The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music is a New York City-based private foundation chartered in 1962. It preserves and promotes the legacies of composer Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya, and supports performances, recordings, scholarship, and talent development related to musical theater. Since 2012, it has also administered the musical and literary estate of Marc Blitzstein.
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music at a glance
In short: The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music gave $521K across 93 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), top state New York. 68% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $521,428
- +20.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 93
- +13.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,607
- +5.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,250
- Total assets
- $47,068,323
- +12.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 68% first-time grantees (13 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (13% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications are submitted online and must include a completed application form, a detailed project description, proof of not-for-profit standing, and an itemized project budget showing expenses, income, and projected funding sources. Organizations should also provide a mission statement, activity summary, and past achievements; individuals should provide an up-to-date biography or curriculum vitae. Applicants must notify the Foundation if they receive other grants. Applicants are directed to consult the Foundation’s full guidelines for restrictions and program details.
- Review Cycle
- The annual deadline is November 1 for projects taking place from January 1 of the following year through before July 1 of the year after that. An additional June 1 deadline is primarily intended for college/university performance grants for the following academic year, though applications in all categories are welcome. Retroactive funding is not accepted. Major professional productions, festivals, and exhibitions may be considered case by case without an application deadline.
- Deadline
- The annual deadline is November 1 for projects taking place from January 1 of the following year through before July 1…
- Next open deadline
- November 1, 2026 (Grant and Collaborative Initiatives: College/University and Amateur Performance)
- Contact
Application contact: Brady Sansone Director Of Programs
Mailing address: 7 East 20Th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 505-5240
Email: bsansone@kwf.org
Website: https://www.kwf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
16 open opportunities from The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
Grant and Collaborative Initiatives: College/University and Amateur Performance
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Grant and Collaborative Initiatives: Kurt Weill Dissertation Fellowship
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant and Collaborative Initiatives: Media
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Opera North 2 ($147K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $306K.
Organizations only. It also paid 72 grants to individuals ($155,900), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
482 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 478 grants of 482 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in New York City and reported 2025 grant dollars going to recipients in New York (13%), Oklahoma (6%), Arizona (5%), and Minnesota (4%). Its reported grants also included recipients in Michigan, North Carolina, and British Columbia, among other locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 93 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music open to new grantees?
68%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 19 grantees (68%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 0% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 86% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $236K (2020) to $521K (2025). In 2025 it made 93 grants totaling $521K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Opera North 2 | 2025 collaborative initiative - audio and video capture costs of love life | $74,500 |
| Opera North 2 | 2025 Professional Performance and Broadcast Grant: Love Life | $50,000 |
| New York City Center New York, NY | 2025 collaborative initiative - love life audio capture costs | $27,500 |
| 29 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $120,200 |
| True Concord Voices & Orchestra Tucson, AZ | 2025 professional performance and broadcast grant: airborne symphony suite | $25,000 |
| Opera North 2 | 2025 collaborative initiative - post-capture costs of love life cd | $22,450 |
| Ensemble Modern | SDS Recording Collaborative Inititative | $15,953 |
| Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK | 2025 Midyear University Performance Grant: Street Scene | $15,000 |
| University of British Columbia | University Performance Grant - Street Scene | $15,000 |
| University of Minnesota (4) Minneapolis, MN | 2025 midyear university performance grant: street scene, symphonic nocturne from lady in the dark | $14,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation’s 2025 filing describes program-related revenue items including net unrealized investment gains, net of deferred federal excise tax expense, and unrealized gains on a beneficial interest in a charitable remainder unitrust.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,068,323 | $4,167,828 | $2,000,685 | $521,428 | 93 | $1,774,603 | $3,202,000 | $2,069,593 |
| 2024 | $41,991,782 | $4,572,680 | $1,847,290 | $434,300 | 82 | $1,588,278 | $3,908,951 | $1,856,673 |
| 2023 | $37,654,383 | $2,706,277 | $3,748,305 | $339,250 | 90 | $3,532,947 | $2,544,308 | $1,729,624 |
| 2022 | $35,744,615 | $1,372,351 | $2,006,272 | $491,574 | 101 | $1,792,718 | $1,373,095 | $1,783,738 |
| 2021 | $43,379,551 | $2,637,032 | $1,848,567 | $335,840 | 116 | $1,566,407 | $2,359,365 | $1,946,692 |
| 2020 | $39,960,597 | $1,679,051 | $1,640,085 | $235,600 | 72 | — | $1,504,168 | $1,668,079 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2025 — 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 administer, promote, and perpetuate the legacies of Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya. It encourages broad dissemination and appreciation of Weill’s music through support for performances, productions, recordings, and scholarship, and fosters understanding of Weill’s and Lenya’s lives and work in diverse cultural contexts. It also nurtures talent in the creation, performance, and study of musical theater.
