIAMI, FL | $372,495 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | BALTIMORE, MD | $179,082 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | DOWNEY, CA | $130,054 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS | COLUMBUS, OH | $117,060 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| FULTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | ATLANTA, GA | $114,233 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| CENTRALIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT | BUENA PARK, CA | $111,575 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| NEWPORT MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | COSTA MESA, CA | $111,451 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | ATLANTA, GA | $110,256 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| ROANE COUNTY SCHOOLS | SPENCER, WV | $106,014 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| CINCINNATI PUBLIC SCHOOLS | CINCINNATI, OH | $106,014 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| HARRISON COUNTY SCHOOLS | CLARKSBURG, WV | $106,014 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| ANAHEIM UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT | ANAHEIM, CA | $103,081 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| ORANGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | ORANGE, NJ | $77,577 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | NASHVILLE, TN | $63,157 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | AKRON, OH | $60,842 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| GARDEN GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $59,961 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| TOLEDO PUBLIC SCHOOLS | TOLEDO, OH | $59,961 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| SUNFLOWER COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT | INDIANOLA, MS | $59,694 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | OAKLAND, CA | $58,251 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| LINCOLN COUNTY SCHOOLS | HAMLIN, WV | $53,007 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| KANAWHA COUNTY SCHOOLS | CHARLESTON, WV | $53,007 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| MERCER COUNTY SCHOOLS | PRINCETON, WV | $53,007 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| WYOMING COUNTY SCHOOLS | PINEVILLE, WY | $53,007 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| LA MESA-SPRING VALLEY SCHOOLS | LA MESA, CA | $53,007 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS | FAYETTEVILLE, WV | $53,007 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| MARION COUNTY SCHOOLS | FAIRMONT, WV | $53,007 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | WASHINGTON, DC | $52,028 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT | DALLAS, TX | $51,513 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| IRVINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | IRVINGTON, NJ | $50,827 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| SOUTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $50,788 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| SUCCESSFUL INCORPORATED | CORDOVA, TN | $46,922 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | STONE MOUNTAIN, GA | $45,436 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| WE MAKE NOISE INC | CHANDLER, AZ | $43,000 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| COBB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | MARIETTA, GA | $42,696 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| EAST ORANGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | EAST ORANGE, NJ | $42,207 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| COMPTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | COMPTON, CA | $39,414 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| MUSIC EDUCATION GROUP | ATALANTA, GA | $31,104 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,452 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| THE MR HOLLAND'S OPUS FOUNDATION | BURBANK, CA | $25,500 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| MEMPHIS SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS | MEMPHIS, TN | $23,120 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| ELIZABETH PUBLIC SCHOOLS | ELIZABETH, NJ | $21,149 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PATERSON, NJ | $21,149 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $21,149 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| PASSAIC PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PASSAIC, NJ | $21,059 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | JACKSON, MS | $19,707 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | PASADENA, CA | $19,707 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| YOUNG MUSICIANS UNITE | MIAMI, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
| AOSANORTHERN NJ ORFF SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION | BOONTON, NJ | $12,500 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUATION |
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
$537,537MUSIC EDUATION
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$454,030MUSIC EDUATION
MIAMI DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$372,495MUSIC EDUATION
BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$179,082MUSIC EDUATION
DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$130,054MUSIC EDUATION
COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS
$117,060MUSIC EDUATION
FULTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$114,233MUSIC EDUATION
CENTRALIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$111,575MUSIC EDUATION
NEWPORT MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$111,451MUSIC EDUATION
ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$110,256MUSIC EDUATION
ROANE COUNTY SCHOOLS
$106,014MUSIC EDUATION
CINCINNATI PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$106,014MUSIC EDUATION
HARRISON COUNTY SCHOOLS
$106,014MUSIC EDUATION
ANAHEIM UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
$103,081MUSIC EDUATION
ORANGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$77,577MUSIC EDUATION
METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$63,157MUSIC EDUATION
AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$60,842MUSIC EDUATION
GARDEN GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$59,961MUSIC EDUATION
TOLEDO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$59,961MUSIC EDUATION
SUNFLOWER COUNTY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$59,694MUSIC EDUATION
OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$58,251MUSIC EDUATION
LINCOLN COUNTY SCHOOLS
$53,007MUSIC EDUATION
KANAWHA COUNTY SCHOOLS
$53,007MUSIC EDUATION
MERCER COUNTY SCHOOLS
$53,007MUSIC EDUATION
WYOMING COUNTY SCHOOLS
$53,007MUSIC EDUATION
LA MESA-SPRING VALLEY SCHOOLS
$53,007MUSIC EDUATION
FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS
$53,007MUSIC EDUATION
MARION COUNTY SCHOOLS
$53,007MUSIC EDUATION
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$52,028MUSIC EDUATION
DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
$51,513MUSIC EDUATION
IRVINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$50,827MUSIC EDUATION
SOUTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$50,788MUSIC EDUATION
SUCCESSFUL INCORPORATED
$46,922MUSIC EDUATION
DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$45,436MUSIC EDUATION
WE MAKE NOISE INC
$43,000MUSIC EDUATION
COBB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$42,696MUSIC EDUATION
EAST ORANGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$42,207MUSIC EDUATION
COMPTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$39,414MUSIC EDUATION
MUSIC EDUCATION GROUP
$31,104MUSIC EDUATION
CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
$30,452MUSIC EDUATION
MEMPHIS SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS
$23,120MUSIC EDUATION
ELIZABETH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$21,149MUSIC EDUATION
PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$21,149MUSIC EDUATION
JERSEY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$21,149MUSIC EDUATION
PASSAIC PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$21,059MUSIC EDUATION
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$19,707MUSIC EDUATION
AOSANORTHERN NJ ORFF SCHULWERK ASSOCIATION
$12,500MUSIC EDUATION