The Foundation
The Les Paul Foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support of music education, recording, innovation and medical research related to hearing. It’s also a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the Wizard of Waukesha.
About
Mission Statement
The Les Paul Foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support of music education, recording, innovation, exhibits about Les Paul and medical research related to hearing.
Donate Online
Your online donation will be securely processed through Paypal. You can pay with any major credit card or with your Paypal account. You can also support the Les Paul Foundation by shopping at our Les Paul Online Store.
The Les Paul Foundation
- Awards grants to programs and projects that encourage innovation in music production and/or performance and to innovative STEM and STEAM programs for students and others in challenging situations
- Provides grants for medical research related to curing tinnitus and hearing impairment issues.
- Inspires the public through support of public exhibits presenting Les Paul’s life and achievements
Determined to perpetuate support to the areas on which he focused his life, Les Paul created his foundation.
Proceeds from sales of merchandise in our webstore benefit the work of the Foundation.
Education Resources
Learn more about the Foundation’s Education resources including standard-based study units, videos, activities, posters and more for elementary, seondary and collegiate.
grants
Grant Guidelines
Organizations must be located and operating programs in the United States and classified by the Internal Revenue Service as public charities and tax- exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation does not support religious, political, labor or business organizations. No grants are awarded to individuals.
Funding consideration is given to programs and projects that encourage innovation in music production and/or performance and to innovative STEM or STEAM programs for students and others in challenging situations. Proposals for medical research related to curing tinnitus and other hearing impairment issues are considered. Other types of funding is by invitation only. All organizations must describe how Les Paul’s story will be shared.
Successful organizations will receive checks after the decision date. Please do not contact.
Application and Decision Schedule:
| Grant Cycle | Grant Deadline | Decision Date |
| 1 | January 15 | April 1 |
| 2 | September 15 | December 1 |
- Organizations may only file one grant request per calendar year.
- Please make sure that you have the most recent version of Acrobat Reader.
- Complete application form.
- Review to confirm you’ve addressed all fields, including your Organization Budget.
- Don’t forget to save once you’ve completed it, then attach to an email and send to: info@lespaulfoundation.org
- Print it if you want a hard copy.
- Successful organizations will receive checks after the decision date. Please do not contact.
FAQs about Grants from the Les Paul Foundation
Please carefully review information below to assure your proposal aligns with the Les Paul Foundation’s priorities.
DON'T USE, DON'T TOUCH
What are the priorities for grants from the LES PAUL FOUNDATION?
- Programs and projects that align with the Les Paul Foundation mission: The Les Paul Foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support of music education, recording, innovation and medical research related to hearing.
- Inspire students/audience by sharing Les Paul’s story in an innovative and effective way. The foundation’s name in a program or on a plaque is not sufficient. Relay how you will share Les’ story.
- Demonstrate funding from sources beyond the Les Paul Foundation.
- Begin relationship with the Foundation with realistic a funding request.
- Personnel, timeline and budget should be consistent with project/program.
What types of organizations receive funding?
- Music education organizations and schools including public schools
- Music Recording and Music Industry education programs
- STEM/STEAM programs that emphasize innovation and align with Les Paul’s work
- After school science and music programs that align with Les Paul’s work
- Museum exhibits about Les Paul with collaboration with Foundation
Are there geographic restrictions?
Yes, grants are awarded to 501(c)3 organizations and schools within the United States.
Are funding requests accepted for existing projects?
Yes, if they align with above priorities.
Does the Foundation provide funding for capital campaigns?
Yes, if they align with above priorities.
Does the Foundation provide general operating grants?
The Foundation provides funding for programs and projects that align with above priorities.
Does the Foundation provide multi-year grants?
Grant proposals must be submitted annually.
Does the Foundation sponsor special events?
Funding for special events must align with the Foundation’s priorities and requirements.
Do I need to answer all questions on the form?
Definitely. Missing information will preclude consideration of your request.
Does the Foundation provide funding to individuals?
No, funding is for projects and programs that serve groups of people.
What is the typical amount given for a first time grant?
First time grants typically are $1,500 to $2,000, but there are no fixed amounts.
Will the Foundation award grants to fiscal sponsors on behalf of applicants who are not 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations?
