The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY, established to honor composer Aaron Copland's lifelong devotion to contemporary music. The Fund was officially announced to the public in 1992, following Copland's bequest of a large portion of his estate. The organization operates multiple grant programs and manages permissions for the use of Copland's music and literary works.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.3M
-1.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
-1.1% YoY
Grant Count
231
+31.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-24.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc reported a distributable amount of $956K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund's purpose is to encourage and improve public knowledge and appreciation of contemporary American music. The organization specifically supports:
- Contemporary American concert music
- Contemporary jazz by American composers
- Performing ensembles and presenters
- Music service organizations
- Record companies
Grantmaking
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music operates three primary grant programs:
Grant Range
** $8,100
Average Grant
** $8,100
Review Cycle
** April 30, 2026 - 11:59 PM
Ready to take the next step with The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund's grant-making focuses primarily on New York, California, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2023:
- Total Assets: $18,530,060
- Total Revenue: $2,199,628
- Total Expenses: $2,837,983
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $563,564
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, tax-exempt since August 1991 EIN: 13-3620909
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,254,667 | $18,530,060 | $19,109,415 |
| Revenue | $2,641,936 | $2,199,628 | $3,298,778 |
| Expenses | $2,917,329 | $2,837,983 | $2,301,475 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,793,551 | $2,673,192 | $2,000,665 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,518,688 | $2,084,837 | $3,160,768 |
| Distributable Amount | $955,788 | $992,576 | $1,041,108 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include New Music USA ($80,000), Copland House Inc ($37,500), Albany Symphony Orchestra ($28,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Albany Symphony Orchestra New York, NY | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGEAND APPRECIATION OFCONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $6,500 |
| American Academy in Rome New York, NY | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGEAND APPRECIATION OFCONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $9,000 |
| American Composers Alliance New York, NY | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGEAND APPRECIATION OFCONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $2,000 |
| American Composers Forum Saint Paul, MN | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGEAND APPRECIATION OFCONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $20,000 |
| American Composers Orchestra Inc New York, NY | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $11,500 |
| American Lyric Theater ALT New York, NY | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $5,000 |
| American Opera Projects Inc Brooklyn, NY | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $9,500 |
| Aspen Music Festival Aspen, CO | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $9,000 |
| Atlantic Center for the Arts New Smyrna Beach, FL | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $2,000 |
| Boston Symphony Orchestra Boston, MA | ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MUSIC | $28,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key leadership includes:
- Alex Shapiro, Director
- Augusta Read Thomas, Director
- Christopher Theofanidis, First Vice President/Director
The organization operates with 4 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN CORIGLIANO | Director | 1 | $800 |
| NORMAN FEIT | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| JAMES M KENDRICK | EXEC VP/SECY | 15 | $151,430 |
| GEORGE LEWIS | Director | 1 | — |
| URSULA OPPENS | Vice President | 1 | $1,600 |
| ALEX SHAPIRO | Director | 1 | $800 |
| CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS | President | 3 | $54,600 |
| AUGUSTA READ THOMAS | Director | 1 | $800 |
| ELLEN TAAFFE ZWILICH | VP/DIRECTOR | 5 | $1,600 |
| BROOKE LARIMER | ASSIST SECRETAR | 35 | $120,185 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Fund continues to actively accept applications across its three grant programs. The 2026 application cycle is underway, with the General Support Program and Legacy Program currently open for submissions. The Project Support Program will open in June 2026.
Performance Program grants awarded for 2023The Fund also manages licensing for Aaron Copland's musical compositions through Boosey & Hawkes (a Concord Company) and handles permissions for use of Copland's literary works and image through direct inquiry.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc fund?
The Fund's purpose is to encourage and improve public knowledge and appreciation of contemporary American music. The organization specifically supports: • Contemporary American concert music • Contemporary jazz by American composers • Performing ensembles and presenters • Music service organizations • Record companies
How do I apply for a grant from The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc?
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music operates three primary grant programs: Provides unrestricted grants for organizations with a history of substantial commitment to contemporary American concert music, jazz, or both. Eligible applicants include performing ensembles, presenters, music service organizations, and record companies. The program operates in two rounds: a Preliminary Round followed by an invitation-only Main Round. **2026 Deadline:** April 30, 2026 - 11:59 PM Created to recognize organi…
Where does The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc make grants?
The Fund's grant-making focuses primarily on New York, California, and Massachusetts.
What size grants does The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc award?
In 2024, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc awarded 231 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc reported a distributable amount of $956K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc's EIN?
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3620909. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Amphion Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$12.9M
Grants
205
Total Given
$789K
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Assets
$17K
Grants
155
Total Given
$3.1M
New Music Usa Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$19.7M
Grants
83
Total Given
$624K
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
The Ayco Charitable Foundation
COHOES, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
4,719
Total Given
$287.7M
Jewish Communal Fund
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3.0B
Grants
4,673
Total Given
$953.3M
The Howard Gilman Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$630.1M
Grants
392
Total Given
$27.8M
Ibm International Foundation
ARMONK, NY
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities