By Abby Rolland Always learning. Open to change. Adapting to current realities. The three phrases above illustrate The Presser Foundation’s commitment to what I call “being a good partner.” We know that private foundations yield power over traditional nonprofits simply because of the reality of their perpetual endowments. With that idea in mind, how can…
By Abby Rolland Through a moving and impactful performance by Temple University students, the piece “Weather” stays in one’s mind long after the final note is played. Composed by Dr. Rollo Dilworth, Vice Dean at Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University and board member at The Presser Foundation, “Weather” is based on…
By Abby Rolland Questions around budgets, formatting budgets, and presenting budgets and financials motivated The Presser Foundation staff to put together a Next Movement virtual event on that topic. While we know at the Foundation that not all funders request financial information in the same format or have them presented in the same way, we…
This blog post was originally posted on Exponent Philanthropy’s blog. By Abby Rolland The Presser Foundation is the only foundation dedicated solely to funding music organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region. Its holistic approach to grantmaking also makes it unique among funders. The foundation gives to music organizations through special projects, general operating support, and…
Originally posted on The College of New Jersey’s website By Luke Sacks The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) music education major Cesar Gonzalez has been named a 2022 Presser Scholar and was presented with the award during the TCNJ Wind Ensemble concert on Saturday, April 30. He was nominated for the award by the…
The Presser Foundation Will Distribute $1.148 Million in Capital Support Grants This YearIn a continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Greater Philadelphia’s music organizations and their efforts, The Presser Foundation announces new Capital Support grants totaling $687,800 in single year and multi-year grants to 26 music organizations. The Foundation will also…
The Presser Foundation thanks Rosemary Hoitt of Ithaca College for writing this letter to us last fall. By Rosemary Hoitt, 2020-2021 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award Recipient I write this letter as a form of gratitude for the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award I am receiving. I know that this gift will help myself as well…
By Abby Rolland, Grants & Communications Manager It comes as no surprise that arts and cultural institutions have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these organizations rely heavily on ticket purchases and other earned income revenue streams to fund their programs and operations. With the total loss of all in-person audiences at the…
By Abby Rolland, Grants & Communications Manager To understand The Presser Foundation now, it’s important to understand the Foundation’s history, including the life and mindset of its founder, Theodore Presser. It all starts in 1848, with an individual born in Pittsburgh whose passion for music would grow throughout his life and become his life’s work.…
By Abby Rolland, Grants & Communications Manager In addition to understanding The Presser Foundation’s history and why it focuses on music philanthropy, recognizing the Foundation’s values and the role that they play in how the Foundation acts and works is key. The values, as well as the Foundation’s commitment to social justice, are embedded within…