YACM: Two Grants

Recently we received word that we have been awarded two grants to support our 2015-2016 season.

Kaiser Permanente Foundation

The Kaiser Permanente Foundation (KPF) is giving us $10,000 to support Music Matters. This money will be used to provide scholarships to children who attend a Music Matters school. To qualify for the grant a child must be a part of the subsidized lunch program at their school.

This initial grant allows us to test the viability of a scholarship program for Music Matters. If all goes well, KPF hopes to be able to give us more money to develop an even more robust scholarship program the following year.

This grant comes at the same time that a school in Vallejo has reached out to us with an appeal to bring music education to their school.

Federal Terrace Elementary School in Vallejo cannot afford music. Its principal, Marisa Carbonell, contacted us seeking support. She had $5,000 to commit to the program. We estimate that to provide a program that would have meaningful outcomes would cost $15,000 - $20,000.

Mindful of the challenges we have faced in other school districts, our Director of Development Kevin Phillips asked Ms. Carbonell how stakeholders in Vallejo would feel about a partnership between her school and YACM for music education.

“Vallejo is a Full Service Community school district,” Ms. Carbonell said. “It is our mission now to partner with community organizations, and other organizations who are willing to partner with us and bring enrichment opportunities to our students. Our teachers union is highly supportive of the arts. Partnering with you would be welcomed highly by all stakeholders.”

The Margaret Beelard Community Foundation

The Margaret Beelard Community Foundation (MBCF) is giving us $20,000 to help us raise awareness of opportunities for children to study music – with a particular focus on string instruments -- throughout Solano County.

Due to the lack of funding in the public schools, children of Solano County do not have access to a meaningful music education. Of 97 public schools serving 65,000 children, only two Junior High and High Schools offer an education in strings and/or orchestra. Families are not exposed to meaningful orchestra music and therefore children do not pursue opportunities for private music education.

The MBCF enables YACM to get in front of kids and inspire them with the promise of excellence in music education.

2015-2016 Fundraising Goal

Our fundraising goal for 2015-2016 is $80,000. The YACM Community successfully raised $74,632 outside of registration fees and tuition for its 2014-2015 season. With the KPF and MBCF grants, we are well on our way to achieving our goal.

What can the YACM Community do to help?

1. If you have means, become a Bridge to Excellence Partner.

2. Talk to your employer to consider making a tax-deductible donation.

3. Be on the lookout for foundations and other organizations who would benefit from being a YACM Partner.

4. Be available to participate in special fundraising events sponsored by leaders in the YACM Community.

The 2015-2016 season is already off to a great start. We are grateful to the Kaiser Permanente Foundation and the Margaret Beelard Community Foundation for their commitment to the YACM mission to instill in children the habits and discipline of excellence through the performing arts.