Introduction & Purpose
The Trustees of The Presser Foundation created the Special Projects Committee to consider grant requests for special projects in music.
Grant amounts are typically between $5,000 and $25,000 annually (grant contribution not to exceed 50% of the special project’s budget) in support of special 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 productions.
Multi-year requests will be considered and should be submitted for projects greater than a year in duration. Second grants for subsequent years of a project will not be considered.
In 2023-24, 3% of The Presser Foundation’s distributed funds ($122,500/$3.43 million) went to Special Project grants.
Types of Projects Supported
- Pilot or new programs of music organizations that are intended to be embedded into ongoing programming
- First-time artistic collaborations that are intended to be ongoing (e.g., beyond a single performance or series) 1) between existing music organizations or 2) between an existing music organization and another artistic organization (a music organization must be the applicant and lead grant recipient)
- Initial general operating funding for newly established music organizations (up to 5 years in existence)
- With the mission and values of the Foundation in mind, Trustees of the Foundation may encourage or initiate other types of projects or efforts relevant to critical issues and priorities. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Committee will again consider proposals for planning grants up to $5,000 for efforts to center racial equity within music organizations. The aim of the grant is to help minimize a financial barrier for organizations getting started in this important work.
The Why
Important Dates
Decision Notification: November 1, 2024
Eligibility
- Non-profit, 501(c)(3) music organizations include: 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.
- Substantive changes from the accepted application 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 Foundation funds innovative ideas that advance the love of music in new ways and/or to new communities. Activities that are a regular part of an organization’s operation including annual festivals or other events, and/or larger than normal music productions or programming considered standard repertoire will not be considered for special project funding.
- Size, scope, and impact of the organization are considered when applications are reviewed.
Considering the Foundation’s Social Justice Statement and Values, applications will be judged on all of the following:
- 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 use and feasibility of the applicant organization’s programs
- The contribution of the applicant organization to the overall music community
FAQs
A: We consider pilot programs that will, barring any unexpected changes, be implemented into an organization’s ongoing programming in the future.
Q: 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 special projects?
A: No, you may not.
Q: I’m an accredited college, university, or independent institution of higher education within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Can I apply for special projects?
A: You may only apply for special projects if the grant is for a preparatory music program. You are not eligible for special project funding for the school or department or music.
Q: I’m a new organization to the Foundation, and I’m interested in applying for Special Projects. 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 Advancement of Music 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!