The Elma Music Foundation (US)
Preselected recipients only
The Elma Music Foundation (US) is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.9 million in 24 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $223,212. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.9 million
- Number of grants24
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$223,212
- Assets$2.6 million
- New grantees23%
Giving in 2025 was down from $3.1 million the year before.
23% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.4 million | 25 | $3.8 million |
| 2024 | $3.1 million | 24 | $2.3 million |
| 2025 | $1.9 million | 24 | $2.6 million |
How to apply
The Elma Music Foundation (US) says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Elma Music Foundation (US) funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 9 | $631,552 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $273,212 |
| Louisiana | 2 | $250,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $200,000 |
| California | 2 | $166,666 |
| Georgia | 3 | $150,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $100,000 |
| Tennessee | 2 | $75,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $50,000 |
| Utah | 1 | $50,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Berklee College of Music Inc | Myda scholarship", which will provide need-based scholarships for students from elma's music foundation (u.s.) grantees to attend berklee college of music's four year undergraduate program. | $223,212 |
| Ellis Marsalis Center for Music Inc | General support for an after-school music program providing underserved children and youth from the ninth ward of new orleans the opportunity to study music through arts-focused youth development programs. | $200,000 |
| The Miami Foundation Inc | Project support for arts access miami, a collaborative effort of five organizations to provide students in miami from elementary through high school with supplemental music and social-emotional support | $200,000 |
| Manhattan School of Music | Project support to establish the hugh masekela heritage scholarship for south african students to attend the manhattan school of music | $176,552 |
| Big Thought | Project support for intensive performing arts program, creative solutions, to help disengaged youth in the juvenile system transition out of the juvenile justice system | $100,000 |
| Jazz Foundation of America Inc | General support for an organization that extends the careers of aging artists and brings music to schools, nursing homes, and hospitals nationwide. | $100,000 |
| The Door - A Center of Alternatives | Project support for the music and performing arts programming of a community-based organization that serves youth ages 12-21 in the areas of health, education, the arts, personal development, and career services. | $100,000 |
| A Place Called Home | Project support for the music department of a comprehensive afterschool youth development center in south central los angeles. | $91,666 |
| Mama Foundation for the Arts Inc | General support for an organization uplifting gospel and jazz musical traditions to heal and inspire, with a focus on providing free training and performance opportunities for low-income teenagers in harlem. | $75,000 |
| Ryse Inc | Project support for the media, arts, and culture (mac) program for a community- based youth development organization that provides safe space for creative expression, and youth leadership in richmond, ca. | $75,000 |
| Atlanta Music Project | General support for an after-school music program that provides free music training and performance opportunities to youth in atlanta's under-resourced communities. | $50,000 |
| Berklee College of Music Inc | Project support, which will provide need-based scholarships for students from africa to attend berklee college of music's four-year undergraduate program. | $50,000 |
| Mind Builders Creative Arts Center Inc | General support for an after-school center that includes music programming in creative youth development and early childhood classes in the bronx. | $50,000 |
| Moving in the Spirit Inc | General support for an after-school creative youth development program utilizing the disciplines of dance and music to enhance social-emotional development in children and teens. | $50,000 |
| Soulsville Foundation Inc | Project support for stax music academy, which provides extended day and after-school music instruction and comprehensive youth development programming to youth in memphis. | $50,000 |
| Spy Hop Productions Inc | General support for an organization that offers music/arts programming as a component of complementary youth development services. | $50,000 |
| STEM From Dance | General support for programs designed to introduce young girls of color to science, technology, engineering, and math through intentionally designed music and dance curriculum. | $50,000 |
| The Music Education Group Inc | General support for an after-school program that provides youth in grades 6 to 12 with career development and life skills through music, film, and digital media. | $50,000 |
| The Road Recovery Foundation | General support for an organization providing music-based youth development support for young people in new york who are in various forms of state care, either for substance abuse recovery, justice related confinement, or foster care. | $50,000 |
| Youth Empowerment Project | Project support for after-school music and arts programming serving 175 youth ages 7-18 in new orleans, louisiana. | $50,000 |
| Youth on Record | General support for a community based, music focused youth development organization that provides and improves economic opportunities for young people in the creative arts. | $50,000 |
| Jazz at Lincoln Center | One-time general support contribution for matching gift. | $25,000 |
| Memphis Equity Through Arts (Meta) Incorporated | Project support for sub-grants and capacity building to three-to-four community based, music oriented youth development organizations. | $25,000 |
| Mama Foundation for the Arts Inc | One-time general support donation to support the mama foundation for the arts. | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Thomas McPartland
- Robyn Calder
- Meron Makonnen
- Simbarashe Jairosi
- Clive Calder
- Paul Katz
- Tarik Ward
Questions people ask
Does The Elma Music Foundation (US) accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Elma Music Foundation (US) give?
$1.9 million in tax year 2025, across 24 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs The Elma Music Foundation (US)?
Its 2025 filing lists Thomas McPartland (Ceo/Director), Robyn Calder (President/Director), Meron Makonnen (Secretary/Director) and Simbarashe Jairosi (Treasurer) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does The Elma Music Foundation (US) fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and youth programs.