The Foundation’s grants support projects connected to the work of Weill and/or Blitzstein, as well as projects related to Lenya’s life and music. Examples of recipients illustrate the range of supported organizations: New York City Center describes its mission as making dance and musical theater accessible to broad audiences; Detroit Opera describes its work as presenting opera, dance, and musical theater while expanding access through community engagement and education; and MasterVoices describes its mission as bringing people together through musical storytelling and professional performances.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 93 grants totaling $521,428. Awards ranged from $25 to $74,500, with a median of $1,250. Notable grants included $74,500 and $50,000 to Opera North 2 for audio/video capture costs and a professional performance and broadcast grant for *Love Life*; $27,500 to New York City Center for *Love Life* audio capture costs; and $25,000 to True Concord Voices & Orchestra for a professional performance and broadcast grant for *Airborne Symphony Suite*. Other reported awards included $15,000 to Oklahoma City University for a university performance of *Street Scene* and $14,500 to the University of Minnesota for performances of *Street Scene* and *Symphonic Nocturne from Lady in the Dark*.
Professional performance grants may be requested by professional opera, theater, and dance companies, orchestras, ensembles, and other concert groups. The Foundation gives priority to additional costs specific to presenting a work by Weill or Blitzstein. College, university, and amateur performing arts organizations may request up to $15,000 for eligible production or musical expenses. Works generally must be presented in their original versions and orchestrations, subject to specified authorized exceptions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kim Kowalke as president; Theodore S. Chapin as board chair; Philip Getter as senior vice chair; and Penelope Boehm as treasurer. Trustees listed include Naomi Andre, Andre Bishop, Victoria Clark, Susan Feder, Corey Field, and James Holmes.
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music is led by Kim H. Kowalke, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 14 of 15 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kim H. Kowalke
President
President, CEO & Trustee → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $165K (2025)
Theodore S. Chapin
Board Chair
Board Chair & Trustee → Board Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $750 (2025)
Andre Bishop
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $250 (2025)
Corey Field
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $750 (2025)
James Holmes
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $250 (2025)
Jeanine Tesori
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $250 (2025)
Susan Feder
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $500 (2025)
Tazewell Thompson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $500 (2025)
Victoria Clark
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$250 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Welz Kauffman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $250 (2025)
Naomi Andre
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
$500 (2021) → $500 (2025)
Pamela Zilly
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
$250 (2024) → $750 (2025)
Daniel Egan
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
$250 (2025)
Penelope Boehm
Treasurer
Treasurer & Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $4K (2025)
Philip Getter Sr.
Senior Vice Chair
Executive Vice Chair & Trustee → Senior Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $750 (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Joanne Hubbard Cossa (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Guy Stern (2020–2021) — Vice Chair & Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $165K, to Kim Kowalke (President). 14 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
How much does The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music give each year?
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music gave $521K across 93 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $434K across 82 grants.
What is The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's typical grant size?
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's median grant in 2025 was $1,250, and its average grant was $5,607, across 93 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music that year got $23K on average.
Where does The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music give grants?
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's top state is New York, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was Oklahoma (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants) and Minneapolis, MN (2 grants).
Does The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 93 grants with a stated purpose on The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "2025 Lenya Competition Prize" (43 grants), "2025 Lenya Competition Travel Stipend" (26 grants) and "Kurt Weill Prize" (3 grants).
Who are The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's largest grantees?
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's largest 2025 grantees include Opera North 2 ($146,950 across 3 grants), New York City Center ($27,500) and True Concord Voices & Orchestra ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 72 grants to individuals ($155,900), which are not listed by name. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music?
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music reported $47.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to administer, promote, and perpetuate the legacies of Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music?
The Foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's EIN?
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6139518. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 18, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-kurt-weill-foundation-for-music-morg_7f5e3d3a8aff43b2ad5feeb7e0713151
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136139518_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-kurt-weill-foundation-for-music-morg_7f5e3d3a8aff43b2ad5feeb7e0713151},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music'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.
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music down — hundreds of funders to go?