The Leupold Foundation

What is The Leupold Foundation?

The Leupold Foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit, public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Government Internal Revenue Code.

When was it begun?

The concept was developed by Wayne Leupold over a five-year period (2003–2007), and the foundation was established in January of 2008.

What is its mission?

The mission of The Leupold Foundation is the preservation, reproduction, and dissemination of the culture of the pipe organ, and, to a lesser extent, the culture of other musical instruments, from all centuries and national schools.

Why was The Leupold Foundation created?

It was founded by Wayne Leupold out of a desire to have an organization to fulfill the above-stated mission. While there are aspects of this mission that are similar to the work of a few other organizations, none fulfill all of the above-stated missions. 

How does The Leupold Foundation accomplish its mission?

Its mission is accomplished through a number of primary and secondary purposes.

What are the foundation’s primary purposes?

The primary purposes are:

1. to publish scholarly and high-quality editions of organ music from all historical periods for general use;

2. to publish instructional materials intended for persons interested in learning to play the organ;

3. to publish materials to educate both organists and the general public concerning the design, construction, and history of the organ, its literature, and the performance practices of its literature; and

4. to publish materials promoting public appreciation for and understanding of the musical literature composed specifically for the organ.

How is the foundation to accomplish these primary purposes?

The foundation shall accomplish these primary purposes through the creation, funding, and operation of three divisions.

1. The publication of materials is to be accomplished by the foundation’s Publishing Division, which shall conduct its activities under the name “Leupold Editions.” Within the Publishing Division, funding shall be allocated to such publications prioritized as follows: (1) scholarly and high-quality editions of new and old organ music; (2) organ teaching materials; (3) books dealing with the design, construction, and history of the organ, organ literature, contemporary and historical organ performance practice, and related subjects; (4) new hymn tunes and texts; and (5) other types of music for any other musical instrument as may be determined by the Board of Directors (e.g., choral, harpsichord, clavichord, piano, handbells, etc.). 

2. Preservation of the culture of the pipe organ is to be accomplished by the foundation’s Archival Division, which shall conduct its activities under the name The Leupold Archives. The Archival Division is to be a music archive and research library, a repository of organ music and other related materials, which will be open to the public and private researchers by appointment, and the editors of  Leupold Editions. The archives will also preserve the history of The Leupold Foundation, all its divisions, and publications. It is currently operative and has already received several significant gifts of organ music and books on musical topics.

3. Dissemination of the pipe organ culture will also be partially accomplished by the creation of a Music Service Distribution Division, under the name “Leupold Music.” This music service may distribute new and second-hand music; books; and recordings; particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, related to the organ.

What are the foundation’s secondary purposes?

The foundation’s secondary purposes include the allocation of such additional funds, to engage in any additional educational or charitable activities, particularly for youth, that will further the promotion, use, and preservation of the organ, its performances, repertoire, and history, including the following activities, prioritized as follows:

1. underwrite programs, conferences, workshops, festivals, and summer camps related to education about the organ, particularly such events that are related to publications and research, or that employ, as part of the event, publications that have been funded by the foundation;

2. award grants, scholarships, and fellowships for research (anywhere in the world, including in The Leupold Archives) on historical and contemporary organ music, relevant historical organ performance practices, and organ construction and design;

3. commission new compositions for organ for educational (and possibly performance) purposes, only when requested by the foundation’s Publishing Division;

4. fund recordings of organ music, especially works published or funded by the foundation; and

5. fund performances of organ music.

The foundation shall not focus on its “secondary purposes” as described above, until such time as the assets of the foundation are valued at least at $500,000, or 

What are The Leupold Foundation’s current activities?

1. The foundation has initiated The Leupold Foundation Scholarship in The American Guild of Organists Fund for the Pipe Organ Encounters (POE), an educational outreach program of The American Guild of Organists (AGO), the professional organization for organists in the United States. The Pipe Organ Encounters are regional summer organ institutes for youth thirteen to eighteen years of age. It provides private and group instruction and the opportunity for young musicians to interact with others similarly interested in the organ. The AGO encourages the creation of endowed scholarships to underwrite the costs of needy young people attending the POEs.

2. Ongoing development and enlargement of The Leupold Archives.

How is The Leupold Foundation governed?

It is governed by a rotating board of directors, currently nine; each director serves for three years. Three directors rotate off each year and are replaced by three new directors, who will each serve for three years. At all times, a majority of the board members must have had significant training at and education about the organ and be professionally involved with the organ.

What do the various divisions of the foundation need to do to accomplish their purposes and fulfill the mission of the foundation?

Because The Leupold Foundation is a public charity, it must receive support from the general public, not from just one large benefactor or founder. Assistance from the public can be obtained by donations of:

1. Money. Currently, some of the money given will become part of the principal of The Leupold Foundation’s endowment for the long-term financial security of the foundation. Wayne Leupold will strive to match every dollar given. All such gifts by donors are tax-deductible.

2. Time and talent through various fund-raising events, such as concerts, auctions, and varied social events and gatherings.

3. Organ music and books, dealing with various aspects of the organ and the culture of the pipe organ, may be donated to The Leupold Archives. All such donations are tax-deductible.