The Presser Foundation

The Presser Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dedicated to supporting music and music education. It was created through the will of Theodore Presser, a music publisher and founder of The Etude Music Magazine, who died in 1925 and left the bulk of his fortune to establish a trust for musical education and musical philanthropy. The Foundation was formally established in 1939, fourteen years after his death. The Foundation's vision is that "equitable access to all musical experiences transforms communities and fosters connection, well-being, and joy." Its mission is to provide philanthropic support for music and music education in keeping with the will of its founder, funding the musical arts in their many dimensions and striving to serve a broad and diverse community of musicians, educators, and music lovers. Originally, the Foundation focused on providing scholarships for promising students, supporting the construction of buildings for music organizations, and directing aid to retired music teachers. Over time it has evolved to support a broad array of music genres, expand its grantmaking areas, convene nonprofit partners at special events, and collaborate with fellow funders. From 1995 to June 2021, The Presser Foundation gave more than $80 million to music organizations, undergraduate and graduate music students, and retired music teachers. The Foundation's grant programs include Advancement of Music (general operating support for music organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Area), Capital Support (grants for construction, renovation, repair, expansion, and capital needs such as hardware, software, and equipment), Special Projects (grants outside core grantmaking areas, by invitation), the Undergraduate Scholar Award (financial awards to promising undergraduate students at participating higher education institutions), and the Graduate Music Award (project-based awards to promising graduate students at invited institutions). It also provides Assistance to Music Teachers. The Presser Foundation continues to operate as a private foundation, carrying out Theodore Presser's legacy of supporting music education in the United States.

The Presser Foundation was established through the will of Theodore Presser, a music publisher and founder of The Etude Music Magazine. Born on July 3, 1848, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Presser came from a working-class family and developed a love for music, playing instruments such as guitar and piano without formal instruction. After losing his father at age 10, he postponed his education, and at 16 began selling tickets for the Strokosch Opera Company in a Pittsburgh music store. His diligence and business acumen eventually led him to build a career in music education and publishing. Presser died in 1925, having been widowed twice and without children. In his will, he directed that his fortune be held as a trust fund "to promote primarily the cause of musical education and musical philanthropy." The Presser Foundation was formally established 14 years after his death, in 1939. Originally, the Foundation sought to promote musical education and musical philanthropy by providing scholarships for promising students, supporting the construction of buildings for music organizations, and directing aid to retired music teachers. Over time, it evolved to support a broad array of music genres, expand its grantmaking areas, convene its nonprofit partners at special events, and collaborate with fellow funders, while continuing to follow the original intent and wishes of Theodore Presser. From 1995 to June 2021, The Presser Foundation gave more than $80 million to music organizations, undergraduate and graduate music students, and retired music teachers. The Foundation's grant programs have included Advancement of Music (general operating support for music organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Area), Capital Support (grants for construction, renovation, repair, expansion, and capital needs), Special Projects (grants outside core areas, by invitation), the Undergraduate Scholar Award, the Graduate Music Award, and Assistance to Music Teachers. As of the 2026-27 grant cycle, the Advancement of Music and Special Projects programs were combined into a single general operating support application process, with all eligible applicants applying through Advancement of Music. The Foundation continues to operate as a private foundation based in Philadelphia, carrying out Theodore Presser's legacy of supporting music education in the United States.

• 2026

  For the 2026-27 grant cycle, Advancement of Music and Special Projects combined into a single general operating support application process.

• 2021

  By June 2021, cumulative giving since 1995 exceeded $80 million.

• 1995

  Start of period during which the Foundation gave more than $80 million to music organizations, students, and retired music teachers through June 2021.

• 1939

  The Presser Foundation formally established, 14 years after Presser's death.

• 1925

  Theodore Presser dies, leaving the bulk of his fortune to establish a trust for musical education and musical philanthropy.

• 1848

  Theodore Presser born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A private philanthropic foundation dedicated to music education and musical philanthropy, rooted in the legacy of Theodore Presser.

1. 1Home - The Presser Foundationpresserfoundation.org
2. 2History - The Presser Foundationpresserfoundation.org
3. 3About - The Presser Foundationpresserfoundation.org
4. 4The Presser Foundation - Wikidatawikidata.org