Advancement of Music

The Committee for the Advancement of Music considers requests for grants typically between $2,500 and $50,000 annually for general operating support of music organizations working in a broad range of traditions, genres, and styles. The Trustees of The Presser Foundation established the Advancement of Music grantmaking area to provide flexible funding to music-focused organizations. The Presser Foundation does not support theater, commercial music theater, dance, or other non-music productions.

In 2024-25, 39% of The Presser Foundation’s distributed funds ($1.45 million/$3.73 million) went to Advancement of Music grants.

Music organizations know their stakeholders best, know their communities best, and know their needs the most. We respect that knowledge and seek to provide the flexible support that they need to pursue their missions.

Decision Notification: March 1, 2026

1. Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) music performance, music presenting or music education organizations (pre-collegiate). Pre-collegiate music education organizations include after school music programs, community music schools, music preparatory divisions, and youth instrumental and vocal programs. The Foundation does not directly support K-12 schools, but funds nonprofit music organizations that provide music education and music programming.
2. Organizations that are in Greater Philadelphia including Pennsylvania (including Harrisburg), New Jersey, Delaware or Maryland and are within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia are eligible to apply. Organizations in the New York and Baltimore metropolitan areas will not be considered for funding.
3. Newly established music organizations (within 5 years) are considered under Special Projects.

The Presser Foundation gives single-year and multi-year support. Organizations are invited to apply for multi-year support by the Foundation’s Advancement of Music committee.

• The strengths and accomplishments of the applicant organization
• The relationship between the music programming of the applicant organization and the needs of the community(ies) served
• The applicant organization’s history and stability, as well as its long-term impact on the community
• How a commitment to equitable access to music is reflected in the applicant organization
• The value and feasibility of the applicant organization’s programs
• The contribution of the applicant organization to the overall music community