The Presser Foundation
The Presser Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that supports music and music education. Established in 1939 following Theodore Presser’s death in 1925, it makes grants to music organizations, students, and retired music teachers, with its website describing an emphasis on equitable access to musical experiences.
The Presser Foundation at a glance
In short: The Presser Foundation gave $3.8M across 486 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,755,790
- +9.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 486
- +12.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,728
- -2.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $89,282,273
- +7.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (85 of 376, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (66% 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 Presser Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applications are submitted electronically through its website; it does not use letters of inquiry, though applicants may ask the Foundation about eligibility or criteria before applying. Applications and follow-up reports are handled online. The website says applicants may apply once a year in each local grantmaking area if eligible and if they have no outstanding grants or reports, and that eligible organizations may apply to more than one area. The Foundation says it provides feedback on declined applications.
- Review Cycle
- The Advancement of Music deadline is November 15, with decisions announced by March 1. The Foundation’s 2026–27 application information says eligible applicants for general operating support should apply through Advancement of Music. Capital Support applications are due February 1, with decisions announced by May 1. Assistance to Music Teachers accepts applications on an ongoing basis; student awards are by invitation.
- Deadline
- The Advancement of Music deadline is November 15, with decisions announced by March 1.
- Next open deadline
- November 15, 2026 (Advancement of Music Grants)
- Contact
Application contact: Teresa Araco Rodgers Co Presser Fou
Mailing address: PO Box 9982, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Phone: (267) 519-5350
Email: trodgers@presserfoundation.org
Website: https://presserfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Presser Foundation
Advancement of Music Grants
The Presser Foundation
Amount
US $2,500 - US $50,000
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Presser Foundation- Special Projects Grant
The Presser Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Presser Foundation: Capital Support Grants
The Presser Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Expected ~February
Based on past cycles
Who The Presser Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Mann Center for the Performing Arts ($190K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $996K.
Organizations only. It also paid 52 grants to individuals ($163,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,150 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,092 grants of 2,150 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its organizational grantmaking as serving the Greater Philadelphia region. In 2025, 66% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 7% to an individual recipient, and 4% to Delaware. The remaining listed shares included Texas and California, at 2% each. Its student award programs operate through participating or invited higher education institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 486 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Presser Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 85 of 376 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $3.3M (2020) to $4.2M (2021). In 2025 it made 486 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Various Philadelphia, PA | Assistance to Music Teachers | $185,720 |
| The Mann Center for the Performing Arts Philadelphia, PA | Capital Support | $150,000 |
| WRTI901FM Philadelphia, PA | Capital Support | $125,000 |
| Temple University Philadelphia, PA | Capital Support | $100,000 |
| The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc (Ensemble Arts) Philadelphia, PA | Capital Support | $100,000 |
| The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc (Ensemble Arts) Philadelphia, PA | Advancement of Music | $75,000 |
| West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Philadelphia, PA | Capital Support | $75,000 |
| Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia, PA | Capital Support | $50,000 |
| Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute Philadelphia, PA | Capital Support | $50,000 |
| Artphilly Philadelphia, PA | Special Projects | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Presser Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation reports that from 1995 through June 2021 it gave more than $80 million to music organizations, students, and retired music teachers.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $89,282,273 | $8,298,526 | $4,615,873 | $3,755,790 | 486 | $4,292,722 | $8,196,460 | $4,153,186 |
| 2024 | $82,869,734 | $3,698,768 | $3,347,350 | $3,423,434 | 431 | $3,882,644 | $3,610,050 | $3,840,262 |
| 2023 | $76,682,009 | $4,260,735 | $4,076,466 | $3,580,287 | 401 | $3,991,403 | $4,209,938 | $3,603,730 |
| 2022 | $72,800,462 | $9,505,982 | $3,707,886 | $3,960,061 | 411 | $4,236,956 | $9,436,314 | $4,167,784 |
| 2021 | $90,291,755 | $6,219,973 | $5,079,114 | $4,194,445 | 421 | — | $6,179,907 | $4,022,177 |
| 2020 | $73,185,619 | $4,586,433 | $4,101,229 | $3,285,778 | 342 | — | $4,546,829 | $3,545,337 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Presser Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.2M 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 stated purpose is to provide philanthropic support for music and music education. Its six grantmaking areas are Advancement of Music, Capital Support, Special Projects, the Graduate Music Award, the Undergraduate Scholar Award, and Assistance to Music Teachers. These include general operating support for music organizations, facility and equipment projects, project-based awards for graduate students at invited institutions, awards for undergraduate students at participating institutions, and financial assistance for retired music teachers.
