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LES PAUL FOUNDATION

SYOSSET, NY · EIN 133911396 · Form 990PF · FY2024 · NTEE T70J · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Medium ($1M-$10M)
revenue
$2.6M
expenses
$2.3M
net assets
$41.7M
employees
profile · synthesized from sources

The Les Paul Foundation is a grantmaking organization that supports music education, music programs, and medical research related to hearing health. It funds nonprofit organizations across the United States, with a focus on initiatives that promote innovation in music and sound technology, including recording studios for youth and STEM-related music exhibits. The foundation is based in New York and was established to honor the legacy of musician and inventor Les Paul.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Hearing Health Research
Supports medical research into hearing health through grants to the Hearing Health Foundation
Les Paul Exhibit Support
Provides funding for exhibits honoring Les Paul, such as at the Mahwah Museum Society
Music Education Grants
Supports music education initiatives at institutions such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Rowan University
Music Therapy and Performance Programs
Funds virtual bedside performances and music therapy via Musician On Call and similar organizations
Recording Studios in Boys and Girls Clubs
Funds the development of recording studios in Boys and Girls Clubs through grants to Notes for Notes Inc.
STEM Music Programs and Exhibits
Funds STEM-related music exhibits and programs, including at Discovery World
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Performing Arts Production Support 4 activities
    • Funding music programs at Country Music Foundation
      Provides funding for music programs at the Country Music Foundation, supporting the preservation and advancement of country music education and heritage.
    • Funding music programs at First Stage Milwaukee Inc
      Finances music programs at First Stage Milwaukee Inc, integrating music into youth theater and educational programming.
    • Funding music programs at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
      Provides grant support for music programs at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, advancing jazz education and cultural preservation.
    • Funding music programs at Rock & Soul Forever Foundation
      Supports music education and performance initiatives at the Rock & Soul Forever Foundation through targeted grant awards.
  • Arts Education Scholarships 2 activities
    • Funding music education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
      Provides grants to support music education initiatives at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, integrating music with technology and engineering.
    • Funding music programs at Soulsville Foundation
      Provides financial support for music education and performance programs at the Soulsville Foundation, which promotes youth development through music.
  • Artist Support Grants 2 activities
    • Funding recording studios in Boys and Girls Clubs via Notes for Notes Inc
      Funds the development of recording studios within Boys and Girls Clubs through support for Notes for Notes Inc, promoting youth music creation and education.
    • Funding virtual bedside performances through Musicians On Call
      Supports a virtual bedside performance program that brings live music to patients via grants to Musicians On Call.
  • Historic Preservation Support Grants 1 activity
    • Funding Les Paul exhibit at Mahwah Museum Society Inc
      Awards grants to support a Les Paul-themed exhibit at the Mahwah Museum Society Inc, preserving and promoting the legacy of Les Paul.
  • Art Museum Funding and Support 1 activity
    • Funding STEM and music exhibits at Discovery World
      Funds STEM programs and exhibits at Discovery World, supporting science and music-related educational initiatives.
  • Genetic and Neurological Disease Research Funding 1 activity
    • Funding medical research through Hearing Health Foundation
      Funds medical research via grants to the Hearing Health Foundation, focusing on hearing-related science and innovation.
  • University-Specific Endowment and Program Funding 1 activity
    • Funding music programs at Rowan University Foundation
      Finances music programs at Rowan University Foundation, supporting higher education in music and related fields.
financials · form 990PF · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.57M
Contributions & grants
Program service revenue
Investment income$984K38%
Other revenue$1.58M
expenses
Total expenses$2.32M
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$455K
Grants paid out$418K
balance sheet
Total assets$42.29M
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$41.71M
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +94.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHAEL K BRAUNSTEIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $432K
JEFF SALMON TRUSTEE 5 $16K
ARLENE PALMER TRUSTEE 5 $7K
relationships · 12

Who they work with

  • COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION Partner — Recipient of grant funding for music programs
  • DISCOVERY WORLD Partner — Recipient of grant funding for STEM programs and exhibits
  • FIRST STAGE MILWAUKEE INC Partner — Recipient of grant funding for music programs
  • HEARING HEALTH FOUNDATION Partner — Recipient of grant funding for medical research
  • MAHWAH MUSEUM SOCIETY INC Partner — Recipient of grant funding for a Les Paul exhibit
  • MUSICIANS ON CALL Partner — Recipient of grant funding for virtual bedside performance program
  • NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FOUNDATION Partner — Recipient of grant funding for music programs
  • NOTES FOR NOTES INC Partner — Recipient of grant funding to establish recording studios in Boys and Girls Clubs
  • ROCK & SOUL FOREVER FOUNDATION Partner — Recipient of grant funding for music programs
  • ROWAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION Partner — Recipient of grant funding for music programs
  • SOULSVILLE FOUNDATION Partner — Recipient of grant funding for music programs
  • WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Partner — Recipient of grant funding for music education