Applying for a Grant

The Presser Foundation uses an online grant management system powered by Foundant.  The system allows for all prospective and current grantees to submit applications and reports online. Click on the “APPLY NOW” button in the navigation page to access the system. 

Review the FAQs below to learn more.

Eligibility

What types of organizations does The Presser Foundation fund?

  • For the three grantmaking areas (Advancement of Music, Capital Support, and Special Projects) concentrated in the Greater Philadelphia region, you must be an organization primarily focused on music within a 75-mile radius of Center City Philadelphia.
  • Undergraduate Scholar Award institutions are included in the program by invitation from the Scholar Award Committee.
  • Graduate Music Award institutions are included in the program by invitation from the Scholar Award Committee.
  • Consideration for the Assistance to Music Teacher program is given to retired music teachers who have contributed to their profession in a profound way and have demonstrated financial need.
  • We are open to applications from 501(c)(3) public charities, fiscally sponsored organizations/programs, and supporting organizations.

How many years of operating experience must an organization have before applying?

  • A newly established organization (under five years old) is welcome to apply under Special Projects for general operating support. Please contact Rachael at rgartner@presserfoundation.org.

I’m a small nonprofit organization. Can I still apply?

Does The Presser Foundation fund individual musicians or music educators?

  • The Presser Foundation does not currently directly fund individual musicians or non-retired music educators. We fund music organizations who support, employ, and/or contract with musicians and music educators.
  • We support retired music teachers with financial need through our Assistance to Music Teachers grantmaking area.

Can I apply if music is one of the foci of my organization, but not the sole focus?

  • You must be a music-centered organization.

What doesn’t The Presser Foundation fund?

  • Unless you are a higher education institution in our Scholar and Music Award grantmaking programs, organizations outside of a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia are not funded. We also do not fund organizations in the Baltimore or New York metropolitan areas. 
  • We do not fund individual artists, schools of all levels, high school bands, museums, organizations that do not have music as their primary focus, and arts organizations that only offer music as a small component of their programming.
    • We do not support K-12 schools directly. Rather we support the nonprofit music organizations that provide music education and music programming.
  • The Presser Foundation does not support theater, commercial music theater, dance or other non-music productions.

Can I apply if my organization is outside of Philadelphia?

  • Your organization must be in the Greater Philadelphia region, within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia, and not include Baltimore and New York metropolitan areas. 
  • Grants will be considered 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.

My music organization is within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Can I apply for more than one grantmaking area?

  • Yes! If you fit the eligibility and criteria of more than one local grantmaking area, you may apply.

Do you give multi-year grants?

  • Yes, the Foundation considers multi-year requests for Capital Support and Special Projects. Advancement of Music multi-year partners are invited to apply by the Advancement of Music Committee.

Am I eligible to receive a grant if my organization is incorporated in Delaware but provides services outside of Greater Philadelphia?

  • No, you are not eligible to receive a grant if your organization’s programs are not located in and focused on Greater Philadelphia.

I’m an accredited college, university, or independent institution of higher education with a school/department of music outside of the 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Can I apply for a grant?

  • No, you are not eligible for the three regional grantmaking areas (Advancement of Music, Capital Support, Special Projects).

I’m an accredited college, university, or independent institution of higher education within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Can I apply for a grant?

  • Advancement of Music – You may only apply for Advancement of Music if the grant is for a preparatory music program. You are not eligible for operating support for the school or department of music.
  • Capital Support – Yes, you may.
  • Special Projects – You may only apply for Special Projects if the grant is for a new preparatory music program. You are not eligible for special project funding for the school or department or music.

Can I apply for Capital Support to use for renovations to rental property/ies?

  • We’d like to understand your long-term plan for building usage, so please contact the Foundation directly.
Applying & Updating Your Profile

I’m a new music organization to the Foundation, and I’m interested in applying for a grant. How do I learn more about The Presser Foundation and this grantmaking area?

  • Please review each of our grantmaking programs to review the eligibility and criteria requirements. 

I’m the new point person for a previously approved grant. How do I login to complete follow-ups/reporting or begin a new grant?

Can I see the grant application questions without logging in?

  •  If you would like to see the application questions, please email Rachael at rgartner@presserfoundation.org.

How do I access an application that I’ve already started?

  • Use this link to login to Foundant, our grantmaking management system.

When are the deadlines for each of the grantmaking areas? When will I find out if my application will be awarded or declined?

  • Please visit the homepage for the application and notification deadlines for the grantmaking areas.

Does the Foundation review letters of inquiry (LOIs?)

What factors are considered to receive general operating support?

  • Your leadership, your finances, your music programming, and your work toward promoting equitable access to music are all considered.

I missed the application deadline. Can I still apply?

Does the Foundation give feedback if my application has been declined?

  • Yes, we will provide feedback about why your application was denied. Feel free to ask us any questions.

How often can I apply for a grant?

  • You are welcome to apply once a year for each local grantmaking area if you are eligible and there are no outstanding grants, including follow-up reports. You are welcome to apply for more than area (e.g. applying for both Advancement of Music and Special Projects) if you are eligible.

How often do grant recipients submit reports to the Foundation?

  • Generally, we ask for reports/updates to be submitted once a year following the completion of the season/performance/event. 

What does the Foundation do with the reports you submit?

  • We use the reports to inform the respective committee and the larger board about your work. We also like to make connections between partners based on the information in their reports. We like to share information about your efforts on our social media platforms and in other communications. 
During the Grant Term

Does the Foundation offer extensions on reports?

Can I change my proposal after I’ve received funding?

What types of reports does The Presser Foundation accept?

  • In 2025-26, The Presser Foundation is waiving the final reporting requirement for prior year general operating grants through Advancement of Music and Special Projects if the organization submits an application for 2025-26 within these grantmaking areas.
  • For other grants, the Foundation accepts a written report submitted through its grants management system.
Beyond Grantmaking

What is Next Movement?

  • The Presser Foundation hosts Next Movement forums/events, where interested partners come together to share ideas and information on relevant topics. Previous subjects have included various Advancing Racial Equity efforts in music organizations, understanding strategic agility, and centering community voice. 

How can I share information about my organization’s performances and events?

  • Please contact Abby at arolland@presserfoundation.org if you would like to share information or extend an invitation to an upcoming performance or event.