The Elma Music Foundation (us) logo

The Elma Music Foundation (us)

NEW YORK, NY EIN: 27-3622277 Website

The ELMA Music Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in New York, NY. Established in 2011, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting music education, artist development, and music-related programming across the United States.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.3M

-40.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$3.1M

-7.2% YoY

Grant Count

24

-4.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$130K

-3.4% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's grantmaking focuses on music education and artist support, with particular emphasis on:

  • Youth music education and empowerment programs
  • Support for aging and professional musicians
  • Music training and performance opportunities for underserved communities
  • Music scholarships and educational access
  • Creative youth development through music and arts

Grantmaking

The foundation made 25 grants in 2024. Recent grants include:

Grant Range

Range:**

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds organizations primarily in New York, California, and Tennessee, with additional support for programs in Louisiana and Georgia.

Grant Distribution by State

11states
+3 more states

Cities

Ann ArborBaltimoreBostonBronxBrooklineBrooklynDallasDenverHoustonLos AngelesMemphisMiamiNew OrleansNew YorkOrlandoRichmondSalt Lake CitySanta Monica

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent (2024):

  • Total Assets: $2,261,705
  • Total Revenue: $1,633,307
  • Total Expenses: $3,159,409
  • Total Liabilities: $5,250

Tax Status: Tax-exempt since February 2011 EIN: 27-3622277

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$3M$4M$6M201920202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,261,705$3,782,557$3,058,589
Revenue$1,633,307$4,112,922$1,001,246
Expenses$3,159,409$3,388,954$4,373,833
Qualifying Distributions$3,150,968$3,388,954$4,373,459
Net Investment Income$133,307$112,922$1,190
Distributable Amount$149,614$213,427$229,796

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M$4M25 grants201925 grants202023 grants202123 grants202225 grants202324 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC$362KJAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERI…$300KBERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC…$272KTHE MIAMI FOUNDATION INC$250KELLIS MARSALIS CENTER FO…$200KSAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION$150KLIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDA…$125KMEMPHIS EQUITY THROUGH A…$125KBIG THOUGHT$100KMINDBUILDERS CREATIVE AR…$100K

Grant Size Distribution

120 grants across all recorded years

<$50K36$50–100K67$100–250K15$250–500K2$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
THOMAS MCPARTLANDDIRECTOR, CEO0.5
ROBYN CALDERDIRECTOR, PRESIDENT0.5
PAUL KATZDIRECTOR0.5
MERON MAKONNENSECRETARY/DIRECTOR0.5
CLIVE CALDERDIRECTOR0.5
TARIK WARDDIRECTOR0.5
SIMBARASHE JAIROSITREASURER1

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation has supported the Hugh Masekela Heritage Scholarship program in partnership with Manhattan School of Music and the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, enabling South African music students to study at the institution. The foundation also provided support during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the broader ELMA group of foundations committing $106.9 million for COVID-19 response efforts.

News Release: MSM, The ELMA Music Foundation, and the Hugh Masekela Heritage\

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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