Dudamel Foundation Receives $1 Million Grant from the Herb Alpert Foundation
Gustavo Dudamel and Herb Alpert, Los Angeles, CA, 2026. Photo by Joe Pugliese.
The Dudamel Foundation has received a $1 million unrestricted grant from the Herb Alpert Foundation as part of The Herb Alpert Honor, a newly established annual award recognizing the transformative power of music to inspire, uplift, and unite communities. Gustavo Dudamel has been named the inaugural recipient of this distinction.
The Herb Alpert Honor celebrates individuals whose artistic excellence and humanitarian leadership have made a profound impact on youth, culture, and society through music. The Dudamel Foundation was selected in recognition of its global work empowering young people through access to music, arts education, and cultural exchange.
“From the life-changing moment I first picked up a trumpet as a boy in music appreciation class, I’ve understood the profound, transformative power of music,” said Herb Alpert. “Over the years, it has been a privilege to witness Gustavo Dudamel’s groundbreaking work in Los Angeles, where he has brought the love of music to countless young people—both here and around the world.”
Reflecting on the recognition, Gustavo shared: “Herb Alpert is a legendary artist and the absolute embodiment of generosity. The Herb Alpert Foundation’s monumental work shaping the future of the arts by expanding access to music education has already created lasting impact for generations to come. I am deeply humbled by this extraordinary gift, and we pledge to dedicate these funds to advancing the mission of the Dudamel Foundation. We believe that access to beauty is a fundamental human right, and this generous contribution will enable us to continue connecting young people through art and empowering them to build a better world, together.”
“This Honor recognizes the profound power of music to shape lives, foster connection, and drive positive social change,” said Rona Sebastian, President of the Herb Alpert Foundation. “It celebrates Gustavo Dudamel’s contributions to the betterment of humanity and is intended to support his foundation’s continued work to uplift and transform lives.”
Founded by Lani and Herb Alpert, the Herb Alpert Foundation has championed the arts, arts education, and compassion initiatives for more than four decades, awarding more than $250 million in grants to date. The Herb Alpert Honor brings together the Foundation’s core values—artistic excellence, generosity, and humanitarian impact—by recognizing those who harness the power of music to create meaningful change around the world.
