Presser Foundation: Capital Support Grants

The Presser Foundation, established in 1939, supports music education and philanthropy through capital support grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Eligible organizations include non-profit, 501(c)(3) music education and performance entities located within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Projects funded may include construction, renovation, or equipment purchases. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that enhance music education while excluding non-music related venues and general operating expenses.

About the Presser Foundation
In the charter of incorporation, The Foundation’s purposes are set forth to promote primarily the cause of musical education and musical philanthropy as follows: to provide scholarships for promising students; to increase the value of music education by erecting suitable buildings; and to administer aid to worthy teachers of music in distress.
While The Foundation’s priorities have evolved over time, it has provided much needed funding to further the cause of music for over 75 years. It has been said that Theodore Presser wanted to give back to music what he had made from it. When he died in 1925, he left no children. He had been widowed twice, and the bulk of his fortune was left to The Foundation.
The small staff and Board of Trustees continue to oversee the work of The Foundation. The Foundation is fortunate to have had a founder who clearly stated the purpose which he desired to achieve. The Board of Trustees includes prominent local and national leaders in music. All Trustees share a passion for music and all are committed to carrying out the intentions of the benefactor.
Introduction & Purpose
The Trustees of The Presser Foundation created the Capital Support Committee to consider requests for grants, typically between $5,000 and $100,000 annually to support capital projects of music organizations working in a broad range of traditions, genres, and styles. The Presser Foundation does not support theater, commercial music theater, dance, or other non-music-focused venues.
Capital projects include the construction of new facilities and renovation, repair, or expansion of existing facilities. The Committee also considers proposals for capital needs, including (but not limited to) hardware, software, and equipment.
Examples of projects that have received funding:

• Construction of a new music building
• Renovation of a room to be used to house music scores
• Upgrades to audio, video, and lighting equipment
• Purchase of an outdoor screen
• Purchase of the software GarageBand for after-school students
• Purchase of recording studio equipment

Eligibility

Non-profit, 501(c)(3) music performance, music presenting or music education organizations.Pre-collegiate music education organizations include: after school music programs, community music schools, music preparatory divisions and youth instrumental and vocal programs.Organizations that are in Pennsylvania (including Harrisburg), New Jersey, Delaware or Maryland and are within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia are eligible to apply.Grants will be considered at the discretion of Trustees of the Foundation to organizations having a music building previously supported by Theodore Presser, The Presser Foundation, or bearing the name “Presser”, regardless of location. These “legacy” institutions are eligible to receive support for significant capital projects.Multi-year requests will be considered. The first grant distribution will be made when construction commences.

Ineligibility

The Presser Foundation does not support theater, commercial music theater, dance or other non-music focused venues.Capital Support grants don’t cover general operating expenses, musical instruments, or supplies. Organizations in the New York and Baltimore metropolitan areas will not be considered for funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused mainly on music education, performance or presenting, based in and serving Greater Philadelphia: PA counties Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia; NJ counties Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem; DE New Castle. Pre-K-12 schools, theater, musical theater, dance and organizations that are not music-focused are ineligible.