The Presser Foundation provides philanthropic support for music and music education, in keeping with the Will of its founder, Theodore Presser. We work to fund the musical arts in their many dimensions and manifestations, while striving to serve a broad and diverse community of musicians, educators, and music lovers.
The Presser Foundation’s giving is shaped by music itself: it supports performance, presentation, education, capital projects, scholarships, and direct aid to retired music teachers, all in keeping with Theodore Presser’s will. Among its recent grants, one of the clearest signals of that approach is a $200,000 capital grant to The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc., alongside a $150,000 capital grant to The Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Those awards sit next to a large stream of direct assistance for retired music teachers and recurring support for music organizations, showing a mix of institutional support and individual aid. The foundation also uses invited awards for students, including graduate and undergraduate music programs selected through participating schools. Its stated aim is broad and diverse: musicians, educators, and music lovers across music’s many dimensions, with equitable access to musical experiences as a stated priority.
Capital support is a major part of the foundation’s work. Recent grants include $125,000 to Wrti901fm for capital support and $100,000 to Temple University for capital support, showing attention to music infrastructure at both media and higher-education institutions. The foundation also backs program and operating needs in music organizations through Advancement of Music; one recent example is $75,000 to The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc. for advancement of music. For special projects and early-stage organizations, it provides project-based and general operating support within the Greater Philadelphia region. It also supports music teachers directly through Assistance to Music Teachers, a separate program for retired teachers with financial need. Student recognition is another thread, through invited graduate and undergraduate awards tied to participating music schools and programs.
The Presser Foundation’s typical grant size is tightly clustered: the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile are $4,000, $4,000, and $7,500, respectively. That distribution sits alongside a mix of much larger institutional awards and smaller individual grants. The grantmaking pattern also includes recurring support for the same organizations across multiple years, as well as ongoing assistance to music teachers. The foundation is a private foundation with a national scope of giving, but many of its active programs are invitation-based or regionally targeted. Several programs accept unsolicited requests, including Assistance to Music Teachers, Advancement of Music, Special Projects, and Capital Support.
$3.9M
$89.3M
$8.3M
$4.6M
Most grants fall between $4K and $8K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$8K
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Grant activity is heavily centered in Pennsylvania, which accounts for 38% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Philadelphia appears repeatedly in recipient locations, including grants to organizations there, and nearby Pennsylvania cities such as Kutztown and Bethlehem also appear among recipients. Outside Pennsylvania, recent grants include Lawrenceville, New Jersey. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 2,140 grants in the United States.
Its stated focus includes music, music education, general operating support for music organizations, capital projects and facility support, scholarships and student awards, support for retired music teachers, capacity building and convening, and equity and inclusion in music. The active programs also show support for advancement, special projects, capital support, and direct assistance to retired teachers.
Yes for several programs. Assistance to Music Teachers, Advancement of Music, Special Projects, and Capital Support all accept unsolicited requests. The graduate and undergraduate award programs are invitation-based and are made through participating schools or programs.
Its grant size distribution is centered at $4,000: the 25th percentile is $4,000, the median is $4,000, and the 75th percentile is $7,500. The foundation also makes larger awards for capital support and invited student awards that can reach up to $10,000.
Eligible recipients include music organizations and institutions, music teachers, and music students. The foundation also provides direct financial assistance to retired music teachers and uses invited awards for graduate and undergraduate music students through participating schools and programs.
The foundation gives nationally, but 38% of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and its active operating, special project, and capital programs are centered in the Greater Philadelphia region within a 75-mile radius. Some capital support can also reach legacy Presser-associated institutions outside that area.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Presser Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligible music organizations are based in and serve the Greater Philadelphia region. Detailed eligibility criteria were not provided in the scraped content.
Deadline: Application deadline: November 15. Decision notification: March 1.
Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations primarily focused on music education, performance, or presenting, with the majority of organizational expenses dedicated to music programming. Organizations must be based in and serve residents of the specified Greater Philadelphia counties. Pre-K-12 schools, theater, musical theater, dance, and other non-music production organizations are ineligible. Legacy institutions with facilities previously supported by Theodore Presser, The Presser Foundation, or bearing the name Presser may be eligible regardless of location.
Deadline: Application deadline: February 1. Decision notification: May 1.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND KIMMEL CENTER INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $200,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| VARIOUS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $185,720 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO MUSIC TEACHERS |
| VARIOUS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $161,509 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO MUSIC TEACHERS |
| THE MANN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $150,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| WRTI901FM | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $125,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| EASTERN UNIVERSITY | ST DAVIDS, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND KIMMEL CENTER INC (ENSEMBLE ARTS) | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| LIVECONNECTIONS DBA WORLD CAFE LIVE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| RIDER UNIVERSITY - WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $95,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| WEST PHILADELPHIA CULTURAL ALLIANCE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND KIMMEL CENTER INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND KIMMEL CENTER INC (ENSEMBLE ARTS) | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $70,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE | WILMINGTON, DE | $60,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | KUTZTOWN, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| DREXEL UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| ARTPHILLY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECTS |
| PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA MUSIC INSTITUTE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| THE MANN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| SETTLEMENT MUSIC SCHOOL | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| OPERA PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY FOUNDATION | EWING, NJ | $40,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| ACADEMY OF VOCAL ARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| OPERA PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| SETTLEMENT MUSIC SCHOOL | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| THE MANN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| ACADEMY OF VOCAL ARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| ALLENTOWN SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | ALLENTOWN, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| OPERADELAWARE | WILMINGTON, DE | $30,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| THE MUSIC SCHOOL OF DELAWARE | WILMINGTON, DE | $30,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| ALLENTOWN SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | ALLENTOWN, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| RUTGERS UNIVERSITY | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $28,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL SUPPORT |
| THE CROSSING INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| TEMPLE UNIVERSITY MUSIC PREPARATORY DIVISION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA MUSIC INSTITUTE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| TEMPLE UNIVERSITY MUSIC PREPARATORY DIVISION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| SYMPHONY IN C | COLLINGSWOOD, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PENN LIVE ARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| WRTI901FM | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PRINCETON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | PRINCETON, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PLAY ON PHILLY (POP) | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| OPERADELAWARE | WILMINGTON, DE | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PLAY ON PHILLY (POP) | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA MUSIC INSTITUTE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| THE CROSSING | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
| LIVECONNECTIONS DBA WORLD CAFE LIVE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC |
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND KIMMEL CENTER INC
$200,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
VARIOUS
$185,720ASSISTANCE TO MUSIC TEACHERS
VARIOUS
$161,509ASSISTANCE TO MUSIC TEACHERS
WRTI901FM
$125,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
EASTERN UNIVERSITY
$100,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
CAPITAL SUPPORT
LIVECONNECTIONS DBA WORLD CAFE LIVE
$100,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
RIDER UNIVERSITY - WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE
$95,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AND KIMMEL CENTER INC
$75,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
$70,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
ARTPHILLY
$50,000SPECIAL PROJECTS
PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA MUSIC INSTITUTE
$50,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
$50,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
OPERADELAWARE
$30,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
$30,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
$30,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
$28,000CAPITAL SUPPORT
PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA MUSIC INSTITUTE
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
SYMPHONY IN C
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
PENN LIVE ARTS
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
WRTI901FM
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
PRINCETON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
PLAY ON PHILLY (POP)
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
OPERADELAWARE
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
PLAY ON PHILLY (POP)
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA MUSIC INSTITUTE
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC
LIVECONNECTIONS DBA WORLD CAFE LIVE
$25,000ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC