The Lucille & Jack Yellen Foundation concentrates its funding on student scholarships and music education, combining support for local Western New York public colleges with investments in elite performing-arts training. Grants are largely scholarship-focused and include both local higher-education institutions (Buffalo State, UB, Fredonia) and national music organizations (The Juilliard School, ASCAP Foundation).
Concentrated, scholarship-focused giving with a small number of mid-size grants; several repeat awards to a few core grantees rather than many one-off donations.
The Lucille & Jack Yellen Foundation centers its giving on scholarships for students in Western New York and on music education, with grants that move between local public colleges and conservatory-level training. One clear thread is sustained support for Buffalo State College Foundation, including a $19,000 scholarship grant in 2023 and additional scholarship awards in 2024 and 2025. The foundation also backs The Juilliard Scholarship Fund, which received $10,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing a parallel commitment to elite performing-arts study. Its recent grants also reach beyond college aid into music instruction and access. Awards to ASCAP Foundation support music education, while grants to Community Music School of Buffalo and Buffalo String Works point to direct support for music learning in the Buffalo area. The pattern is strongly education-focused rather than broad charitable giving, and the recipients include both degree-granting institutions and organizations that help young musicians develop skills and opportunities.
Scholarship support is the most visible part of the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $7,500 to Fredonia College Foundation in 2024 for scholarships, and similar scholarship awards went to University at Buffalo Foundation and Buffalo State College Foundation in the same period. Music education is the other major theme. The foundation awarded $7,500 to ASCAP Foundation in 2024 and $6,000 in 2025 for music education, alongside $3,000 grants to Nys Dance Force in both 2024 and 2025 for music education. The foundation also supports access for learners with different needs. In 2025, it gave $2,000 to Danceability Inc USA for music education for special needs individuals. That sits alongside grants to Community Music School of Buffalo and Buffalo String Works, both based in Buffalo, showing a mix of institutional and community-based support.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $6,000. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same recipients across multiple years, especially scholarship and music-education grantees. The foundation appears to use direct grants rather than program-related investments, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. Its giving is local in scope, with 95% of grants going to recipients in New York.
$60K
$993K
$129K
$99K
Most grants fall between $2K and $6K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$6K
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.
Notable grantees: Juilliard Scholarship Fund, Buffalo State College Foundation, University at Buffalo Foundation, ASCAP Foundation, Fredonia College Foundation
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in New York, which accounts for 95% of grants. Buffalo appears repeatedly through Buffalo State College Foundation, University at Buffalo Foundation, Community Music School of Buffalo, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, and Buffalo String Works. Other New York recipients include Fredonia College Foundation in Fredonia, Nys Dance Force in Silver Creek, Springville Griffith Csd in Springville, and Julliard Scholarship Fund in New York City. Outside New York, the only listed recipient state is California, through Music Achievement Council in Carlsbad.
It funds public colleges and scholarship programs, plus music-education organizations. Recent recipients include Buffalo State College Foundation, University at Buffalo Foundation, Fredonia College Foundation, ASCAP Foundation, Community Music School of Buffalo, and Buffalo String Works.
The grant-size distribution is compact: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $6,000. Recent awards also include larger scholarship grants, such as $19,000 to Buffalo State College Foundation and $10,000 annual grants to Julliard Scholarship Fund.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Julliard Scholarship Fund in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Buffalo State College Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Nys Dance Force in 2024 and 2025. That points to recurring relationships rather than one-time gifts.
Yes. It has made operating-style support for music education, including grants to ASCAP Foundation for music education, Nys Dance Force for music education, and Danceability Inc USA for music education for special needs individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULLIARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FREDONIA, NY | $8,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $8,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $8,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ASCAP FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $6,500 | 2026 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NYS DANCE FORCE | SILVER CREEK, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME | BUFFALO, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| SPRINGVILLE GRIFFITH CSD | SPRINGVILLE, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO STRING WORKS | BUFFALO, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| DANCEABILITY INC USA | CHEEKTOWAGA, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS |
| VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| JULLIARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FREDONIA, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ASCAP FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NYS DANCE FORCE | SILVER CREEK, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME | BUFFALO, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| SPRINGVILLE GRIFFITH CSD | SPRINGVILLE, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO STRING WORKS | BUFFALO, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| DANCEABILITY INC USA | CHEEKTOWAGA, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS |
| VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| JULLIARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $7,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FREDONIA, NY | $7,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ASCAP FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $7,500 | 2024 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $7,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NYS DANCE FORCE | SILVER CREEK, NY | $3,000 | 2024 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| MUSIC ACHIEVEMENT COUNCIL | CARLSBAD, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME | BUFFALO, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| DANCEABILITY INC USA | CHEEKTOWAGA, NY | $2,000 | 2024 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS |
| SPRINGVILLE GRIFFITH CSD | SPRINGVILLE, NY | $2,000 | 2024 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO STRING WORKS | BUFFALO, NY | $2,000 | 2024 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $19,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| JULLIARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO FOUNDATION | BUFFALO, NY | $5,500 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FREDONIA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ASCAP FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $4,000 | 2023 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME | BUFFALO, NY | $2,500 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY | $2,500 | 2023 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| NYS DANCE FORCE | SILVER CREEK, NY | $2,000 | 2023 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| SPRINGVILLE GRIFFITH CSD | SPRINGVILLE, NY | $2,000 | 2023 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION |
| DANCEABILITY INC USA | CHEEKTOWAGA, NY | $1,500 | 2023 | FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS |
| VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP |
JULLIARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP
FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$8,000SCHOLARSHIP
BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$8,000SCHOLARSHIP
SCHOLARSHIP
NYS DANCE FORCE
$3,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF BUFFALO
$2,500FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
SPRINGVILLE GRIFFITH CSD
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
BUFFALO STRING WORKS
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
DANCEABILITY INC USA
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS
JULLIARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP
FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$6,000SCHOLARSHIP
BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$6,000SCHOLARSHIP
NYS DANCE FORCE
$3,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF BUFFALO
$2,500FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
SPRINGVILLE GRIFFITH CSD
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
BUFFALO STRING WORKS
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
DANCEABILITY INC USA
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS
JULLIARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP
FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP
BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP
NYS DANCE FORCE
$3,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF BUFFALO
$2,500FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
MUSIC ACHIEVEMENT COUNCIL
$2,500FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS
DANCEABILITY INC USA
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS
SPRINGVILLE GRIFFITH CSD
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$19,000SCHOLARSHIP
JULLIARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP
FREDONIA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$5,000SCHOLARSHIP
BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF BUFFALO
$2,500FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
NYS DANCE FORCE
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
SPRINGVILLE GRIFFITH CSD
$2,000FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION
DANCEABILITY INC USA
$1,500FOSTER MUSIC EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS