Bio

The Presser Foundation is being recognized for its longstanding support of music and music education in the United States. For nearly a century, The Presser Foundation's philanthropy for music and music educators has been a lifeline to a vulnerable field. Founded in 1916 by Theodore Presser, who founded the publishing firm that bears his name, as well as the music magazine, Etude, the Presser Foundation provides support to students and to teachers. In 1916, he created The Presser Foundation, which was officially incorporated in 1939 following Mr. Presser's death in 1925. The Presser Foundation provides approximately $2 million in awards annually to help needy music students, educators, and music organizations. It is one of the few foundations in the United States dedicated solely to the support of music and music education. The Foundation provides scholarships to promising undergraduate and graduate students of music through grants to accredited institutions in the United States. It provides support for the purchase of musical equipment and instruments. It provides support for the construction and renovation of suitable buildings for musical instruction and performance. Also, it aids the promotion of formal musical programs and projects. For years it operated a home for retired music teachers, which has now closed. But it continues to provide financial relief to worthy music teachers in distress, such as modest monthly stipends as pension supplements or to help with the cost of medical insurance or care.