Les Paul Foundation
Syosset, NY · EIN 13-3911396. Reported 200 grants totalling $1,907,402 to 140 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Les Paul Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $3,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $2,000 and $5,440; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $100,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery World | Milwaukee, WI | $325,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Hearing Health Foundation | New York, NY | $250,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Little Kids Rock | Verona, NJ | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Notes for Notes Inc | Nashville, TN | $140,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Soulsville Foundation | Memphis, TN | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Waukesha County Historical Society&museum | Waukesha, WI | $95,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Rowan University Foundation | Glassboro, NJ | $82,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester, MA | $74,700 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Musicians on Call | Nashville, TN | $65,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mahwah Museum Society Inc | Mahwah, NJ | $25,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| First Stage Milwaukee Inc | Milwaukee, WI | $22,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Guitars for Vets | Brookfield, WI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| The College of Saint Rose | Albany, NY | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Country Music Foundation | Nashville, TN | $17,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Young Audiences of Oregon Inc | Portland, OR | $17,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Building for the Arts Ny Inc | New York, NY | $16,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Bangtown Studio on the Go | Flint, MI | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Dynamo Studios | Chattanooga, TN | $12,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Rock & Soul Forever Foundation | New York, NY | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Litchfield Performing Arts Inc | Litchfield, CT | $12,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Mississippi Arts Entertainment Experien | Meridian, MS | $10,880 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Public Broadcasting of Northwest Pa Inc | Erie, PA | $10,030 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Build Incorporated | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Center for Food Action | Englewood, NJ | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Collingswood Public Schools | Collingswood, NJ | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Food Pantry of Waukesha County | Waukesha, WI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation | New Orleans, LA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The Sheldon Arts Foundation | St Louis, MO | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| The Lincoln Academy Inc | Eastchester, NY | $9,750 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hear Your Song Inc | New York, NY | $9,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Exploring the Arts Inc | Astoria, NY | $8,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| National Blues Museum | St Louis, MO | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Keep Music Alive | Brookhaven, PA | $7,700 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ramapo College Foundation | Mahwah, NJ | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Youth & Family Services Inc | Rapid City, SD | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Louisville Academy of Music Inc | Louisville, KY | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| DC Jazz Festival | Washington, DC | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Shell Lake Arts Center | Shell Lake, WI | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Music on the Inside | New York, NY | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| A Place Called Home | Los Angeles, CA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| After School All Stars | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Amelia Park Children's Museum | Westfield, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Broadway for Arts Education | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Christina Cultural Arts Center Inc | Wilmington, DE | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Foundation for Portland Public Schools | Portland, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hear | San Francisco, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hearing Education & Awareness for Rockers | San Francisco, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Horizons Atlanta Inc | Atlanta, GA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Institute of Music for Children | Elizabeth, NJ | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Liveconnectionsorg | Philadelphia, PA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Maya Angelou Public Charter School | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mobile Symphony Inc | Mobile, AL | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Northwest Colorado Health | Steamboat Springs, CO | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Riverwest Artists Association | Milwaukee, WI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sasha Bruce Youthwork Inc | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Songbirds Foundation Inc | Chattanooga, TN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| York County Library System | York, PA | $4,800 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Benchmark School | Phoenix, AZ | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Wisconsin Independent Learning College | Waukesha, WI | $4,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Lincoln Arts Council | Lincoln, NE | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The University of Bridgeport Inc | Bridgeport, CT | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Bright Beginnings School | Chandler, AZ | $3,600 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Stephens Espiscopal Church | Ferguson, MO | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Eleanor Roosevelt High School | New York, NY | $3,300 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Education Through Music | New York, NY | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Home Team - Miami Inc | Miami, FL | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Musical Arts Institute | Chicago, IL | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Free Guitars for Future Stars | Wonder Lake, IL | $2,700 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| A Child's Song Inc | Thornton, CO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Accel | Phoenix, AZ | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Vista | Vista, CA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant Cou | Fort Worth, TX | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Center of Creative Arts | St Louis, MO | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Conservatory Lab Charter School (conserva | Dorchester, MA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Higher Octave Healing Inc | Tempe, AZ | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Midori Foudnation | New York, NY | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Musicbreeds | Hempstead, NY | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| One City Vandercook College of Music | Chicago, IL | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Orion Communitites Inc | Phoenixville, PA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Philharmonicorchestra of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| School of the Arts Foundation Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Society of the Third Street Music School | New York, NY | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Clubhouse Network | Roxbury, MA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Hive Miami Inc | Miami, FL | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Neon Museum | Las Vegas, NV | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ucan | Chicago, IL | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Vertus Charter School | Rochester, NY | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Young Musicians Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Youth Orchestra Assn of Greater Columbus | Columbus, GA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Arizona State University Foudnation | Tempe, AZ | $2,242 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Algiers Charter School Association | New Orleans, LA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Artistyear | Philadelphia, PA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Bay Area Music Project | Alameda, CA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Boys & Girls Club of St Lucie County | Fort Pierce, FL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Bronx House | Bronx, NY | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Broward Education Foundationsilver Lakes | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cab Calloway School Fund | Wilmington, DE | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Clarke University | Dubuque, IA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Clemson University Foundation | Clemson, SC | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Delaware Academy of Vocal Arts | Wilmington, DE | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Graham Windham | Brooklyn, NY | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hands for Hope | North Hollywood, CA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lamar Coutny School of Technology | Vernon, AL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Louisville Public Media | Louisville, KY | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Nantucket Community Music Center | Nantucket, MA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy | New Orleans, LA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Noble Minds Institute | New Orleans, LA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pepin Academies Pasco | New Port Richey, FL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Rock to the Future | Philadelphia, PA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| San Bernadino City of Unified School Distric | San Bernadino, CA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| San Diego State University Foundation | San Diego, CA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St George's Independent School Foundation | Collierville, TN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Students Motivated By the Arts | Youngstown, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Summit Academy | Herman, PA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Tiffin University | Tiffin, OH | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Urban Gateways | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Vibe of Portland | Portland, OR | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| West Virginia University Foudnation Inc | Morgantown, WV | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| White Hall Arts Academy Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| World Changers School of the Arts Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Discovery Center of Springfield Inc | Springfield, MO | $1,800 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Eco-Collective Farm School Inc | Melbourne, FL | $1,700 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Birch Creek Music Perfcenter Inc | Egg Harbor, WI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Birch Creek Music Performance Center Inc | Egg Harbor, WI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Futurenomic Resources | Palm Desert, CA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Intempo Organization Inc | Stamford, CT | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Maine Academy of Modern Music | Portland, ME | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Suzuki Music School of Westport Inc | Westport, CT | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Innovation School | Bismarck, ND | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Walla Walla Symphony Society Inc | Walla Walla, WA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Yoknapatawpha Arts Council | Oxford, MS | $1,200 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Artsquest | Bethlehem, PA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Austin Achieve Public Schools | Austin, TX | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Building Youth Through Music | Tacoma, WA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Desert Sounds Performing Arts Inc | Mesa, AZ | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center | New York, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Famfrequency Productions Inc | Philadelphia, PA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Rockit Live Foundation Inc | Middletown, NJ | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Salt Lake Academy of Music | Salt Lake City, UT | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
40 of 140 (29%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 42%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Discovery World
STEM PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS - Hearing Health Foundation
FUNDING FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH FOR TINNITUS - Little Kids Rock
MUSIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS - Notes for Notes Inc
FUND RECORDING STUDIOS IN BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS - Musicians on Call
VIRTUAL BEDSIDE PERFORMANCE PROGRAM - Center for Food Action
SUPPORTING FUNDS FOR PROGRAM
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 139 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 | $398,500 | $9,250 |
| 2022 | 72 | $565,540 | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 53 | $525,320 | $3,500 |
| 2024 | 63 | $418,042 | $2,500 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 26% of this one's giving went to organizations in Wisconsin. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $3,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Wisconsin.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Les Paul Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 485 Underhill Blvd 108, Syosset, NY, 11791. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 13-3911396 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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