Quick Summary
Name: The Meredith And Rosemary Willson Charitable Foundation (aka The Music Man Foundation) Status: Active Grant Maker
Key Facts
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Giving | $4,238,030 (2024) |
| Grant Range | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Average Grant | $106,000 (approx) |
| Application Method | Fixed Deadline / Invitation Only (varies by program) |
Contact Details
- Website: https://www.musicmanfoundation.org
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (Glendale office)
- EIN: 46-1015108
Geographic Focus
Primary focus on Southern California (Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties) for general operating grants. Also funds nationally-focused advocacy and strategic partnership grants in California, New York, and Iowa.
Funding Priorities
- Music-based system change: Organizations using music to catalyze enduring change in schools, healthcare, and community services
- Arts education: Music and arts programs in educational settings
- Arts advocacy: Organizations advocating for increased public funding to arts programs and pro-arts/pro-artist policies
- Performing arts and music: Support for music-centered nonprofits
- Community-based music programs: Organizations deploying music for social impact
What They Don't Fund
- New program development (grants focus on general operating support, not new programs)
- Fiscally sponsored organizations
- Organizations without 501(c)(3) status since January 2023 or before
- Organizations with structural deficits
- Organizations that have not been conducting music programming since January 2023 or before
- Individual artists or for-profit entities
Application Method
General Operating Grants (Meredith Willson Awards):
- Two-stage process: Leadership Letter (typically January deadline), followed by invitation to submit full application (typically April deadline)
- Awards granted to 5-10 organizations annually
- Multi-year grants ($50,000-$500,000 over two years)
Advocacy Grants (Strengthening the Sector):
- Application process with specific deadlines
- Grants up to $250,000 in a 12-month period
Strategic Partnerships:
- By invitation only
- Case-by-case due diligence process
Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests outside of formal application periods.
References
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