The Presser Foundation Announces Nearly $2 Million in New Capital Support Grants

PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on the Greater Philadelphia Area's rich ecosystem of music performance, education, and community engagement, The Presser Foundation announces new Capital Support grants to thirty-five music organizations. These grants, totaling $1,954,200 and paid over six years provides both single year and multi-year support to music organizations. The Foundation will also make payments on previous and deferred commitments totaling an additional $547,500. A full listing by category of the forty-four grantee organizations is below.

These grants are designated for capital projects of music presenting, music performing and music education organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Capital projects typically include the construction of new facilities and the renovation or expansion of existing facilities. The Foundation also provided for a one-time extension of grant guidelines to consider the equipment and supply needs of organizations as they continue to respond to the pandemic with innovative, uplifting and inspiring music programming.

Corey R. Smith, Chair of the Capital Support Committee, commented on these grants, "Given the environment of continued uncertainty due to the pandemic, the Foundation is pleased to be in the position to support music organizations of a great variety of scale and purpose. These grants will support the purchase of a computer, equipment for recording, supplies for summer camps, a micro-stage, and needed maintenance and renovation of buildings. We want our music organizations to come roaring back when it is safe to do so, because so many musicians, students, and enthusiasts depend on them." 

2021 Capital Support Grantees (in alphabetical order by category)

Traditional Large Capital Projects - $1,760,000 in Multi-Year Grants
Community Music School Lehigh Valley
Curtis Institute of Music
EMEAPP (Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project)
Kimmel Center, Inc.
Kutztown University Foundation
LiveConnections DBA World Cafe Live
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute
Settlement Music School
The Music School of Delaware
West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

COVID-Related Capital Needs - $194,200 in Single Year Grants
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
ArtSmart
Berks Youth Chorus
Bowerbird
Chester Children's Chorus
Choir School of Delaware
Choral Arts Philadelphia
Commonwealth Youthchoirs
Community Conservatory
Community Music School of Collegeville
Darlington Arts Center
Esperanza
Friends of the Wanamaker Organ
Harrisburg Symphony Association
Musicopia
OperaDelaware
Orchestra 2001
Philadelphia Sinfonia Association
Princeton Symphony Orchestra
PRISM Quartet, Inc.
Reading Symphony Orchestra
Singing City
Sruti
Tempesta di Mare, Inc.

Previous & Deferred Capital Project Commitments - $547,500 in Multi-Year Grants
Haverford College
Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation
Lebanon Valley College
Lafayette College
Rider University – Westminster Choir College
Swarthmore College
Stetson University
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
University of the Arts

About The Presser Foundation
The Presser Foundation was established in 1939 under the Deeds of Trust and Will of the late music publisher 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 proposals for funding from music organizations working in a broad range of traditions, genres, and styles and provides general operating and program grants to music organizations; capital grants for music building projects; undergraduate and graduate student awards; and assistance to retired music teachers. Much of the grant making focus of the Foundation is on organizations and institutions in the 75-mile radius surrounding Center City Philadelphia. For more information: www.presserfoundation.org.

Contact:  Teresa Araco Rodgers
267.519.5350                                                                                     
[email protected]

SOURCE The Presser Foundation