Allan and Margot Blank Foundation

Mission

To support chamber groups (not orchestras), choral groups, and soloists that perform contemporary music (not jazz, folk music or electronic music), and artistic organizations that exhibit regional (preferably within the greater Richmond, Virginia area) artists.

Annual application deadlines

April 15

Program areas

Arts, culture, and humanities

States served

Virginia

Geographic limitations

The Foundation has a practice of primarily supporting organizations located in Virginia, with a preference for the Greater Richmond area.

Trustees

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Requirements

• To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Grantmaking priorities

Preference will be given to requests from the following:

• chamber groups (not orchestras), choral groups, and soloists that perform contemporary music (not jazz, folk music or electronic music)
• artistic organizations that exhibit regional (preferably within the greater Richmond area) artists

With respect to grants made to chamber groups (not orchestras, choral groups, and soloists that perform contemporary music (not jazz, folk music or electronic music), such grants will be used for:

• the rental or purchase of music;
• the support of recording (but not the total cost of recording);
• the support of the commissioning of new works (but not the total cost of commissioning)
• administrative expenses; and
• performance fees.

With respect to grants made to artistic organizations that exhibit regional (preferably within the greater Richmond area) artists, such grants will be used for:

• general expenses to mount shows;
• administrative expenses; and
• rental assistance.

Average giving

Average grant size: $1,000 to $20,000
Average number of grants per year: N/A
Average total giving per year: $150,000 - $200,000

Annual application period and deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round.  Applications must be submitted by April 15 in order to be considered for funding in the same calendar year.

Communications

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming their submission.  Grant decisions are generally communicated by June for applications received by the April 15th deadline.

Required agreement and reports

Periodic progress reports and final reports may be required for funded projects.

Foundation Information

The Allan and Margot Blank Foundation was created by Allan Blank, a resident of Richmond, Virginia, to support musical and artistic organizations. The Foundation primarily supports chamber groups, choral groups, and soloists that perform contemporary music, and artistic organizations that exhibit regional artists.

Allan Blank was born on December 27, 1925.  He was a prolific American composer with over 60 published works, including opera, orchestra and chamber music.  He also wrote pieces for voice, clarinet, flute, string bass, and other instruments. He taught music composition at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1978-1996.

Mr. Blank died on November 13, 2013.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 50 years, Margot Blank, an accomplished painter, photographer and printmaker.  Mrs. Blank died on January 31, 2007.