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Colburn Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.9M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,870,997 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Invitation-based (92 awards made in 2023)
  • Decision Time: Rolling basis with quarterly board meetings
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - typically multi-year general operating support
  • Geographic Focus: Los Angeles and Southern California (with very few exceptions)

Contact Details

Colburn Foundation 11693 San Vicente Blvd #159 Los Angeles, CA 90049-5105

Phone: (818) 399-4427 Email: crinn@colburnfoundation.org Website: https://www.colburnfoundation.org/

Pre-Application Contact: Before submitting any application, you MUST email Carol Rinn, Grants Administrator, at crinn@colburnfoundation.org to determine the suitability of your request.

Overview

The Colburn Foundation was established in 1999 by the late Richard D. Colburn, a businessman who led Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED) and was a passionate amateur viola player. Mr. Colburn, who passed away in 2004 at age 92, was a lifetime director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and cofounder of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The foundation was created as an independent entity to "adhere faithfully to his firm wishes, to encourage the education and performance of classical music, and to preserve the classical music genre, i.e., works composed in the 17th to early 20th century." With annual giving of approximately $8.9 million and 92 awards made in 2023, the foundation focuses almost exclusively on the extensive Los Angeles classical music community, providing multi-year grants and general operating support to organizations engaged in classical music performance, education, and training.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Colburn Foundation provides grants on a rolling basis with four annual board meetings. Grant amounts vary widely and should be discussed directly with the foundation before applying. The foundation is known for:

  • Multi-year general operating support (most common grant type)
  • Scholarship support for educational institutions
  • Program support for classical music performance and education

Application submission windows for 2026:

  • December 17, 2025 – January 12, 2026
  • March 18 – April 12, 2026
  • June 24 – July 20, 2026
  • September 25 – October 21, 2026

Priority Areas

The foundation exclusively funds organizations engaged in classical music (17th to early 20th century compositions):

  • Performance and presentation of classical music
  • Classical music education programs
  • Training of classical musicians
  • Organizations primarily serving the Los Angeles and Southern California region
  • 501(c)(3) organizations only (no individual artists)

What They Don't Fund

The Colburn Foundation has explicit exclusions:

  • Individual artists or musicians
  • Commissions for new works
  • Composition programs
  • Organizations predominantly performing or educating in world music
  • Jazz programs or organizations
  • Modern or contemporary music (post-early 20th century)
  • Organizations outside Southern California (with very few exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Carol C. Grigor
  • Robert S. Attiyeh
  • David Colburn
  • Richard W. Colburn
  • Catherine Hogel
  • Gail Eichenthal
  • John P. Nuckols
  • Allison Sampson (Vice President/Executive Director)

Staff:

  • Allison Sampson - Vice President/Executive Director: Served as founding executive director from 1999-2008, leading the transition from first-generation founder to next-generation leadership. Returned to the foundation in 2022 after serving as Vice President and Executive Director for Emerson College's Los Angeles campus.
  • Carol Rinn - Grants Administrator: Primary contact for all grant inquiries
  • Layne Pinkernell - Treasurer

The foundation maintains its founder's vision through what Inside Philanthropy describes as adhering "faithfully to his firm wishes" regarding classical music preservation and education.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Colburn Foundation discourages unsolicited grant requests and operates through an invitation-based system. However, they will consider new ideas from organizations not currently in their portfolio.

Required Pre-Application Step: Before any application submission, you MUST email Carol Rinn, Grants Administrator, at crinn@colburnfoundation.org to:

  • Introduce your organization or music program
  • Determine the suitability of your intended request
  • Assess the foundation's receptiveness to your proposal

If the Foundation is Interested: If the foundation is familiar with your organization or program, they will want to meet with you and/or observe your program before encouraging you to take further steps in the application process.

Submission Windows: Applications are accepted during specific windows before each quarterly board meeting. The 2026 submission periods are:

  • December 17, 2025 – January 12, 2026
  • March 18 – April 12, 2026
  • June 24 – July 20, 2026
  • September 25 – October 21, 2026

Getting on Their Radar

While the Colburn Foundation tends to support the same grantees year after year, they do consider new organizations. According to Inside Philanthropy, "networking will be key here" as the foundation has deep pockets but does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Specific Strategies:

  • Email Carol Rinn to introduce your organization and establish initial contact
  • If you're a Los Angeles-based classical music organization, emphasize your geographic alignment and connection to the local community
  • The foundation may want to meet with you or observe your program before encouraging a formal application
  • Building familiarity with the foundation over time appears to be important for new applicants

Decision Timeline

  • Applications are considered on a rolling basis
  • The Board of Directors meets four times per year (quarterly)
  • Applications must be submitted in advance of board meetings during designated windows
  • Specific decision timeframes from submission to award are not publicly disclosed, but the quarterly meeting structure suggests decisions align with this schedule

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made 92 awards totaling $8,870,997. The foundation operates on an invitation-based system with a limited number of new applicants accepted each cycle, so traditional success rate metrics don't fully apply. The foundation is known for providing multi-year support to existing grantees, suggesting high retention rates for organizations already in the portfolio.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation maintains ongoing relationships with grantees through multi-year grants. For organizations not invited to apply or declined in a previous cycle, the foundation will consider new ideas, but prospective applicants should email Carol Rinn to discuss timing and suitability before reapplying.

Application Success Factors

The Colburn Foundation has specific preferences based on its founder's vision and operational approach:

Alignment with Classical Music Definition: Your organization must perform or educate primarily in the classical music tradition, specifically works composed in the 17th to early 20th century. Any crossover into jazz, world music, or contemporary music will likely disqualify your application.

Geographic Connection: "With very few exceptions, the Colburn Foundation's funding relationships are within the extensive Los Angeles community." If you're outside this region, you should have an exceptionally compelling reason why the foundation should make an exception.

Relationship Building: As Inside Philanthropy notes, the foundation "does not accept proposals and tends to support the same grantees year after year. Networking will be key here." The requirement to email Carol Rinn before applying suggests the foundation values personal connection and familiarity.

Program Observation: The foundation may want to observe your program in action before inviting a formal application, indicating they value direct experience with potential grantees over written proposals alone.

General Operating Support: "Most grants are in the form of general operating support," suggesting the foundation prefers to support organizations holistically rather than funding specific projects or initiatives.

Multi-Year Commitment: The foundation is "known for awarding multiyear grants," indicating they seek sustainable partnerships rather than one-time funding relationships.

Notable Past Grantees: Organizations that have received support include Los Angeles Opera Company, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Society, Music Angelica, University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, American Youth Symphony, California Institute of the Arts, Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, and Long Beach Opera. This list suggests the foundation supports both large established institutions and smaller specialized organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application contact is mandatory: Do not submit anything before emailing Carol Rinn at crinn@colburnfoundation.org to discuss your organization's fit and suitability
  • Classical music definition is strict: Only 17th to early 20th century classical music qualifies; no jazz, world music, modern, or contemporary music
  • Los Angeles focus is paramount: Unless you have exceptional circumstances, your organization should be based in or primarily serve the Los Angeles/Southern California region
  • Relationships matter more than proposals: The foundation "does not accept proposals" in the traditional sense and prefers to build familiarity through meetings and program observations
  • Think long-term partnership: With multi-year general operating support as the primary grant type, position your organization as a sustainable partner rather than seeking project funding
  • Be patient with the process: The invitation-based system and quarterly board meetings mean this is not a quick funding source, but successful applicants may receive substantial, sustained support
  • Leverage the 92 annual awards: While invitation-based, the foundation does make nearly 100 awards annually, suggesting they maintain an active portfolio and do accept new grantees

References

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