Laufey has announced the launch of The Laufey Foundation, with the primary mission of supporting young musicians and making music education accessible to them.
The Laufey Foundation will ensure that young musicians of all demographics have the opportunity to attend youth orchestra programs, and will award inaugural grants to the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, LA Phil’s YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) programme, The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and two of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles (NYO2 and NYO Jazz) with a goal of expanding the number and locations of orchestras globally in the months and years to come.
Alongside herself, Laufey has also announced AWAL, AEG Presents, and Steinway & Sons as founding partners, as well as Warner Chappell, Catbird and Gibson Gives as benefactor partners through their donations. Laufey will also be donating a portion of the proceeds of every one of her Mei Mei The Bunny toys sold.
Having started out in youth orchestra programs herself, the Foundation forms part of Laufey’s mission to support the young artist community. In 2024, she founded The Laufey Scholarship for graduate students at Syracuse University’s Bandier Music Business Master’s Program, which will provide $100,000 to international students in need of financial aid over the next ten years.
“The support and scholarships I received as a child have directly led to the career I have now,” Laufey said. “It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to provide the next generation with the same support and opportunities. I can’t wait to connect with the young musician community!”
