← Back to US Funders Directory

Les Paul Foundation

Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Ready to apply to Les Paul Foundation?

Let our AI help you write a winning grant application in minutes, not hours.

Get 2 free AI applications →

Les Paul Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $42.3 million in assets (specific annual giving amount not publicly disclosed)
  • Total Grants Awarded: Over $4,000,000 since 2009
  • Number of Awards (2024): 63 grants
  • Decision Time: 2.5 months (approximately 10-11 weeks)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000 (first-time grants typically $1,500 - $2,000)
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S. only), with preference for New York, Tennessee, and California
  • Application Deadlines: January 15 and September 15 (semi-annual cycles)

Contact Details

Address: Les Paul Foundation, 485 Underhill Blvd., Suite 108, Syosset, NY 11791

Email: info@lespaulfoundation.org

Phone: (212) 687-3939

Website: https://www.les-paul.com/the-foundation/

Application Submission: Applications must be emailed to info@lespaulfoundation.org

Overview

The Les Paul Foundation was established in 1995 by music legend Les Paul, designed to remain dormant until his death in 2009. The foundation became active shortly thereafter, honoring Paul's wish to perpetuate support in the areas on which he focused his life. With assets of $42,289,748, the foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support of music education, recording technology, innovation, exhibits about Les Paul, and medical research related to hearing health. Since its activation, the foundation has awarded over $4,000,000 to nonprofit organizations that reflect its mission. The foundation takes a strategic approach to funding, requiring all applicants to demonstrate how they will share Les Paul's story and legacy in meaningful and innovative ways. In 2024, the foundation made 63 grants to organizations across the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Les Paul Foundation operates a semi-annual grant program with two application cycles per year:

  • Spring Cycle: January 15 deadline, April 1 decision notification
  • Fall Cycle: September 15 deadline, December 1 decision notification
  • Grant Amounts: $1,000 - $100,000 (first-time applicants typically receive $1,500 - $2,000)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis within fixed deadlines; submit completed application via email

Priority Areas

The foundation funds programs and projects that encourage innovation in the following areas:

Music Education & Recording

  • Music education programs emphasizing innovation in production and/or performance
  • Music recording and music industry education programs
  • Recording technology initiatives that align with Les Paul's pioneering work

STEM/STEAM Programs

  • Innovative STEM and STEAM programs for students in challenging situations
  • After-school science and music programs
  • Programs that emphasize innovation and align with Les Paul's interdisciplinary approach

Public Exhibits

  • Exhibits presenting Les Paul's life, achievements, and innovations
  • Educational displays about Les Paul's contributions to music and technology

Medical Research

  • Research related to curing tinnitus and hearing impairment
  • Hearing health programs and initiatives
  • Partnerships with organizations like the Hearing Health Foundation

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does NOT fund:

  • Individuals
  • Political organizations
  • Religious organizations
  • Labor organizations
  • Business organizations
  • General operating expenses
  • Capital campaigns
  • Event sponsorships
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Organizations operating outside the United States

Governance and Leadership

Michael Braunstein, Executive Director

  • Les Paul's business manager who became Executive Director after Paul's death
  • Has stated: "Les Paul spent his life encouraging others to be innovative and created opportunities that made the world a better place"
  • Actively represents the foundation at grant presentations and exhibits

Sue Baker, Program Director

  • Developed a close friendship with Les Paul during the last decade of his life when she was executive director at a museum in his hometown of Waukesha, Wisconsin
  • Joined the foundation in 2011 at Michael Braunstein's invitation
  • Continues Les Paul's legacy through presentations about Les and creating classroom resources
  • Has personal insight into Les Paul's vision and values

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

  • Confirm your organization has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Verify your organization operates programs within the United States
  • Ensure your project aligns with the foundation's funding priorities
  • Note: Organizations may only file one grant request per calendar year

Step 2: Download the Current Application Form

  • Access the most recent application form at https://www.les-paul.com/the-foundation/
  • Critical: Ensure you have the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Applications submitted on outdated forms will not be considered

Step 3: Complete the Application

  • Address all required fields thoroughly
  • Include your complete organizational budget
  • Required: Describe specifically how Les Paul's story will be shared through your project
  • Demonstrate funding from sources beyond the Les Paul Foundation
  • Ensure personnel, timeline, and budget are realistic and consistent with your project

Step 4: Submit via Email

  • Save the completed application form
  • Attach to an email along with all requested documents (including organizational budget)
  • Send to: info@lespaulfoundation.org
  • Submit by the applicable deadline (January 15 or September 15)

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines: January 15 and September 15

Decision Notifications: Approximately 2.5 months after deadline

  • Spring cycle (January 15 deadline): April 1 notification
  • Fall cycle (September 15 deadline): December 1 notification

Post-Decision: Successful organizations receive checks after the decision date. The foundation discourages applicants from contacting them post-submission; rely on the provided timeline for decisions.

