The Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants

The Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants is a grant managed by the DeKalb County Community Foundation that supports music education by awarding grants to nonprofit and public sector organizations throughout the greater Chicagoland area, with priority given to projects in DeKalb County, Illinois.

Grants are awarded twice per year through a competitive application process, with all funding decisions made by the Fund's Board of Advisors. This support is made possible through a Field of Interest Fund established by the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation.

Eligible applicants are nonprofit community organizations in the Midwest United States focused on music and music education. Grant amounts are not specified publicly; applicants should review current guidelines when the application period opens.

Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants - DeKalb County Community Foundation Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants Farny R.

Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grant (Closed for Applications) - 2026 Grant Guidelines - Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants The Farny R.

Wurlitzer Foundation Fund, managed by the DeKalb County Community Foundation, supports music education by awarding grants to nonprofit and public sector organizations throughout the greater Chicagoland area, with priority given to projects in DeKalb County, IL. Grants are awarded twice per year through a competitive application process. All funding decisions are made by the Fund's Board of Advisors.

This support is made possible through a Field of Interest Fund established by the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation. Applying for a Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grant Before applying, all applicants are encouraged to review the Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grant guidelines in full.

Deadlines: Applications are due by 11:59 p. m. on March 1 and September 1 each year.

Access: The online application portal opens two months prior to each deadline. For questions or more information, please contact Arts & Culture Consultant George Buck at george@dekalbccf. org .

Nondiscrimination Policy - Grantmaking No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex and gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, pregnancy, veteran status, military obligations, marital or parental status, political affiliation, or any other improper criterion be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available by the Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Community Foundation.

Fall 2025 - $130,900 awarded in grant support Spring 2025 - $110,500 awarded in grant support Fall 2024 - $131,700 awarded in grant support Spring 2024 - $116,100 awarded in grant support Additional grant distributions - Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation History At one time, the slogan for The Wurlitzer Company was “The name that means Music to millions.

” Founded in the United States in 1856, Wurlitzer became known for producing premier pianos and organs—both pipe and electric. At its height, Wurlitzer was the largest musical instrument company in the country. Perhaps you even have a Wurlitzer piano in your own home.

From the 1930s through the 1980s, the company operated retail music stores in most major cities, with manufacturing locations in DeKalb, IL; North Tonawanda, NY; Cincinnati, OH; and West Germany. Although Wurlitzer ceased operations in the mid-1980s, its name lives on today under the ownership of the Gibson Guitar Company. The Farny R.

Wurlitzer Foundation was established in the 1940s by Farny and Grace Wurlitzer. Farny, who passed away in the early 1970s, was the last family member actively involved in the company. The Foundation was created to provide financial support for music education and performance—an enduring legacy of the Wurlitzer family’s commitment to music.

While many of its early grants were awarded in the Midwest, support also extended to other parts of the U.S. Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants Committee: Charles McCormick, George Buck (Chair), Deborah Booth, Ken Olson In 2011, the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Board of Directors began exploring options to ensure the Foundation’s long-term sustainability.

These discussions led to a partnership with the DeKalb County Community Foundation—an ideal solution that would preserve the Foundation’s legacy while easing administrative responsibilities. By the end of 2012, the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation officially transitioned into a Donor Advised Fund within the Community Foundation.

In 2021, the Fund was converted into a Field of Interest Fund , allowing for more streamlined operations and continued support for music education and performance initiatives. This transition reflects a growing trend, as private foundations often benefit from the administrative support and flexibility of operating under a community foundation while maintaining their philanthropic impact. The creation of the Farny R.

Wurlitzer Foundation Fund represented a milestone for the Community Foundation, increasing its total assets by 15% and boosting its annual grant and fund distributions by approximately 25%. Since the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s founding in 1993 by Charlie and Mary Roberts, this has been the single largest gift in its history.

A unique aspect of the partnership is the Wurlitzer Foundation’s request to keep the Fund’s assets invested locally with First Midwest Bank (now Old National Bank ) in Sycamore. The Community Foundation honored this request, ensuring a locally managed investment pool that continues to grow through ongoing contributions.

The Community Foundation is honored to help keep the Wurlitzer name alive in DeKalb County by partnering with the Wurlitzer Grants Committee. Together, we continue to “mean music to millions” by supporting projects that reflect the Foundation’s original mission of advancing music education and performance.

If you’re passionate about supporting the creative arts in your community—or if you're considering establishing a Fund that reflects your own charitable goals—we’d love to talk. Please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at dan@dekalbccf. org or 815-748-5383 .

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