The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation
The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation is a Burbank, California–based public charity that supports music education in schools nationwide. It donates musical instruments to underfunded music programs and provides support services to school districts, with the stated aim of expanding under-represented students’ access to music education.
The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation at a glance
In short: The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation gave $1.1M across 62 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), top state Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,066,100
- +60.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 62
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $17,195
- +52.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,259
- Total assets
- $7,417,265
- +7.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (19% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation
- How to Apply
The foundation describes a vetting process that assesses a school and its music program, identifies needs, considers how an instrument donation could improve students’ experience, and evaluates whether the donation can…
The foundation describes a vetting process that assesses a school and its music program, identifies needs, considers how an instrument donation could improve students’ experience, and evaluates whether the donation can be sustained. Each school receives a grant agreement outlining award terms and conditions; a final report from the principal and teacher is due after one year.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2550 N Hollywood Way 302, Burbank, CA 91505
Phone: (818) 762-4328
Website: https://mhopus.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hampton High School ($58K). Together the top 10 received $302K.
Organizations only. It also paid 33 grants to individuals ($537,658), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
256 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 253 grants of 256 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its instrument grants as serving schools nationwide. In filing year 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Tennessee (19%), California (14%), Florida (10%), Georgia (7%), and Texas (7%). The foundation also reports that its fiscal-year-2025 flagship instrument grants went to schools in 28 states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 $247K (2022) to $1.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 62 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton High School Hampton, TN | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $57,685 |
| Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 Madeira Beach, FL | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $52,732 |
| Valle Crucis School Sugar Grove, NC | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $42,606 |
| 28 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $499,191 |
| Springfield High School Springfield, TN | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $26,094 |
| Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center Homestead, FL | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $23,725 |
| Pasadena Waldorf School Altadena, CA | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $23,148 |
| Mountain View School Phoenix, AZ | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $20,497 |
| Mobile County Training School Mobile, AL | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $20,481 |
| Calloway-Smith Middle School Mobile, AL | To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need. | $18,680 |
Ready to take the next step with The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation reported 62 grants in 2025, 59 in 2024, and 88 in 2023.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,417,265 | $2,416,145 | $2,248,676 | $1,066,100 | 62 | $135,460 |
| 2024 | $6,917,213 | $1,640,147 | $2,073,974 | $663,720 | 59 | $103,702 |
| 2023 | $6,688,087 | $2,050,369 | $1,925,299 | $964,065 | 88 | $109,752 |
| 2022 | $6,444,761 | $5,114,829 | $1,122,691 | $246,789 | 18 | $25,422 |
| 2021 | $2,816,770 | $1,225,824 | $1,351,226 | $625,542 | 29 | $2,136 |
| 2020 | $2,976,028 | $1,832,945 | $1,605,648 | $839,323 | 40 | $7,698 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to keep music alive in schools by providing support services to school districts and musical instruments to underfunded music programs nationwide, giving under-represented youth access to the benefits of music education.
Its flagship instrument grant program provides instruments and supplies to under-resourced schools. The foundation also offers MEDSS™, which assesses barriers to access and participation in arts education across a school district and helps districts identify solutions. In fiscal year 2025, the foundation says it completed arts program assessments for Atlanta Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools. Its Music Rising Disaster Relief Fund helps communities rebuild school music programs after natural disasters.
The 2025 filing lists support for schools and school-related organizations. Among the grantees described in their own words, Pasadena Waldorf School states that its mission is education, instruction, student programs, and day care. The Houston Independent School District Foundation says it mobilizes community support for innovative district priorities and funds projects and programs outside the district’s operating budget. Fern Leaf Community Charter School describes a mission centered on a rich learning environment, community, and students’ academic and personal development. Dekalb Agriculture Technology and Environment Inc says it provides a quality public education focused on technology and the environment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 62 grants totaling $1,066,100. Grant amounts ranged from $5,059 to $57,685, with a median of $15,258. The largest awards included $57,685 to Hampton High School in Tennessee and $52,732 to an individual recipient Fundamental K-8 in Florida, both to provide musical instruments to students in need. Other notable awards included $42,606 to Valle Crucis School in North Carolina, $26,094 to Springfield High School in Tennessee, and $26,090 to an individual recipient Parish School in California.
Separately, the foundation reports that during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, its flagship instrument program donated 2,274 instruments valued at $2.35 million to 72 schools across 28 states. It says these awards are expected to benefit more than 28,400 students over the instruments’ useful lives. The foundation also reports that Music Rising provided 1,065 instruments valued at $466,095 to 11 schools affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the an individual recipient wildfires.
The foundation’s website says eligible applicants for instrument grants must be U.S. public schools, including public charter schools, in the United States, Washington, D.C., or a U.S. territory. At least 65% of students must be economically disadvantaged. A school must have an established music program during the regular school day, a dedicated music teacher who has taught there for at least two consecutive years, an existing instrument inventory, and a designated music classroom with secure storage. Private schools are not eligible, according to the website.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael Abrams, Gwen Riley, Robert Cort, Jon Kamen, Mark Licht, Kirkland Lynch, and Brian Osborn as directors. Marty Albertson and Bob Ezrin are listed as co-chairs, and Christopher Lennertz as secretary.
The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation is led by Tricia Williams, President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 16 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tricia Williams
President & CEO
Program Director → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$120K (2020) → $185K (2025)
Todd H. Shipley
Program Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$103K (2025)
Doreen Ringer Ross
Director
Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jon Kamen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula Silver
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Cort
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gwen Riley
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ali Rivera
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Osborn
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kirkland Lynch
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Licht
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Abrams
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Ezrin
Co-Chair
Director → Co-Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Lennertz
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marty Albertson
Co-Chair
Director → Co-Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Osborn
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: David Greene (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Felice Mancini (2020–2024) — President & CEO
- Former: Gabriel Kosakoff (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Mark Rapaport (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Megan Lisa Jones (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Pam Healey (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Scott Holtzman (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Akshay Khanna (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Robin Burgess (2021–2024) — Director
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 $185K, to Tricia Williams (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation
How much does The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation give each year?
The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation gave $1.1M across 62 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $664K across 59 grants.
What is The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation's typical grant size?
The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,259, and its average grant was $17,195, across 62 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation give grants?
The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation's top state is Tennessee, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (14%) and Florida (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Springfield, TN (3 grants), Mobile, AL (2 grants), Greenbrier, TN (2 grants) and Houston, TX (2 grants).
Does The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 62 grants with a stated purpose on The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Provide Musical Instruments to Students in Need." (62 grants).
Who are The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation's largest grantees?
The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Hampton High School ($57,685), Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 ($52,732) and Valle Crucis School ($42,606), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 33 grants to individuals ($537,658), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation?
The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation reported $7.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.4M.
What does The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to keep music alive in schools by providing support services to school districts and musical instruments to underfunded music programs nationwide, giving under-represented youth access to the benefits of music education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation?
The foundation describes a vetting process that assesses a school and its music program, identifies needs, considers how an instrument donation could improve students’ experience, and evaluates whether the donation can… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation's EIN?
The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4604927. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 7, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 21, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 30, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-mr-holland-s-opus-foundation-morg_f79d359a754145b3b7c00abebc1f428d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954604927_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Mr Holland's Opus Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-mr-holland-s-opus-foundation-morg_f79d359a754145b3b7c00abebc1f428d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Mr Holland's Opus 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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