The D’Addario Foundation, a 503(c) nonprofit that is a global leader in finding, funding, and partnering with transformative music education organizations, has announced the results of its first two grant application cycles.
“107 passionate not-for-profit organizations spread out over 30 states have been awarded grants for the first half of this year,” says Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, foundation director. “We’re thrilled because a great majority of these states have the lowest high school graduate rates in the U.S. and face significant challenges in their education systems, challenges that compromises the ability for students to receive a well-rounded education.” In total the D’Addario Foundation has awarded $210,000 in monetary donations and $57,000 in D’Addario and Company product.
Of those 107 organizations, 45 are new to the D’Addario Foundation. “We prides ourselves on funding programs in the early stages of development when support is most critical and difficult to come by,” Brouder adds. “Many of these new organizations are boosted by the support from the D’Addario Foundation and are able to leverage the credibility and track record with securing other forms of support.” In addition, the D’Addario Foundation partners with a diverse array of programs, believing that musical inclusion does not come in a one-size-fits-all package. With these grants, the Foundation has committed support to programs including inner-city free orchestral instruction; rock band instruction at schools and at Boys and Girls Clubs; guitars for teenagers incarcerated in juvenile detention centers; jazz instruction for at-risk and incarcerated teens; and others.
“We’re unique in that we’re grant makers, proving support to programs that are not just teaching music but lifting human aspirations, improving quality of life, and strengthening disadvantaged communities,” Brouder says. “The goal is to use consistent, engaging music
education to awaken the potential in students, and we’re looking forward to these recent grants inspiring students who need it the most.” Since these programs began, there have been impressive results. In neighborhoods where the high school dropout rate hovers at 50 percent, over 95 percent of participating students in D’Addario-funded programs are graduating on time and applying to college. Many are the first generation in their family to attend college.
Photo: Suzanne D’Addario Brouder
