Les Paul Foundation
The Les Paul Foundation is a private foundation based in Syosset, New York. It supports programs and projects that share Les Paul’s legacy through music education, recording, innovation, exhibits about Les Paul, and medical research related to hearing.
Les Paul Foundation at a glance
In short: Les Paul Foundation gave $418K across 63 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), top state Tennessee. 57% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $418,042
- -20.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 63
- +18.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,636
- -33.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $42,289,748
- +3.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 57% first-time grantees (36 of 63, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (25% 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 Les Paul Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website provides a grant application form. Applicants are instructed to complete all portions, submit typed materials that fit the form, and include a copy of their 501(c)(3) determination letter. The form requests organizational and project information, a project budget and timeline, and an explanation of how Les Paul’s story will be shared. The foundation says requests should be realistic, demonstrate funding from sources beyond the foundation, and have a personnel plan, timeline, and budget consistent with the project. It considers existing projects and capital campaigns when they align with its priorities; it does not provide multi-year grants, and proposals must be submitted annually.
- Review Cycle
- The application materials list January 15 and September 15 deadlines, with decisions on April 1 and December 1. Both 2026 deadlines have passed as of October 2, 2026.
- Deadline
- The application materials list January 15 and September 15 deadlines, with decisions on April 1 and December 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Michael Braunstein
Mailing address: 485 Underhill Blvd Suite 108, Syosset, NY 11791
Phone: (212) 687-2929
Email: info@lespaulfoundation.org
Website: https://les-paul.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Les Paul Foundation
Who Les Paul Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Discovery World ($75K). Together the top 10 received $283K.
Grant Size Distribution
265 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 252 grants of 265 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s guidelines require organizations to be located and operating programs in the United States. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Tennessee (25%), Wisconsin (20%), and New York (18%), followed by New Jersey (7%) and Massachusetts (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 63 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Les Paul Foundation open to new grantees?
57%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 36 of 63 grantees (57%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 35% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 37% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% of 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 $418K (2024) to $665K (2021). In 2024 it made 63 grants totaling $418K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery World Milwaukee, WI | STEM Programs and Exhibits | $75,000 |
| Hearing Health Foundation New York, NY | Medical Research | $50,000 |
| Notes for Notes Inc Nashville, TN | Fund Recording Studios in Boys and Girls Clubs | $35,000 |
| Soulsville Foundation Memphis, TN | Music Programs | $30,000 |
| Musicians on Call Nashville, TN | Virtual Bedside Performance Program | $25,000 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA | Music Education | $24,900 |
| Rowan University Foundation Glassboro, NJ | Music Programs | $20,000 |
| Mahwah Museum Society Inc Mahwah, NJ | Les Paul Exhibit | $8,000 |
| Country Music Foundation Nashville, TN | Supporting Funds for Music Programs | $7,500 |
| First Stage Milwaukee Inc Milwaukee, WI | Music Programs | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Les Paul Foundation?
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 | $42,289,748 | $2,574,927 | $2,737,003 | $418,042 | 63 | $2,274,495 | $2,113,653 | $1,889,171 |
| 2023 | $40,720,533 | $1,321,449 | $2,266,810 | $525,320 | 53 | $1,921,172 | $1,009,610 | $1,826,311 |
| 2022 | $38,433,899 | $1,448,188 | $2,045,168 | $565,540 | 72 | $1,761,203 | $1,079,687 | $1,840,847 |
| 2021 | $45,150,137 | $2,525,936 | $2,297,337 | $664,607 | 48 | $2,296,103 | $2,292,616 | $1,994,585 |
| 2020 | $41,345,581 | $785,097 | $1,923,223 | $518,205 | 29 | — | $563,687 | $1,785,830 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Les Paul Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to inspire innovative and creative thinking by sharing Les Paul’s legacy through support of music education, recording, innovation, exhibits about Les Paul, and medical research related to hearing.
Its guidelines identify music education, recording, exhibits about Les Paul, innovative STEM or STEAM programs, and research related to tinnitus and other hearing impairment issues as funding areas. The FAQs also name music and music-industry education programs, schools, and after-school science and music programs among the types of organizations and projects it supports. Applicants must explain how the project will share Les Paul’s story; the foundation says that simply placing its name on a program or plaque is not sufficient.
Examples of grantees’ work include Discovery World’s interactive exhibits and experimental learning programs connecting innovation, science, and technology; Notes for Notes’ free access for youth to instruments, instruction, and music-making environments; and the Soulsville Foundation’s work preserving the Stax legacy and supporting youth through the Stax Music Academy. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions and activities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 63 grants totaling $418,042. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $75,000, with a median of $2,500.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $75,000 to Discovery World for STEM programs and exhibits; $50,000 to Hearing Health Foundation for medical research; $35,000 to Notes for Notes to fund recording studios in Boys and Girls Clubs; $30,000 to Soulsville Foundation for music programs; and $25,000 to Musicians on Call for a virtual bedside performance program. Other grants included $24,900 to Worcester Polytechnic Institute for music education and $20,000 to Rowan University Foundation for music programs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael K Braunstein as executive director and Jeff Salmon and Arlene Palmer as trustees.
Les Paul Foundation is led by Michael K. Braunstein, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael K. Braunstein
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$346K (2020) → $432K (2024)
Arlene Palmer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$12K (2023) → $7K (2024)
Jeff Salmon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$21K (2023) → $16K (2024)
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 $432K, to Michael K Braunstein (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Les Paul Foundation
How much does Les Paul Foundation give each year?
Les Paul Foundation gave $418K across 63 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $525K across 53 grants.
What is Les Paul Foundation's typical grant size?
Les Paul Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $6,636, across 63 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Les Paul Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Les Paul Foundation give grants?
Les Paul Foundation's top state is Tennessee, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Wisconsin (20%) and New York (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (7 grants), Nashville, TN (3 grants), Milwaukee, WI (2 grants) and New Orleans, LA (2 grants).
Does Les Paul Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 63 grants with a stated purpose on Les Paul Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Music Programs" (31 grants), "Music Education" (13 grants) and "Supporting Funds for Music Programs" (3 grants).
Who are Les Paul Foundation's largest grantees?
Les Paul Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Discovery World ($75,000), Hearing Health Foundation ($50,000) and Notes for Notes Inc ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Les Paul Foundation?
Les Paul Foundation reported $42.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Les Paul Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to inspire innovative and creative thinking by sharing Les Paul’s legacy through support of music education, recording, innovation, exhibits about Les Paul, and medical research related to hearing. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Les Paul Foundation?
The foundation’s website provides a grant application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Les Paul Foundation's EIN?
Les Paul Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3911396. 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Les Paul Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/les-paul-foundation-morg_99603cef69cb4d5fbf7c605620526a6c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133911396_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Les Paul Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/les-paul-foundation-morg_99603cef69cb4d5fbf7c605620526a6c},
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 Les Paul Foundation'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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