About Herb Alpert Foundation
The Herb Alpert Foundation concentrates its giving on performing arts and music education, funding major institutions that build and sustain professional-level training and public-facing arts programs. Grants are large and targeted — often endowment or capacity-type gifts — and include repeat support to named music schools and established arts institutions in Los Angeles and select national organizations. The foundation’s philanthropy emphasizes institutional impact in music education rather than small community projects.
Focus Areas
University-based professional music schools (e.g., Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA)Conservatory-level arts education and training (e.g., California Institute of the Arts)Urban youth performing arts institutions (e.g., Harlem School of the Arts)
Who They Fund
established arts institutionsuniversity music schools (e.g., named school at UCLA)conservatories and professional training institutionsurban youth-focused performing arts organizationsselect national arts organizations
About Herb Alpert Foundation
THE HERB ALPERT FOUNDATION is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, and reported $14,567,950 in annual grants with $45,673,809 in total assets on its latest 990 filed for 2025. Its giving is concentrated in performing arts and music education, especially university-based professional music schools, conservatory-level arts education and training, public-facing performing arts programs, and urban youth performing arts institutions. The foundation’s recent grants show repeated support for major arts institutions and music education programs, with large, targeted awards rather than broad small-grant activity. Among the largest recent grants are $1,425,000 to UCLA HERB ALPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC (LOS ANGELES, CA) in 2023, $1,300,000 to UCLA FOUNDATION UCLA HERB ALPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC (LOS ANGELES, CA) in 2025, and $1,163,000 to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARTS (VALENCIA, CA) in 2023. Additional notable awards include $1,152,400 to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARTS (VALENCIA, CA) in 2025 and $800,000 to THE HARLEM SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (NEW YORK, NY) in 2025. The grant list also includes support for organizations such as HERBIE HANCOCK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ, PS ARTS, and THE HARMONY PROJECT.
What Herb Alpert Foundation Funds
Recent grantmaking spans university-based professional music schools, conservatory-level arts education and training, public-facing performing arts programs, and urban youth performing arts institutions. Notable grants include $1,425,000 to UCLA HERB ALPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC (LOS ANGELES, CA), $1,152,400 to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARTS (VALENCIA, CA), and $800,000 to THE HARLEM SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (NEW YORK, NY). Other recent awards include $424,300 to CALIFORNIA STATE SUMMER SCHOOL FOUNDATION (SACRAMENTO, CA), $250,000 to HERBIE HANCOCK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ (LOS ANGELES, CA), and $240,000 to PS ARTS (VENICE, CA). The list also shows support for TURNAROUND ARTS CALIFORNIA and THE KENNEDY CENTER FBO TURNAROUND ARTS (PCAH).
How Herb Alpert Foundation Gives
THE HERB ALPERT FOUNDATION makes concentrated, high-dollar grants. Its typical grant size is $12,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, while recent awards also include much larger institutional gifts. The recent grants list shows repeat support for the same recipients across multiple years, including UCLA-related music schools, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARTS, PS ARTS, CHRYSALIS, THE HARMONY PROJECT, THE JAZZ FOUNDATION, and THE HARLEM SCHOOL OF THE ARTS. It does not fund individuals and is classified as a Regular Funder. Grantmaking appears to favor established arts and education institutions.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$7.5M
Total Assets
$45.7M
Total Revenue
$2.3M
Total Expenses
$10M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $12K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Geographic Reach
Regional11 states funded
About 79% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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