Introduction & Purpose
The Trustees of The Presser Foundation created the Capital Support Committee to consider requests for grants typically between $10,000 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 will also consider proposals for capital needs including (but are not limited to) hardware, software, and equipment.
It does not include grants to cover general operating expenses, musical instruments, or supplies.
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 a bus for transportation of students to afterschool program
- Purchase of the software GarageBand for afterschool students
- Purchase of recording studio equipment
In 2022-23, 24.5% of The Presser Foundation’s distributed funds ($876,000/$3.58 million) went to Capital Support grants.
The Why
By providing capital support, The Presser Foundation hopes that music buildings and spaces become more functional, more accessible, more collaborative, and more innovative. The Foundation seeks to provide capital funding to music organizations in order to enhance the learning and performance experience for students, audiences, and/or musicians.
Important Dates
Decision Notification: May 1, 2024
Eligibility
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. Substantive changes from the application accepted require the approval of The Presser Foundation. Failure to adhere could result in the revocation of grant funds and/or a suspension of granting privileges for a period of time as determined by the Foundation’s Board.
Criteria
- 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 diversity, equity, inclusion, access, anti-racism, and anti-bigotry 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
FAQs
A: The Foundation supports projects that enhance the educational, audience, or artist experience. Previous examples of supported projects include building a performance hall or practice suite, renovating a performance hall or practice suit, expanding a stage, supporting ADA enhancements, and more. The Foundation is less likely to support vestibules, bathrooms, and other non-audience or performer focused improvements.
Q: Can we apply for Capital Support to use for renovations to rental property/ies?
A: We’d like to understand your long-term plan for building usage, so please reach out to Teresa Rodgers at trodgers@presserfoundation.org.
Q: Does the Foundation support applications for maintenance projects?
A: No, the Foundation does not support regular, annual maintenance projects.
Q: Does the Foundation support the purchase of equipment & musical instruments?
A: The Foundation will consider requests for equipment needs. It will not support the purchase of musical instruments.
Q: I’m a new organization to be considered by the Foundation, and I’m interested in applying for Capital Support. How do I learn more about The Presser Foundation and this grantmaking area?
A: Please contact Teresa Rodgers at trodgers@presserfoundation.org.
Q: I’m the new point person for The Presser Foundation Capital Support grant. How do I login to complete follow-ups/reporting or begin a new grant?
A: Please contact Rachael Gartner at rgartner@presserfoundation.org, and we will help get you set up!
Q: I’m an accredited college, university, or independent institution of higher education with a school/department of music outside of a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Can I apply for Capital Support?
A: No, you may not.
Q: I’m an accredited college, university, or independent institution of higher education with a school/department of music within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Can I apply for Capital Support for my school/department of music?
A: Yes, you may.
Introduction & Purpose
Capital projects include the construction of new facilities and renovation, repair, or expansion of existing facilities. It does not include grants to cover general operating expenses, equipment, and musical instruments.
In 2021-22, 29% of The Presser Foundation’s distributed funds ($1.148 million/$3.96 million) went to Capital Support grants.
The Why
Important Dates
Decision Notification: May 1, 2023
Eligibility
- 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.
- 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. Organizations in the New York and Baltimore metropolitan areas will not be considered for funding.
- 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. Substantive changes from the application accepted require the approval of The Presser Foundation. Failure to adhere could result in the revocation of grant funds and/or a suspension of granting privileges for a period of time as determined by the Foundation’s Board.
Criteria
- 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 diversity, equity, inclusion, access, anti-racism, and anti-bigotry 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
FAQs
- What does The Presser Foundation typically fund within the Capital Support grantmaking area?
- The Foundation supports projects that enhance the educational, audience, or artist experience. Previous examples of supported projects include building a performance hall or practice suite, renovating a performance hall or practice suit, expanding a stage, supporting ADA enhancements, and more. The Foundation is less likely to support vestibules, bathrooms, and other non-audience or performer focused improvements.
- Can we 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 reach out to Teresa Rodgers at trodgers@presserfoundation.org.
- Does the Foundation support applications for maintenance projects?
- No, the Foundation does not support regular, annual maintenance projects.
- Does the Foundation support the purchase of equipment & musical instruments?
- These requests are not supported, unless they are part of a larger building project or renovation.
- I’m a new organization to be considered by the Foundation, and I’m interested in applying for Capital Support. How do I learn more about The Presser Foundation and this grantmaking area?
- Please contact Teresa Rodgers at trodgers@presserfoundation.org.
- I’m the new point person for The Presser Foundation Capital Support grant. How do I login to complete follow-ups/reporting or begin a new grant?
- Please contact Abby Rolland at arolland@presserfoundation.org, and we will help get you set up!
- I’m an accredited college, university, or independent institution of higher education with a school/department of music outside of a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Can I apply for Capital Support?
- No, you may not.
- I’m an accredited college, university, or independent institution of higher education with a school/department of music within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Can I apply for Capital Support for my school/department of music?
- Yes, you may.