| Grant Making Areas
The Presser Foundation awards grants in
the following five categories. Please click on the appropriate
link to read about guidelines and eligibility, and to download
the application form.
CAPITAL SUPPORT Introduction and Purpose The Trustees of The Presser Foundation created the Capital
Support Committee in 1998 to consider requests for grants
of any size for support of a capital project that advances
the cause of music education or otherwise supports music
philanthropy. Capital projects include the construction of new facilities;
renovation, repair or expansion of existing facilities; acquisition
or repair of musical instruments, equipment and other property.
It does not include grants to cover general operating expenses. Eligibility Non-profit, 501(c)(3) music performance, presenting or
educational organizations are eligible to apply. Grants will be made with preference to:
- Organizations that are located in Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Delaware or Maryland and are within a 100-mile
radius of Philadelphia;
- And to organizations having a music building previously
supported by Theodore Presser, the Presser Foundation,
or bearing the name "Presser", regardless
of location.
Multi-year requests will be considered. Criteria Proposals will be judged on:
- the strengths and accomplishments
of the applicant organization,
- the relationship of the project to the applicant’s
capabilities and to the needs of the community,
- the long term impact of the project on the applicant
and the community,
- the value and feasibility of the project.
ADVANCEMENT OF MUSIC Introduction and Purpose The Committee for the Advancement of Music considers requests
for grants of any size for general operating support of music
organizations in order to advance the cause of music education
or otherwise support music philanthropy. Eligibility Non-profit, 501(c)(3) music performance, presenting or
educational organizations are eligible to apply. Grants will be made with preference to organizations that
are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware or Maryland
and are within a 100-mile radius of Philadelphia. Institutions with whom the Foundation has a long funding
history may be invited to apply for multi-year support. Criteria Proposals will be judged on:
- the strengths and accomplishments of the applicant organization,
- the value of the organization's program to the community,
- the history and stability of the organization,
- the contribution of the organization to the overall
musical community.
SPECIAL PROJECTS Introduction and Purpose The Trustees of The Presser Foundation created the Special
Projects Committee in 1998 to consider requests for grants
of any size for one-time special projects in music, including:
- Non-capital projects outside the scope of the normal
operations of a music organization,
- Collaborative efforts between organizations,
- And efforts that the Trustees of the Foundation may
encourage or initiate through a request for proposals to
the field or to specific organizations.
The purpose of the Special Projects Committee is to identify
special projects to recommend to the Trustees that are innovative,
compelling and fill a clearly defined organizational or community
need that advances the cause of music education or otherwise
supports music philanthropy. Activities that are a regular, continuing part of an organization's
operation will not be considered for special project funding. Eligibility Non-profit, 501(c)(3) music performance, presenting or
educational organizations or a consortia of non-profit organizations
led by a music organization are eligible to apply. Grants will be made with preference to organizations that
are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware or Maryland
and are within a 100-mile radius of Philadelphia. Multi-year requests will be considered and should be submitted
for projects that are greater than a year in duration. Second
grants for subsequent years of a project will not be considered.
Criteria Proposals will be judged on:
- the strengths and accomplishments of the applicant organization(s),
- the relationship of the project to the applicant’s
capabilities and to the needs of the community,
- the long term impact of the project on the applicant
and the community,
- the value and feasibility of the project.
ASSISTANCE
TO MUSIC TEACHERS
Theodore Presser was committed to the support of music
teachers, mindful of his own early struggles in the profession
and with a sense of gratitude for the thousands of teachers
who were the primary customers of his publication business.
In 1906, he established the Presser Home for Retired
Music Teachers in Philadelphia. When it was no longer practical
to maintain an independent facility, The Foundation created
an Assistance to Music Teachers Committee to carry on its
basic mission of financial support for retired or disabled
teachers in need.
Typically, the Committee provides modest monthly stipends
as pension supplements or to help with the cost of medical
insurance or care.
Awards are made to individuals living in the United States
whose primary occupation was as a teacher of music and
who can demonstrate financial need.
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLAR AWARD
Undergraduate schools of music at accredited colleges,
universities and independent institutions of higher education
are invited to apply for the opportunity to present the
Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award to an outstanding music
major whom they select.
The Award is a cash stipend of approximately $4,000 payable
at the beginning of the student's senior year. The exact
amount of the award varies from year to year on the basis
of the availability of funds and the number of awards that
the Committee approves.
The student is selected by the President of the School
and the Head of the Music Department solely on the basis
of the merit and achievement of the student. This award
is an honor award and the student, in his/her senior year,
is to be known as a Presser Scholar.
Schools of Music selected for participation in the Undergraduate
Scholar Award Program must maintain a minimum enrollment
of 40 undergraduate music majors, offer a curriculum of
study that includes at least one-third non-music academic
subjects, and show evidence of meeting high professional
standards for faculty, curriculum and facilities.
|
