What kind of projects does the Ross McKee Foundation fund?
The mission of the Ross McKee Foundation is to support piano performance and education in the San Francisco Bay Area. Toward this end, the Foundation supports piano-related expenses — typically artist fees, piano rental, moving and tuning fees — and piano education supported through annual scholarship programs with established partners. The Foundation does not support general operating expenses of a concert or organization.
In addition to these long-standing areas of support, the Foundation has clarified that funded projects should place the piano at the artistic center of the proposal, rather than in an accompanying or background role. Preference is given to new programs, fresh artistic concepts, or clearly evolved versions of existing series. The Foundation also supports the composition and performance of new piano works, particularly when commissioning is integrated with a clear performance plan that contributes to the development of piano literature. Public-facing programs that deepen understanding of piano repertoire — including lecture-recitals, talks, or hybrid educational formats — are also eligible. Innovative formats, including digital, cross-disciplinary, or new audience engagement models, are welcome, provided that the piano remains central to the project.
Are there piano-related projects or expenses that the Foundation does not fund?
The Foundation does not fund personal education; education is supported through scholarships administered by organizations whose scholarships are funded by the Foundation. It is rare for the Foundation to award grants to individuals who do not have nonprofit status through the IRS or fiscal sponsorship. The Foundation does not fund the purchase of instruments. Operating expenses — such as ongoing maintenance and tuning not tied to a specific project — are generally not eligible. Performances or projects that have already taken place at the time of Board review will not be considered. Grants are intended to meaningfully support the development and realization of a project, not simply to fill a last-minute gap.
What are the proposal requirements and how does one submit a proposal?
The Foundation requires all application materials and attachments to be submitted via the provided online application form. Applications submitted through other means, unless expressly approved, will not be accepted. Inclusive of project and organizational descriptions, proposals must include the project budget, organization budget, and IRS forms where applicable. For proposals requiring large files, including recordings or videos, applicants are encouraged to provide links to a file-sharing service rather than large media files. Please submit PDFs or other non-editable files, not Word or Excel documents. Once an application is submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to applicants.
How much should I request in my grant proposal?
Most Ross McKee grants are under $5,000; some larger grants are awarded to organizations with extensive and established programs. The amount of your request should reflect the actual amount needed to cover line-item expenses directly related to piano performance or education. It is most helpful if the requested amount corresponds to a specific line item (for example, artist fee) or a clearly defined combination of piano-related line items (artist fee, piano rental, tuning, commissioning tied to performance).
The Foundation prefers not to serve as the sole funding source for a project and values evidence of diversified support and proactive audience development.
When should I submit my proposal?
The Ross McKee Foundation is reintroducing an annual grant cycle beginning in 2026. For this year, applications are due Friday, April 17, with Board review and funding decisions expected in early May.
Because this cycle is being introduced during many organizations’ active planning period, the Foundation recognizes that some proposed activities may occur within a shorter time frame following the application deadline. Applicants are encouraged to apply if their work aligns with the Foundation’s priorities, even if planning is already underway.
In future years, organizations are encouraged to plan proposals with the Foundation’s annual grant timeline in mind.
When should funded activities take place?
The Foundation generally prefers to support projects at least six months after a grant award, allowing funding to contribute meaningfully to planning and implementation.
For the 2026 transition cycle, projects occurring within a shorter window may still be considered. In most cases, funded activities should take place within twelve months of the grant award, though flexibility may be considered for multi-phase projects or extended program timelines. The Foundation does not typically fund projects or activities that have already taken place prior to the grant award.
What should be in the project budget?
Since the Foundation prefers to fund specific piano-related expenses, these should be carefully detailed in the project budget, including artist fees, piano rental, piano moving, piano tuning, and commissioning fees when tied to performance. If a pianist appears in a collaborative role, the fee attributable to the pianist should be separable from the total ensemble fee. If multiple performances are planned, fees per performance should be clear.
Other expenses — whether or not they are part of the funding request — should also be described , including venue costs, marketing, and box office services. The budget should include projected revenues from ticket sales, grants, and private support. The Foundation prefers to work with organizations that are proactive and innovative with regard to grants, audience building, and financial planning.
What should the project description contain and how long should it be?
The project description should not exceed one page and should begin with a clear statement of the grant request amount and its intended use. For performance grants, the description may include discussion of the program being presented, its relevance to the community and the mission of the presenting organization, education or outreach initiatives related to the event, and the marketing plan. Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate how the piano is central to the artistic vision and, where relevant, how the project contributes to innovation or the development of piano literature. (If you have significant online materials describing or supporting your application, please include links in your proposal.)
Does the Foundation fund composer commissions?
The Foundation has participated in the funding of commissioned works for the piano. Typically, grant applications for such commissions come from performers or presenting organizations and include detailed information about the premiere and performance plan. Commissioning is most strongly supported when integrated with performance and when it contributes meaningfully to the expansion of piano repertoire. Funds are generally not awarded until the commissioned work is complete and performance-ready.
Does the Foundation fund startup organizations?
The Foundation is eager to support new piano-related initiatives in the Bay Area. However, the Board is unlikely to approve funding for speculative projects. Budgets, venues, soloists, concert dates, and marketing plans must be concrete. In the absence of an organizational history, the experience and track record of the principals will be important. The structure of the organization, the specificity of its annual budget, and the presence of other funding sources are significant in the Board’s consideration of a proposal. While the Foundation has, in some cases, provided organizations with their first institutional grant, it is rare for subsequent grants to be made if the organization has not secured a variety of funding sources.
What kind of reporting does the Foundation require of its grantees?
A final report will be required within 30 days after the event occurs or the funding period ends. This report should include a final budget detailing how Ross McKee funds were used. In the case of a performance, information regarding attendance and ticket sales should be included. The Foundation may also request a brief narrative summary describing outcomes and impact.
Does the Foundation offer out-of-cycle or special grants?
While the annual cycle is the primary mechanism for funding, the Foundation may consider innovative, time-sensitive, or exceptional proposals outside the main cycle. Such requests should begin with a consultation with the Executive Director. If appropriate, a proposal may be considered at a quarterly Board meeting. This approach preserves flexibility while maintaining clarity and predictability in the Foundation’s grantmaking process.