No.
grantEEs
A Place Called Home, CA
Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, NY
Alabama Blues Project, AL
Anita E. Villareal, TX
Bay Area Music Project, CA
Belfair Montessori Magnet School, LA
Birch Creek Music Center, Inc., WI
Blues Foundation, The, TN
Bonnaroo Works Fund — LP Spirit Award, TN
BookGive, CO
Boston Lyric Opera Company, MA
Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, FL
Building for the Arts, NY
Camp Spin Off, CA
Carroll University, WI
Center Stage, NY
College of St. Rose, NY
Collingswood High School, NJ
DaVinci Schools, CA
Discovery World, WI
Drexel University, PA
Fairhope Ed. Enrichment Fdn., AL
First Stage Milwaukee Inc., WI
Free Guitars for Future Stars, IL
Girls Rock SB, CA
Grammy Museum/Foundation, CA
Guitars for Vets, WI
H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education & Awareness for Rockers), CA
Hearing Health Foundation, NY
Jazz House Kids, NJ
Junior Jazz Foundation, SC
Keep Music Alive, PA
Kent State Univ School of Music, OH
Kid Pan Alley, VA
Kids Rock Free, CA
Learning Spring School, NY
Legacy Music Alliance, UT
Les Paul Middle School, WI
Litchfield Performing Arts, Inc., CT
Little Kids Rock, NJ
Live Connections, PA
Lutheran Music Academy of Galveston Island, TX
Magnolia Woods Elementary, LA
Mahwah Museum Society Inc., NJ
Memphis Jazz Workshop, TN
Mind Builders Creative Arts Company, NY
Mississippi Arts Audio Engineering, MS
Mullins Music, FL
Music Institute of Chicago, IL
Music Unites, DC
Musicians on Call, TN
New Orleans Airlift, LA
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, LA
New Voices MS Parents Association, NY
No Limits Theater Group Inc., CA
Northwest Suburban Spec. Ed Org, IL
Notes for Notes (via Bonaroo), TN
Park Foundation of Waukesha, Inc., The, WI
Quest Ctr for Arts & Com. Dev, The, TN
Ramapo College Foundation, NJ
Rockit Live Foundation, NJ
Rowan University Foundation, NJ
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, WI
Shell Lake Arts Center, WI
Six Strings Hereos at Jefferson Barracks, MO
Songbirds Foundation, TN
Sound Art, CA
Stax Music Academy, TN
Strings Attached, MO
T.J. Martel Foundation, NY
TEC Foundation’s LP Award, CA
The Academy Project, CA
The Harmony Project, CA
Trillium Family Services, OR
TRUE Skool, WI
Two Bit Circus Foundation, CA
VH1 Save the Music Foundation, NY
Waukesha Community Art Project (WCAP), WI
Waukesha County Historical Soc. & Museum, WI
Waukesha Guitar Town, Inc., WI
Wisconsin School Music Association, WI
Women’s Audio Mission, CA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA
Young Audiencs of OR, OR
zSharp (ETM), CA
Exhibits
The Les Paul exhibit at The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Les Paul exhibit is a focal point of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Garage Gear area. Les’ innovations in the recording studio and pioneering work with the solid-body electric guitar are highlighted.
Les Paul’s House of Sound at Discovery World
Les Paul’s House of Sound at the Discovery World, is an interactive experience that showcases the innovative and creative spirit of Les Paul. The exhibit features one-of-a-kind artifacts including Les’ “bible” guitar, one of his “klunker” guitars, and recording equipment along with the ever-popular Les Paul’s Big Sound Experience. Discovery World Page
Waukesha County Museum
Waukesha County Museum is one of the best locations in the world to present this tribute to Les Paul, the Wizard of Waukesha. See Les’ personal guitars, tribute jackets, recording equipment, trophies, awards, and much more! Enjoy viewing Les perform throughout his career, including several clips with Mary Ford. Play examples of his guitar inventions, and even touch Les Paul’s handprints! Museum Page
Les Paul Exhibit in Mahwah Museum
The Les Paul exhibit in the Mahwah Museum. The Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit showcases many of Les’ innovations in solid body electric guitar design and multi-track sound recording. Les called Mahwah home for nearly 60 years. Mahwah Museum Page
Grammy Museum, Newark
The GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center offers guests a chance to experience music and the GRAMMYs. Exhibits allow guests to get hands-on and learn, while also exploring what it takes to become a GRAMMY winner. Visit the Grammy Museum – Newark, NJ.
Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix
MIM began with a vision to create a musical instrument museum that would be truly global. Realizing most musical museums featured historic, primarily Western classical instruments, MIM’s founder Bob Ulrich (then CEO of Target Corporation) was inspired to develop a new kind of museum that would focus on the kind of instruments played every day by people worldwide. Visit the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix.