Suggest Charities that Support Music Education for Kids
July 23, 2010 7:42 AM Subscribe
I am currently researching charities that support music education for kids, for the purpose of a bequest from someone who held that as a high value in his life.
I have looked on Charity Navigator and Network For Good, but I would especially like to hear informed, personal comments from people who are directly familiar with these charities.
Some of the things I am looking for:
- ability to donate instruments which will be refurbished and given to kids in schools
- helping disadvantaged or inner-city kids who would not get music classes any other way
- classical and/or jazz focus
- location in Cincinnati, or somewhere in the Midwest, or similar "once-great rust belt city fallen on hard times and attempting rebirth through cultural growth"
I have looked on Charity Navigator and Network For Good, but I would especially like to hear informed, personal comments from people who are directly familiar with these charities.
Some of the things I am looking for:
- ability to donate instruments which will be refurbished and given to kids in schools
- helping disadvantaged or inner-city kids who would not get music classes any other way
- classical and/or jazz focus
- location in Cincinnati, or somewhere in the Midwest, or similar "once-great rust belt city fallen on hard times and attempting rebirth through cultural growth"
"Harmony for Youth" is a ways north of Cincinnati (in Canada) but otherwise ticks most of your boxes.
Sarnia's petro-chemical industry has become increasingly automated and off-shored since the early 70s, so it fits the bill as a once thriving manufacturing town. The charity is highly regarded (by my Mum at least) because it's based in a poorer part of town (nearest the plants) and also serves as an anti-bullying and after-school program.
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:24 AM on July 23, 2010
Sarnia's petro-chemical industry has become increasingly automated and off-shored since the early 70s, so it fits the bill as a once thriving manufacturing town. The charity is highly regarded (by my Mum at least) because it's based in a poorer part of town (nearest the plants) and also serves as an anti-bullying and after-school program.
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:24 AM on July 23, 2010
Boston isn't a rust-belt city fallen on hard times, but we've got some pretty rough neighborhoods for kids. RawkStars does a great job of hooking them up with instruments, lessons, opportunities, etc.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:38 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by rmd1023 at 8:38 AM on July 23, 2010
Maywood Fine Arts is in the Chicago area, but has exactly the mission you describe.
I sent a memail with more info.
posted by readery at 8:50 AM on July 23, 2010
I sent a memail with more info.
posted by readery at 8:50 AM on July 23, 2010
Check with your local Community Foundation. Community Foundations house many specific funds, created by their donors for very specific purposes. Ours has a fund that purchases instruments for kids who could not otherwise afford them.
If the bequest is big enough (often $10,000 is the starting point) you can create your own fund and specify its purpose, to be managed in perpetuity to your specifications (these must be charitable so you can't set up a fund to buy drinks for the audience but your listed purposes will all apply.)
posted by leafwoman at 8:52 AM on July 23, 2010
If the bequest is big enough (often $10,000 is the starting point) you can create your own fund and specify its purpose, to be managed in perpetuity to your specifications (these must be charitable so you can't set up a fund to buy drinks for the audience but your listed purposes will all apply.)
posted by leafwoman at 8:52 AM on July 23, 2010
Best answer: Musical Mentors in New York provides instruments and lessons for public school kids with no music in their school. College music students teach in the program for free and buy instruments
Great program, in which I am directly involved. Please memail me if you would like to know more. It's small scale, person to person, low budget. Anything you might be able to give (including old instruments) is welcome and there is zero administrative cost. It all goes right into the program.
posted by fourcheesemac at 9:30 AM on July 23, 2010
Great program, in which I am directly involved. Please memail me if you would like to know more. It's small scale, person to person, low budget. Anything you might be able to give (including old instruments) is welcome and there is zero administrative cost. It all goes right into the program.
posted by fourcheesemac at 9:30 AM on July 23, 2010
Ps musical mentors is inner city and focuses on classical music AND jazz.
posted by fourcheesemac at 9:32 AM on July 23, 2010
posted by fourcheesemac at 9:32 AM on July 23, 2010
Located in Cincinnati, aimed at kids/adults with special needs, refurbishes/uses instruments, run by generally awesome people:
Melodic connections
If you want to be put in touch with someone there directly to talk before deciding, feel free to memi.
posted by dpx.mfx at 9:32 AM on July 23, 2010
Melodic connections
If you want to be put in touch with someone there directly to talk before deciding, feel free to memi.
posted by dpx.mfx at 9:32 AM on July 23, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bcwinters at 8:20 AM on July 23, 2010