A close up photo of a classical music performance from Castle of Our Skins showing a group of four musicians performing string instruments onstage.

The Free for All Endowment Fund

Honoring the legacy of conductor Charles Ansbacher

The mission of the Free for All Endowment Fund is to ensure that everyone from the Boston region—children, adults, families—will have regular and permanent access to the rich world of classical, orchestral music and related cultural events.

Since 2016, the Free for All Endowment Fund has awarded over $1,000,000 in grants to more than 20 organizations who strive to respond to the moment by expanding programming and engaging different audiences across Greater Boston.

Eric Goode shows a child a horn instrument at Housing Families
Photo from Free for All Fund grantee Shelter Music Boston program: Eric Goode and child at Housing Families, photo by Carrie Eldridge-Dickson

2025 Grant Cycle

The Free for All Endowment Fund is pleased to announce our 2025 grant cycle! Applicants interested in applying will identify as a Nonprofit/501(c)3 Organization and represent the transformational change, growth, and accountability in Classical music across Greater Boston. Interested applicants will have, and be able to demonstrate, diverse programming as well as a connection to their communities and all they provide for their neighbors living within them.

Key Dates

  • Application Opens: Monday, March 10, 2025
  • Application Closes: Monday, March 31, 2025
  • Tentative Notification: Midsummer 2025


We will be offering Office Hours for those interested in applying for this grant cycle. Virtual appointments are 25 minutes in duration, and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Office Hours will be held on the following dates:

  • Monday, March 10, 2025, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm ET  
  • Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 1:00pm to 3:30pm ET
  • Monday, March 17, 2025, from 1:00pm to 3:30pm ET
  • Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 1:00pm to 3:30pm ET
  • Monday, March 24, 2025, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm ET
  • Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 1:00pm to 3:30pm ET 

Schedule your virtual appointment here.

If you require any accommodations to participate fully or apply, or if you have any program-related questions, please email Laura Reyes, Arts & Creativity Program Officer, and put “Free for All Endowment Fund” in the email subject heading. 

2024 Grant Cycle

In the Spring of 2024, the Free for All Endowment Fund made grants to 13 organizations totaling $283,500. The organizations were chosen from among 37 applicants, 27 of whom had never applied to the Fund previously.

The organizations represent the transformational change, growth, and accountability happening in Classical music across Greater Boston. Their diverse programming, connection to their communities and all they provide for those who live in them.

2024 grantees:

A Far Cry, Inc.
Around Hear
Back Bay Chorale, Ltd.
Boston Chamber Symphony
Castle of Our Skins
The Esplanade Association
Horizon Ensemble
Latin American Music Festival
Nightingale Vocal Ensemble
Opera on Tap
Project STEP, Inc.
Que Shing Chinese Music and Opera
Silk Road Project, Inc. (Silkroad)