named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Hudson River Music Festival
Annual all-ages festival celebrating community and song in the Hudson Valley, inspired by Pete and Toshi Seeger’s folk picnics and featuring musical performances and environmental advocacy.
Silver Manhattan
Support for Jesse Malin’s musical memoir project, documenting his creative survival following a spinal stroke and celebrating New York’s rock and roll legacy.
Stewardship of the Criterion Theatre
Preservation and revitalization of a historic Art Deco theater in Bar Harbor, ME, serving as a creative hub for the Mount Desert Island community.
The Sound of Culture
Music education curriculum for NYC public schools that teaches cultural history through percussive rhythms, tailored to student body heritage and designed for broad student engagement.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
-
Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Delivering the Sound of Culture music education programImplements the Sound of Culture music education curriculum in New York City public schools, offering weekly lessons in music and cultural history during the school year, with a pilot program conducted from November 2025 to March 2026.
-
-
Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding support for artists and music-related projectsProvides financial support to artists and creative initiatives, including funding for music projects and commitments of over $3 million since March 2024. Specific grants include support for Jesse Malin's 'Silver Manhattan' project and the 'Sound of Culture' music education curriculum.
-
-
Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 1 activity
- Operating the Criterion TheatreStewards and operates the historic Criterion Theatre in coastal Maine, providing operational and programming support, including a $1 million commitment for its preservation and continued use as a music venue.
-
-
Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Organizing benefit concerts for external causesHosts benefit concerts to support third-party organizations, such as a concert featuring Steve Earle to raise funds for The Keswell School, an educational program for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
-
-
Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
- Producing the Hudson River Music FestivalProduces and presents the annual Hudson River Music Festival, a community music event inspired by the legacy of Pete and Toshi Seeger, continuing folk picnic traditions in its second year.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$20.61M
Contributions & grants$20.60M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$5K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$567K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead26%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$48K
Grants paid out$357K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$20.06M
Cash$68K
Investments$1.29M
Liabilities$19K
Net assets$20.05M
Liquid reserves28.8 mo
1 years on record · 2024–2024
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELE AUGIS | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 25 | $48K |
board members · 2
- BRIAN APPLEGATE — DIRECTOR
- STEPHEN SULLENS — FOUNDER, PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Americana Music Foundation Partner — Collaborates to preserve Americana music through education and cultural engagement
- Backline Partner — Partners to support mental health and wellness for music industry professionals and their families
- Berklee NYC Partner — Collaborates to nurture talent and build a vibrant community in music education
- Biscuits & Banjos Festival Partner — Supports a festival dedicated to the reclamation and exploration of Black music, art, and culture
- Bob Dylan Center Partner — Partners to provide access to the creative life of Bob Dylan and promote appreciation of his work
- Chicago Children's Theatre Partner — Collaborates to inspire children and families through innovative music programming
- Criterion Theatre Partner — Partner organization receiving funding and operational support for theater preservation and programming.
- Dayglo Presents Partner — Co-presents the Hudson River Music Festival with Harper House Music Foundation.
- Fantastic Cat Partner — Collaborates with Mike Montali of Fantastic Cat to develop the Sound of Culture music education curriculum
- Jesse Malin Partner — Features Jesse Malin's project 'Silver Manhattan' as a highlighted initiative supported by the foundation.
- Little Feat: The Documentary Partner — Supports the documentation of Little Feat’s legacy through film
- Maine Academy Modern Music Partner — Partners with a community-led school offering music education in contemporary genres
- Music Will Partner — Collaborates to expand music education in U.S. public schools using popular music
- Neal Casal Music Foundation Partner — Works to preserve Neal Casal’s legacy and support musician well-being
- New York City Department of Education Government — Partner agency whose public schools are served by the Sound of Culture music curriculum.
- Newport Festivals Foundation Partner — Partners to expand cultural impact of Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals and support music education
- Restring Appalachia Partner — Supports efforts to replace musical instruments lost in natural disasters
- Riverfest FPS (For Pete’s Sake) Partner — Co-presents the Hudson River Music Festival with Harper House Music Foundation.
- Salt Lick Incubator Partner — Collaborates to support early-career musicians in artistic development and career sustainability
- Sweet Relief Musicians Fund Partner — Partners to provide financial assistance to musicians facing health or age-related challenges
- The Keswell School Partner — Beneficiary organization supported through a benefit concert.
- Unmanageable Arts Partner — Supports interdisciplinary, cross-cultural artist projects through management and fundraising
- Woody Guthrie Center Partner — Collaborates to preserve the legacy of Woody Guthrie and American songwriting
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally Responsive Music Educationmethodology: culturally_responsive_music_educationBy integrating heritage-specific rhythms and historical context into music pedagogy, the foundation increases student engagement and cultural awareness because learning rooted in cultural relevance deepens connection and meaning.
- Music as Cultural Stewardship and Legacy Preservationmethodology: music-as-cultural-stewardshipBy preserving and teaching music within its historical and cultural context, the foundation strengthens collective wellbeing and intergenerational connection because music serves as a living archive that fosters identity, joy, and resilience.
- Strategic Grantmaking to Strengthen Music Ecosystemsmethodology: strategic_grantmakingBy making targeted grants and investments, the foundation addresses systemic infrastructure and funding gaps in the music sector, thereby fostering a more resilient and diverse musical landscape because stable support systems enable artists to thrive and innovate.