THE MEREDITH AND ROSEMARY WILLSON CHARIT
Annual Giving
$4.2M-2% YoY
Grants
41
Median Grant
$100K
Organizations Funded
39
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The Foundation mission is to empower organizations using music to catalyze enduring change and to amplify their founders musical legacy. They explore grants and programs that fund music initiatives in health, education, and community, joining in strengthening the music sector for lasting impact.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
Over the last decade, awarded more than $25 million to 85 organizations. In November 2024, announced $2.7 million in funding for 15 nonprofit organizations. Supports organizations working to permanently change the way music is embedded in schools, health care system, and communities.
How to Apply
Letter of Interest (leadership letter) required by Friday, January 24, 2025. Two grant programs: Meredith Willson Awards (two-year grants $50,000-$500,000 for Southern California, $100,000-$1 million nationally) and Strengthening the Sector grants (up to $650,000).
Does Not Fund
Geographic focus: Meredith Willson Awards for nonprofits in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties for Southern California program. National program available for Los Angeles County, California, or nationally.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$4.2M
Grants
41
Median
$100K
States
11
$4.3M
Grants
40
Median
$83K
States
14
$2.9M
Grants
26
Median
$75K
States
10
Grant Size Distribution
$100K
Typical Grant (Median)
$1K
Smallest
$38K
25th Pctile
$150K
75th Pctile
$300K
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $38K and $150K.
Largest Recent Grants
$300K
2024
JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
DC · GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
$300K
2024
ASPEN INSTITUTE
DC · NEUROARTS BLUEPRINT INITIATIVE
$250K
2024
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
CA · SCHOOL OF NURSING/SOUND HEALTH
$250K
2024
SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION
NY · GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
$200K
2024
AMERICAN MUSIC THERAPY ASSOCIATION
MD · WEBSITE & TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.