The Presser Foundation Announces More Than $200,000 in Special Project Grants for Music Organizations
- Resilience Grants for Small Music Organizations Affected by Government Funding or Policy Changes: $73,235 given to 12 organizations*
- General Operating Support for Newer Music Organizations: $128,500 granted to 16 recipients*
*3 organizations will receive both a Resilience Grant & General Operating Support.
Additionally, the Foundation will honor $77,500 in previous commitments, bringing the total impact to $281,235.
Peter Burwasser, Chair of the Special Projects Committee, emphasized the resilience and creativity behind this year’s grants:
“In times of increasing uncertainty, The Presser Foundation is committed to providing the necessary support for our grantees to not only survive but thrive. Resilience Grants, introduced this year, are intended to help music organizations with budgets under $150,000 to adapt and innovate in response to changes in government funding of the arts. The wide range of projects and partnerships with schools, other nonprofits, and local corporations demonstrates the many ways that small music organizations seek to strengthen their work.”
Burwasser added, “We are especially pleased that this year sets two records for general operating support to newer music organizations: the highest total amount awarded, and the greatest number of organizations supported since the category’s inception. Despite the challenges faced by cultural arts more broadly, music in the Greater Philadelphia Area remains vibrant and vital to cultural connection and community wellbeing.”
2025-26 Special Projects Grantees (in alphabetical order by category)
Resilience Grants
- Arcana New Music Ensemble
- Art Sphere
- Aurora Classical
- Berks Opera Company
- Crescendo Phoenixville
- Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society
- Philomusica Chorale
- The Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble
- Wildflower Composers
General Operating Support
- Art City Opera
- Artcinia
- B.U.I.L.T. (Bringing Unity into Lives Together)
- Elevate Vocal Arts
- East Brunswick Symphony Orchestra
- Epiphany Singers
- Fire Museum Presents
- IndependentSounds
- Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra
- Philly Pops
- Serafin Presents
- The Heart of Jazz Foundation
- The Primavera Fund
Resilience Grant + General Operating Support
About The Presser Foundation
The Presser Foundation was established in 1939 under the will of the late Theodore Presser. It is one of the few private foundations in the United States dedicated solely to music education and music philanthropy. The Presser Foundation considers applications for funding from music organizations working in a broad range of traditions, genres, and styles through general operating and program grants (Greater Philadelphia); capital grants for music building projects (Greater Philadelphia); undergraduate and graduate student awards (national); and assistance to retired music teachers (national). The Foundation is committed to equitable, transparent, and forward-thinking philanthropy. For more information: www.presserfoundation.org
