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 foundations better serve their partners and community? The Presser Foundation has pondered this question, and over the past several years, adapted several of its practices to better assist its current partners and reach out to new ones as well.
If you look at the Foundation’s history, the focus was on supporting classical music organizations, as this was among the most popular genres of music. Theodore Presser studied and taught classical music. He created and published a magazine focused on classical music. His eponymous company printed classical sheet music. And so, the foundation he perpetually endowed focused on giving grants to music organizations that perform, present, or educate (via) classical music.
As times have changed, so too has the Foundation. Different people connect with different forms and kinds of music. A couple of years ago, the Foundation began considering the idea of expanding its mission to give to organizations that create all types of music. It adapted its guidelines for the 2019-20 fiscal year to welcome music organizations of all genres and traditions to apply for grants.
Since then, several wonderful organizations have applied and received grants. Organizations previously ineligible, such as Mamadêlê Foundation, Sruti, Rock to the Future, and Beyond the Bars, have received general operating support. The Presser Foundation is proud to support them, while also continuing to give to organizations which have long received grants.
Another way that the Foundation seeks to be a better community partner is its increased focus on providing general operating support. Read many foundation “best practices” focused articles (see one report from the Center for Effective Philanthropy as an example), and you’ll understand why operating support (and not solely project support*) is essential. Nonprofits are the experts in their area and can better serve their clients and communities when they receive unrestricted support.
As The Presser Foundation’s endowment has grown, its Advancement of Music/general operating support budget has increased.
| Fiscal Year | Funds Distributed |
| 2015-2016 | $417,500 |
| 2016-2017 | $700,000 |
| 2017-2018 | $828,000 |
| 2018-2019 | $865,500 |
| 2019-2020^ | $1,028,500 |
| 2020-2021 | $1,166,500 |
| 2021-2022 | $1,350,500 |
^Not included in the number listed is an additional $521,500 given to grantees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Foundation’s staff and board know that these unrestricted funds are one of the best ways that we can express support and trust in what nonprofits determine are the best ways to spend the money. And in the end, doesn’t that help them make the most difference possible?
We’re pleased with the progress made thus far, and hopeful that these efforts strengthen the relationships we have with new and returning partners. We’re always open to new ideas and feedback, though. Do you have ideas for how we can be more responsive to the community within the focus on music? Let us know!
*The Presser Foundation does have a Special Projects grantmaking area. Two things to note – the Foundation does not require that Special Projects funding only go to the program specifically. We expect that operating/overhead/indirect costs are included in a project proposal. In addition, eligible organizations are welcome to apply for both general operating support from Advancement of Music and Special Projects funds. So even if the organization receives specific project funding, it can also receive general operating support.
