There were practically no foundations in those days. There was no public support. But what you did was to get some sort of job which would support you so that you could do your music. I think that model may survive a little longer than sitting down to write a grant - versus writing a piece. But I do think a certain independence along those lines is a very good thing, and I have no objections to the idea that man is willing to pay for his pleasures.
Music is a pleasure, and so is composing and playing it.
And anyone ought to have the feeling that they can support that activity rather than insisting that it support them. In your Music Primer , you gave a bit of advice which I've often come back to over the years, as a sort of touchstone in my own life. Decide what you can afford to do with your art, and do only that. I have many requests, a lot of them are commissions, but I have an increasing need to find new tunings . I've always drawn, painted, and written poetry.