Success Rates

While the foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rates or total application numbers, they awarded 63 grants in 2024. Given the competitive nature of the program and the foundation's emphasis on alignment with Les Paul's legacy, applicants should ensure strong mission alignment before applying.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit only one grant request per calendar year. The foundation has not publicly disclosed specific policies regarding unsuccessful applicants, but the one-application-per-year rule applies to all organizations. For clarification on reapplication after an unsuccessful submission, contact the foundation directly.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements (Based on Foundation Guidance)

1. Sharing Les Paul's Story (Non-Negotiable) The foundation explicitly states: "All organizations must describe how Les Paul's story will be shared." This is the most critical component of any application.

  • Be specific and meaningful: The foundation emphasizes that applicants must "inspire students/audience by sharing Les Paul's story in an innovative and effective way"
  • Not sufficient: Simply listing the foundation's name in a program or placing it on a plaque
  • Required approach: Clearly articulate how the project will share Les Paul's legacy in a meaningful and visible way through programming, educational materials, exhibits, or student engagement

2. Innovation and Creativity Following Les Paul's legacy of innovation, successful applications demonstrate:

  • Innovative approaches to music education or STEM/STEAM programming
  • Creative integration of technology and music
  • Forward-thinking program design that pushes boundaries

3. Realistic First-Time Requests The foundation advises: "Begin relationship with the Foundation with realistic funding request"

  • First-time grants typically range from $1,500 to $2,000
  • Don't request $100,000 on your first application
  • Build the relationship over time

4. Demonstrated Sustainability

  • Show funding from sources beyond the Les Paul Foundation
  • Demonstrate that your project doesn't solely depend on this grant
  • Provide evidence of organizational financial health

5. Consistency and Alignment The foundation looks for applications where "personnel, timeline and budget should be consistent with project/program"

  • Ensure your budget matches your proposed activities
  • Make sure your timeline is realistic
  • Verify your staffing plan can deliver the proposed outcomes

Examples of Successful Grant Recipients

Ramapo College (New Jersey)

  • Received grant to build the Les Paul Studio for Music Recording and Sound Design
  • State-of-the-art facility bridges analog and digital sound
  • Features separate control room, live room, and isolated vocal booth
  • Incorporates Les Paul's legacy into curriculum for Recording Arts and Communication Arts courses
  • Project leveraged Les Paul's connection to Mahwah, where he lived

Other Notable Recipients

  • Grammy Museum
  • Guitars for Vets
  • Jazz House Kids
  • Hearing Health Foundation
  • Little Kids Rock
  • Notes for Notes
  • Soulsville Foundation/Stax Music Academy

Red Flags to Avoid

  • Using outdated application forms (automatic rejection)
  • Submitting more than one application per calendar year
  • Failing to explain how Les Paul's story will be shared
  • Requesting only sponsorship or operating expenses
  • Political, religious, or business organization applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Make Les Paul central to your narrative: Every application must meaningfully incorporate how Les Paul's story, innovations, and legacy will be shared through the project. Generic mentions won't suffice—be specific and creative.

  2. Start small and build the relationship: First-time applicants typically receive $1,500-$2,000. Don't ask for the maximum grant amount on your first application; demonstrate success and build trust over time.

  3. Emphasize innovation: Les Paul was an inventor and pioneer. Applications should highlight innovative approaches to music education, technology integration, or creative problem-solving that embody his spirit.

  4. Geographic advantage for NY, TN, and CA: While the foundation accepts applications from across the U.S., they show preference for New York, Tennessee, and California—consider how your location or partnerships might align.

  5. Use the correct application form: Only the most current version will be considered. Download fresh from the website before each submission cycle.

  6. Respect the one-application-per-year limit: Choose your timing wisely. If your project isn't ready or you're uncertain about fit, wait for the next cycle rather than rushing a weak application.

  7. Focus on students in challenging situations: The foundation specifically mentions supporting "students and others in challenging situations" in STEM/STEAM programs—applications serving underserved populations may have an advantage.

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get 2 free AI applicatonsLearn More

Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know

← Back to US Funders Directory