Introduction & Purpose
The Trustees of The Presser Foundation created the Capital Support Committee to consider requests for grants, typically between $5,000 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; renovation, repair, or expansion of existing facilities; and capital needs, including (but not limited to) hardware, software, and equipment.
Capital Support grants don’t cover general operating expenses, musical instruments, supplies, or regular, annual maintenance projects.
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 the software GarageBand for after-school students
- Purchase of recording studio equipment
In 2024-25, 22% of The Presser Foundation’s distributed funds ($834,120/$3.73 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, 2026
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 equitable access to music 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