Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $3,621,475 in grants paid (tax year 2023, from 990-PF field: contrpdpbks)
- Number of Grants: 78 grants in 2023
- Average Grant: $46,429 (based on 2023 990-PF data)
- Total Assets: $1,596,428 (tax year 2023)
- Geographic Focus: National (United States and territories)
- Application Method: No public application (initiative concluded in 2024)
Contact Details
- Website: https://www.thelewisprize.org
- Contact Form: https://www.thelewisprize.org/get-in-touch
- Archive managed by: Interlochen Center for the Arts
Funding Priorities
The Lewis Prize for Music was a 5-year, $20 million philanthropic initiative (2019-2024) focused on Creative Youth Development (CYD) through music. The foundation supported:
- Music education programmes for young people, particularly those in underserved communities
- Creative Youth Development organisations combining music with mentoring and social services
- Community change initiatives using music to establish equity
- Organisations serving at-risk children and young adults, including those affected by violence or homelessness
- Systems change to ensure equitable access to music programmes
Key programme areas included:
- Accelerator Awards (up to $500,000 for multi-year community change initiatives)
- Infusion Awards ($150,000 for creating new musical platforms and pathways)
- COVID-19 Community Response Fund ($1.25 million to 32 CYD organisations)
What They Don't Fund
The foundation only made contributions to preselected charitable organisations and did not accept unsolicited requests for funds during its active period.
Application Process & Timeline
Current Status: The Lewis Prize for Music initiative concluded in 2024. The foundation is no longer accepting new applications. The 2024 Accelerator Awards application closed in June 2023.
Historical Process: Applications were evaluated through a rigorous process incorporating input from diverse leaders in music, education, policy, research, philanthropy, and community organising. Finalists and awardees were selected through a competitive process, with semi-finalists receiving $15,000 recognition grants.
Recent Grant Pattern
Based on most recent 990-PF grant records, the foundation supported Creative Youth Development music organisations across the United States and its territories. Recent recipients included organisations focused on music education in underserved communities, such as Hip Hop Into Learning (Louisville), Mana Maoli (Honolulu), Memphis Music Initiative, Rock to the Future, Juneau Alaska Music Matters, Healthy Hood Chicago, and Brandon House Cultural & Performing Arts (Little Rock, Arkansas). Grants ranged from $15,000 recognition awards for semi-finalists to $500,000 for major Accelerator Awards, with Infusion Awards at $150,000.
References
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