D'Addario Foundation Inc
D'Addario Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Farmingdale, New York, that supports access to music education, particularly for communities that might otherwise lack the opportunity. It provides cash and in-kind support to nonprofit organizations offering free or affordable music instruction, and its website says it supports approximately 200 nonprofits each year.
D'Addario Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: D'Addario Foundation Inc gave $518K across 202 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), top state California. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $517,564
- +22.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 202
- +3.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,562
- +18.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,264
- Total assets
- $1,503,625
- +109.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (54 of 189, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (21% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to D'Addario Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Organizations begin by completing the eligibility quiz online. First-time applicants who qualify submit a letter of inquiry; if eligible after review, they receive further instructions and may be invited to submit a formal proposal. The process includes committee review and rubric scoring, and applications are competitive. Organizations may apply once per calendar year and generally must reapply annually for continued support. Filing-stated restrictions say awards support growth and appreciation of music for children through the organization.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation lists two proposal deadlines: October 30 and April 30. Letters of inquiry are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Deadline
- The foundation lists two proposal deadlines: October 30 and April 30.
- Contact
Application contact: Karen Shelley
Mailing address: 595 Smith Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735
Phone: (631) 439-3354
Email: foundation@daddario.com
Website: https://foundation.daddario.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from D'Addario Foundation Inc
Community Music Grants
D'Addario Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
D'Addario Foundation Grant
D'Addario Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
D'Addario Foundation: In-Kind Grants
D'Addario Foundation Inc
Amount
Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who D'Addario Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The People's Music School ($25K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $132K.
Grant Size Distribution
876 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 876 grants of 876 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its support as serving nonprofits around the globe. In 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were California (21%), New York (13%), Illinois (10%), and Massachusetts (6%); a further 6% was listed with the state unspecified.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 202 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is D'Addario Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 54 of 189 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 75% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $296K (2021) to $518K (2024). In 2024 it made 202 grants totaling $518K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Accent Pontiac Pontiac, MI | The grant will encourage growth in participation of the music education programs | $20,000 |
| Neighborhood Music School- Lake City School District Los Angeles, CA | The grant will encourage growth in participation of the music education programs | $20,000 |
| Neighborhood Music School- Long Beach Unified School District Los Angeles, CA | The grant will encourage growth in participation of the music education programs | $20,000 |
| Neighborhood Music School- Puente Learning Center Los Angeles, CA | The grant will encourage growth in participation of the music education programs | $20,000 |
| The People's Music School Chicago, IL | The grant will encourage growth in participation of the music education programs | $20,000 |
| Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Baltimore, MD | To Support Growth and Appreciation of Music | $5,077 |
| Austin Classical Guitar Austin, TX | To Support Growth and Appreciation of Music | $4,735 |
| Allentown Symphony Association Allentown, PA | To Support Growth and Appreciation of Music | $4,725 |
| Conservatory Lab Charter School Dorchester, MA | To Support Growth and Appreciation of Music | $4,725 |
| Harmony Program New York, NY | To Support Growth and Appreciation of Music | $4,552 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,503,625 | $1,784,174 | $1,004,829 | $517,564 | 202 | $517,564 | $33,740 | $51,065 |
| 2023 | $718,735 | $852,124 | $913,387 | $422,459 | 196 | $422,459 | $9,883 | $23,781 |
| 2022 | $666,968 | $628,567 | $812,177 | $378,612 | 164 | $375,325 | $7,462 | $30,402 |
| 2021 | $958,143 | $1,031,397 | $724,768 | $295,631 | 131 | $295,631 | $25,288 | $33,911 |
| 2020 | $638,921 | $774,140 | $875,766 | $390,633 | 183 | — | $57,079 | $23,541 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, D'Addario Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $51K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated focus is expanding access to music education. Its an individual recipient Grants provide one- or two-year cash and in-kind awards for robust, accessible instruction, generally requiring at least three hours of instruction per student each week. Its annual In-Kind Grants provide product support to organizations offering at least two hours of weekly instruction, instrument repair or repair instruction, or instrument restoration for donation. The foundation also lists an invitation-only, two-year IMC Ecosystem Grants pathway.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, fiscally sponsored organizations, and registered international charities. Published criteria vary by grant pathway and include minimum instructional hours and minimum shares of students demonstrating financial or other special need.
Examples of grantees illustrate the kinds of programs supported. The People’s Music School describes its mission as providing 100% free, high-quality music instruction to children who otherwise lack access. ACCENT Pontiac says it provides instrumental music at no cost to more than 250 students in Pontiac, Michigan. Play On Philly describes its work as providing underserved children with transformative music education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 202 grants totaling $517,564. Awards ranged from $264 to $20,000, with a median grant of $2,264. Among the largest awards were $20,000 each to ACCENT Pontiac, The People’s Music School, and three Neighborhood Music School programs in Los Angeles. Other reported awards included $5,077 to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, $4,735 to Austin Classical Guitar, and $4,725 to the Allentown Symphony Association and Conservatory Lab Charter School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John D’Addario Jr. as president and Suzanne D’Addario Brouder as vice president. Trustees listed are Jonathan Turitz, Joshua Lohrius, Margaret Martin, Tom Cilmi, Tom Szaky, Amy D’Addario Hinchey, Doron Ofir, and Dahila Ambach Caplin.
D'Addario Foundation Inc is led by Karen Shelley, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Karen Shelley
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
32 hrs/week
$96K (2024)
John D'addario Jr.
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy D'addario Hinchey
Trustee
Officer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dahila Ambach Caplin
Trustee
Officer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doron Ofir
Trustee
Officer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Turitz
Trustee
Officer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Martin
Trustee
Officer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Szaky
Trustee
Officer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Cilmi
Trustee
Officer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James D'addario
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Lohrius
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne D'addario Brouder
Vice President
Executive Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$112K (2020) → $52K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Josh Lohrius (2020–2023) — Officer
- Former: Sherry Perley (2021–2022) — Officer
- Former: Janet D'addario (2020) — Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $96K, to Karen Shelley (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about D'Addario Foundation Inc
How much does D'Addario Foundation Inc give each year?
D'Addario Foundation Inc gave $518K across 202 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $422K across 196 grants.
What is D'Addario Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
D'Addario Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $2,264, and its average grant was $2,562, across 202 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from D'Addario Foundation Inc that year got $3K on average.
Where does D'Addario Foundation Inc give grants?
D'Addario Foundation Inc's top state is California, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (13%) and Illinois (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (11 grants), Farmingdale, NY (11 grants), Chicago, IL (10 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (8 grants).
Does D'Addario Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 202 grants with a stated purpose on D'Addario Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Growth and Appreciation of Music" (183 grants).
Who are D'Addario Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
D'Addario Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The People's Music School ($24,552 across 2 grants), Accent Pontiac ($23,264 across 2 grants) and Neighborhood Music School- Lake City School District ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is D'Addario Foundation Inc?
D'Addario Foundation Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $518K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $51K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does D'Addario Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated focus is expanding access to music education. Its an individual recipient Grants provide one- or two-year cash and in-kind awards for robust, accessible instruction, generally requiring at least three hours of instruction per student each week. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from D'Addario Foundation Inc?
Organizations begin by completing the eligibility quiz online. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is D'Addario Foundation Inc's EIN?
D'Addario Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-2637844. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in D'Addario Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). D'Addario Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/d-addario-foundation-inc-morg_efb70579dd3b4614aa73ece38ce4bda3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_112637844_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{D'Addario Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/d-addario-foundation-inc-morg_efb70579dd3b4614aa73ece38ce4bda3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from D'Addario Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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