Special Project Grant Program

The Presser Foundation administers the Special Projects grantmaking program, designed to support music-focused nonprofit organizations that fall outside the Foundation’s core funding initiatives. The Special Projects Committee, established by the Foundation’s Trustees, oversees this program to extend support toward emerging and underserved areas within the musical landscape. The Foundation historically supports a diverse array of music traditions, genres, and styles, and the Special Projects program enhances its flexibility to respond to the evolving needs of the music community. In fiscal year 2024-25, the Foundation allocated 9% of its total distributed funds—equating to $320,230 out of a $3.73 million grantmaking budget—toward Special Projects. For fiscal year 2025-26, the program continues to offer two primary funding opportunities. First, General Operating Support grants are available for newly established music organizations that are five years old or younger. Second, Resilience Grants are offered to small music organizations that have been negatively impacted by changes in government funding or policy. These Resilience Grants provide up to $7,500 in funding for organizations with operating budgets under $150,000. The Resilience Grant supports a range of organizational needs such as artistic or workforce development projects affected by funding cuts, legal or financial consulting services, fundraising and communications strategies, and collaborative cost-sharing efforts with other nonprofit organizations. Any initiative that sustains the organization’s core mission and financial viability amidst shifting arts funding conditions will be considered under this category. Substantive changes to any approved project must be pre-approved by The Presser Foundation, and failure to comply may result in revocation of funding or suspension from future grant opportunities. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) music organizations. These may include performance groups, presenting organizations, or pre-collegiate music education providers such as after-school programs, community music schools, preparatory divisions, and youth ensembles. While K-12 schools are not directly funded, nonprofit entities that offer music education programming within that age range are eligible. All applicants must be physically located within 75 miles of Philadelphia, covering parts of Pennsylvania (including Harrisburg), New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Organizations based in the New York and Baltimore metro areas are not eligible. Applications were due by September 15, 2025, and funding decisions were scheduled for release by November 1, 2025. The Foundation evaluates submissions based on several criteria aligned with its equity-focused values. These include the accomplishments of the applicant organization, its community impact, the relevance of its music programming, organizational stability, and demonstrated commitment to equitable access to music. The feasibility and community value of the organization’s programming, as well as its contributions to the broader music ecosystem, are also weighed in the decision-making process. Applicants should ensure that all submitted proposals are accurate and complete, and any proposed changes post-approval must be authorized by the Foundation to maintain funding eligibility. The Special Projects program continues to serve as a flexible funding mechanism for musical organizations navigating growth or adversity within a dynamic arts funding landscape.