The Foundation describes its organizational grants as supporting music education, performance, and presentation. Examples of grantees’ work include the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance’s effort to cultivate participation in the arts, Curtis Institute of Music’s training of young musicians, and Opera Philadelphia’s production of opera and educational programming. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Foundation’s.
For the 2026–27 fiscal year, the Foundation says Advancement of Music and Special Projects have been combined into one general operating support application process. The website describes Advancement of Music grants as typically no more than $50,000, with awards primarily made for one year.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 486 grants totaling $3,755,790. Grants ranged from $150 to $185,720, with a median of $3,000. Selected grants included $185,720 for assistance to music teachers; $150,000 to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts for capital support; $125,000 to WRTI901FM for capital support; and $100,000 each to Temple University and the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center for capital support. Other grants included $75,000 to the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance for capital support and $50,000 to ArtPhilly for special projects.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ellen Rosen as president; William B. McLaughlin III as first vice president; Stanford Thompson as second vice president; Sharon Sorokin James as secretary; and Christopher Rinaldi as treasurer. Trustees listed on that filing are Mary Jane Bobyock, Peter Burwasser, Rollo Dilworth, Eve Hyppolite, and Denise Iemolo.
The Presser Foundation is led by Ellen Rosen, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 20 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ellen Rosen
President
Treasurer → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John B. Wright II
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Jane Bobyock
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Burwasser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Radclyffe F. Thompson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Lewis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vera Wilson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melinda Whiting
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Kring
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rollo Dilworth
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lei X. Ouyang
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marietta Simpson
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terell Stafford
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Iemolo
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eve Hyppolite
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ellen Poole
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William B. McLaughlin III
First Vice President
Vice President → First Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Rinaldi
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stanford Thompson
Second Vice President
Trustee → Second Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Sorokin James
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Corey R. Smith (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Wait (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Sharon L. Sorokin (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Jeffrey Cornelius (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Lucinda S. Landreth (2020–2021) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about The Presser Foundation
How much does The Presser Foundation give each year?
The Presser Foundation gave $3.8M across 486 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.4M across 431 grants.
What is The Presser Foundation's typical grant size?
The Presser Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $7,728, across 486 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Presser Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does The Presser Foundation give grants?
The Presser Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (102 grants), Wilmington, DE (13 grants), Bethlehem, PA (8 grants) and Reading, PA (7 grants).
Does The Presser Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 486 grants with a stated purpose on The Presser Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Undergraduate Scholar Awards" (262 grants), "Advancement of Music" (148 grants) and "Special Projects" (37 grants).
Who are The Presser Foundation's largest grantees?
The Presser Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Mann Center for the Performing Arts ($190,000 across 2 grants), The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc (Ensemble Arts) ($175,000 across 2 grants) and WRTI901FM ($150,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 52 grants to individuals ($163,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Presser Foundation?
The Presser Foundation reported $89.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Presser Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated purpose is to provide philanthropic support for music and music education. Its six grantmaking areas are Advancement of Music, Capital Support, Special Projects, the Graduate Music Award, the Undergraduate Scholar Award, and Assistance to Music Teachers. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Presser Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Presser Foundation's EIN?
The Presser Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2164013. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Presser Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Presser Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Pennsylvania
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
Folds of Honor Foundation
Owasso, OK
Folds of Honor funds education scholarships for spouses and children of U.S. military service members and first responders killed or disabled in service, with awards available for K–12 and higher education in the United States and its territories. Awards are up to $5,000 per academic year, based on unmet need, and are paid directly to the school. It accepts scholarship applications through an online portal during its annual application window; it does not make grants to outside applicants.
Assets
$122.3M
Grants
1,551
Total Given
$37.6M
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
The William Penn Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic participation, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training, primarily in the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 median grant was $50,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts unsolicited requests through limited open applications and invites letters of inquiry from public charities.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
1,027
Total Given
$148.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Presser Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-presser-foundation-morg_938beca485cf48698d7d842f1816e597
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232164013_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Presser Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-presser-foundation-morg_938beca485cf48698d7d842f1816e597},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Presser 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.
The Presser Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?