Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation Grant Program

The Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation provides grants with a core mission to support classical performances and music education. This aligns with the foundation's strategic priority to foster cultural enrichment through the arts. The grant program seeks to aid worthy music students in securing comprehensive musical education and to assist organizations in presenting orchestral music to the public. These efforts directly support the foundation's theory of change, which posits that investing in music education and access to classical performances will cultivate a more musically literate and appreciative society. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are students of music who require financial assistance for their education and organizations that present orchestral music, especially those operating for educational purposes. The foundation's impact goals include increasing access to classical music for diverse audiences and supporting under-resourced communities. By focusing on these beneficiaries, the foundation aims to broaden participation in and appreciation of classical music. The grantmaking priorities clearly focus on two key areas: providing educational support for music students and enhancing public access to orchestral music. Preference is given to organizations that serve under-resourced communities and those actively working to increase the diversity of their audiences. This demonstrates a strategic focus on equity and inclusion within the classical music landscape. The expected outcomes include a greater number of well-educated music students and a more diverse audience engaging with classical performances. While the grant details do not explicitly state measurable results in terms of specific metrics, the average grant size of $10,000 to $50,000, and a range of $10,000 to $100,000 for individual grants, indicate a significant investment in supporting these program areas. The requirement for eligible organizations to be 501(c)(3) exempt ensures accountability and alignment with charitable purposes. The three-year funding limit and subsequent one-year ineligibility period suggest a strategic approach to distributing funds among a wider array of organizations over time. Geographically, while there are no strict limitations, the trust primarily supports organizations within the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. This regional focus allows for a more concentrated impact within communities that the foundation has historically served. The foundation's overall strategic priority is to advance classical music through education and public performance, with a clear theory of change that by supporting these pillars, they can contribute to a vibrant cultural ecosystem.