The Presser Foundation
The Presser Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit grantmaking foundation headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1916 and formally incorporated in 1939, the Foundation provides philanthropic support for music and music education. The organization employs 2 staff members and operates with a commitment to serving a broad and diverse community of musicians, educators, and music lovers.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$89.3M
+7.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.8M
+9.7% YoY
Grant Count
486
+12.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-2.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Presser Foundation provides philanthropic support for music and music education, in keeping with the Will of its founder, Theodore Presser. The Foundation works to fund the musical arts in their many dimensions and manifestations, while striving to serve a broad and diverse community of musicians, educators, and music lovers.
Vision: Equitable access to all musical experiences transforms communities and fosters connection, well-being, and joy.
Core Values:
- Passion for Music: Committed to supporting the future of music and its excellence
- Integrity in Every Endeavor: Holding itself accountable to the highest standards to earn trust
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, pro-active anti-racism, and anti-bigotry in all areas of music
Primary Funding Areas:
- Music scholarship awards
- Advancement of music
- Capital support for music organizations
- Support for retired music teachers
Grantmaking
In fiscal year 2024, the Foundation made 342 grants totaling approximately $2.3 million (with additional grants bringing total expenses to $3.35 million).
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation funds music organizations and musicians nationally, with particular emphasis on supporting music programs across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending June 30):
- Total Revenue: $3,698,768
- Total Expenses: $3,347,350
- Total Assets: $82,869,734
- Total Liabilities: $646,000
- Net Income: $351,418
Historical Context: From 1995 to June 2021, The Presser Foundation distributed more than $80 million to music organizations, undergraduate and graduate music students, and retired music teachers.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $89,282,273 | $82,869,734 | $76,682,009 |
| Revenue | $8,298,526 | $3,698,768 | $4,260,735 |
| Expenses | $4,615,873 | $3,347,350 | $4,076,466 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,292,722 | $3,882,644 | $3,991,403 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,196,460 | $3,610,050 | $4,209,938 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,153,186 | $3,840,262 | $3,603,730 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Presser Foundation
Advancement of Music Grants
THE PRESSER FOUNDATION
Amount
US $2,500 - US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Presser Foundation- Special Projects Grant
THE PRESSER FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Presser Foundation: Capital Support Grants
THE PRESSER FOUNDATION
Amount
US $5,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Teresa Rodgers
Staff: Abby Rolland, Grants & Communications Manager
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELLEN ROSEN | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| WILLIAM B MCLAUGHLIN III | FIRST VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| STANFORD THOMPSON | SECOND VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| SHARON SOROKIN JAMES | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER RINALDI | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MARY JANE BOBYOCK | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| PETER BURWASSER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ROLLO DILWORTH | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| EVE HYPPOLITE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DENISE IEMOLO | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| DAVID KRING | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SUSAN LEWIS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LEI X OUYANG | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MARY ELLEN POOLE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MARIETTA SIMPSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| TERELL STAFFORD | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| RADCLYFFE F THOMPSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MELINDA WHITING | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| VERA WILSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JOHN B WRIGHT II | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation continues to actively award scholarships and grants to music organizations and students. Recent announcements include awards to 265 outstanding music scholars nationwide and capital support grants to major music institutions. The Foundation also administers special project grants to music organizations and maintains ongoing support for music education and advancement initiatives.
Advancement of Music: 2025-26 - The Presser FoundationData last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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