The D’Addario Foundation announced $247,000 in monetary grants and D’Addario & Co. product donations were given to 110 grassroots, community-based organizations that are greatly improving outcomes of marginalized and impoverished children through an immersive education in music. These grantees spread out over 34 of the 50 states.
Of those 110 organizations, 46 are being awarded D’Addario Foundation grants for the first time, including Ingenuity, an Illinois initiative that is improving the access and quality of in-school music programs in underserved communities in hopes to fully institutionalize the arts in Chicago public schools; INTAKE Organization, which along with a rigorous music instruction curriculum also has a family advocacy team in place that delivers academic and reading tutoring, English language help, and homework assistance; Kids in Concert, an El Sistema-inspired string program in Washington state with a heavy emphasis on student mentoring and volunteering; and The Gift of Music Foundation, an organization serving nearly 200 students that places experienced music educators and volunteer teachers in classrooms where music programs were cut by the city of Atlanta.
The D’Addario Foundation, a 503(c) nonprofit, conducts two grant cycles per year where organizations may apply for support. Prospective grantees must first clearly illustrate important elements for success including level of intensity and need, leadership strength, sustainability, and community. After a select number of organizations receive grants, they are asked to report measurable outcomes and progress towards their program’s goals and keep active communication going before they can re-apply for support.
“2018 is going to be a big year for the D’Addario Foundation,” said Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, executive director of the Foundation. “In addition to identifying and awarding support to the finest not-for-profit music programs, the D’Addario Foundation will launch a few exciting new initiatives that we believe will greatly enhance our ability to affect positive change in a number of ways.”