About Us

The Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation is a nonprofit organization associated with Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Founded in 1963, this organization devotes its time to fundraising, hosting competitions, providing scholarships and grant opportunities to its members, and supporting various music organizations. 

The Foundation hosts a triennial International Competition at the Mu Phi Epsilon Conventions. The winner of this competition receives a two-year contract to visit collegiate and alumni chapters throughout the United States. While touring they perform recitals of concertos with local symphonies, teach master classes and lessons, and provide outreach events within those communities. The winner acts as an ambassador of Mu Phi Epsilon to the general public as a way to keep music and Mu Phi Epsilon relevant in today’s society. 

Providing funding and support to the members of Mu Phi Epsilon is increasingly important to the Foundation. With over $100,000 in scholarships and grants available to the members of Mu Phi Epsilon, the Foundation provides a variety of funding opportunities such as: tuition assistance, projects for individuals and chapters, and grants for special expenses for music educators. The funding for these scholarships and grants are made possible through kind and generous donations from the members of Mu Phi Epsilon.

The Foundation is dedicated to supporting music organizations throughout the United States. Our philanthropic work includes funding for community schools in low-income areas, small music series and festivals, and even providing general scholarships for its members at larger summer festivals. 

Finally, the Foundation supports the Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity through its fundraising and collaborative efforts on projects. The Foundation strives to support the amazing work being done by the members of Mu Phi Epsilon and will continue to do so for years to come. 

History of Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation

In 1963, the sixtieth anniversary year of Mu Phi Epsilon, the Mu Phi Epsilon Memorial Foundation was registered in the state of Nebraska as a nonprofit corporation, authorized and established by the Fraternity for charitable and educational purposes. In 1993, the word "Memorial" was deleted, and the said Foundation was then known as the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation. The Foundation is operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, for the promotion and advancement of music throughout the world, and for the benefit of philanthropic projects consistent with the philosophy of the Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

The Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that receives contributions and administers the scholarships and philanthropic activities of Mu Phi Epsilon. The Foundation is administered by a volunteer board of directors, who determine the type and level of giving and perform administrative functions. More than fifty-five scholarships and grants are offered by the Foundation each year for purposes including doctoral grants, international study, and research, composition, theory, conducting, sacred music, global musics, chamber music, music business, music education, music technology, music therapy, and applied study for singers and instrumentalists.

Every three years, coinciding with the Fraternity's convention, the Foundation sponsors the Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition. Created in 1964 as the Sterling Staff Competition, the Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition offers the winner the opportunity to be presented in concerts and recitals by chapters of Mu Phi Epsilon for a period of two years.

A copy of the MPE Foundation's financial report is available upon request.