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Congratulations to these new matching-grant recipients!

Baton Rouge, LA: Baton Rouge, LA Kids Orchestra: CFKF gave a matching grant to this organization early in its development; it has grown substantially since then, now serving 1,800 at-risk students from around the area. They need more instruments to fulfill this growing need. CFKF is offering them $1,654 in matching funds to support this growing need.

Brooklyn, NY: PS 958: In its 4^th year, this public school serving kids grades 3-5 has for the first time a weekly music class for all students; they need to build an inventory of instruments to support this program. CFKF is offering them $950 in matching funds to support this growing music program.

Destin, FL: Sinfonia Gulf Coast Youth Orchestra: This orchestra is expanding their afterschool string program to 2 other schools serving beginning strings grades 3-12 in the Destin area; they need an expanded inventory of new instruments to serve that need. We are offering them $1,500 in matching funds to support this growing need.

Gainesville, GA: Boys and Girls Club of Lanier: This BGC is wishing to add guitar instruction to their existing enrichment programs serving children grades K – five in three schools they serve in a rural area of Georgia. These guitars will help also provide access to children and families unable to afford purchase or rental of instruments. CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to support this growing need.

Greenfield, IN: Central HSO: CFKF gave this program in Grant in 2021; their high school orchestra is growing quickly, and they have a strong need for more cellos and double basses, as they do not have enough inventory to meet that demand. CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to support this school’s growing participation in strings.

Lauderdale Lakes, FL: St. Helen Catholic School:  This faith-based school has had a strong art education program for nearly 60 years; they wish to expand their instrumental offerings to this community of over 300 students. CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to support this school’s musical growth.

Moshi Tanzania Majengo School:  while we have had International inquiries before, this is the first completed application we have received. The initiative was taken by a BU student violinist who has traveled to this program for volunteer work in the summer. They serve a population of students grades K through adult, providing instruments and lessons. CFKF is offering them $1,000 in matching funds to support this need; this is our first international giving.

New Orleans, LA: Einstein Charter Schools:  This group of charter schools is initiating a new string program to support the growth and creativity of their student population grades K – 12. They need an infusion of new instruments to help get this program off the ground. Of note is that the area served was the most badly damaged part of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina; they are still rebuilding there. CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to support this exciting new initiative.

Newport News, VA: Soundscapes: Soundscapes, which runs the Peninsula Youth Orchestra, has developed a thriving after school Music program for kids grades 2–6.  They wish to purchase a batch of new ukuleles to build participation in the program, along with some full-size cellos for the elder students involved. CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to help provide greater access for low incomes students and families to participate.

San Diego, CA: Roots and Rhythms Program: This program’s Parent organization is named Kupanda; their focus is on providing support and artistic experience to African (primarily Congolese, many from camps in Tanzania and Kenya) refugees and immigrants now living in San Diego. They need an influx of Instruments to help this new program get off the ground. They support students grades 1-8; CFKF is offering them $1,216 in matching funds to support this admirable new initiative.

Sister Bay, WI: Midsummer’s Music: CFKF gave a grant to this organization in 2024; their strings instruction program, run by a local string quartet, is growing and they need a few more instruments to support that growth. They work with students grades 3–5 from a primarily underserved population; CFKF is offering them $1,465 in matching funds to support this young organization’s growth.

West Fargo, ND: Cheney MSO: This middle school orchestra serving students grade 6–8 has experienced strong growth over the last 10 years; their inventory has not grown to catch up to the need; one example is that they have 30 young double bass players and 12 instruments to share. They are asking for support for one more double bass to start catching up to demand. CFKF is offering them $924 in matching funds to support this need.

Congratulations to our 1st Quarter Grant recipients!

Benton, KY: Benton Elementary School: This school, serving kids grades K-5 in a rural part of western Kentucky, wishes to start ukulele instruction to help their students learn the fundamentals of music in this fun way. We’re offering a matching grant for ukeleles to encourage their initiation of this program.

Boulder, CO: Boulder, CO SD: Boulder has a pretty substantial music program for students grades 5–12; they need more instruments for younger students in incremental sizes to encourage their participation and ability. CFKF is offering them $1,000 in matching funds to support their beginning students with financial limitations.

Chicago, IL: One City Strings: One City Strings provides instrumental training for kids grades K – 8 in Chicago’s South Side. The program’s goal is to help students learn critical life skills through the study of music. They need an infusion of new stringed instruments to continue supporting their students’ growth. CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to support this organization’s ability to offer instruments to kids in need.

Davenport, IA: Common Chord:  This organization serves students ages 8-10 from all around the Quad Cities area of Iowa. They offer a comprehensive combination of activities and mentoring that are designed to support the whole student; they need an infusion of instruments to be able to better serve this large population. We are offering them $1,500 in matching funds to help them provide the instruments their students need in an area of the Midwest we building presence in.

Gainesville, GA: Hispanic Alliance GA: This program offers a comprehensive variety of services to Hispanic families in this midsize community in Georgia (“the poultry capital of Georgia”). They are beginning a new string program to help their students develop life skills and need an infusion of instruments to get things running. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to support this new program in an area of the Southeast we have little presence.

Hamburg, NY: Frontier SD:  This middle school in a community near Lake Erie needs support for more instruments to increase inventory available in order to expand the program. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,000 to encourage this school’s growth in this largely rural area of New York State.

Kansas City, MO: Northeast Community Center: This organization is affiliated with the Kansas City Harmony Project; we have given grants to several Harmony Projects nationally. They serve an economically challenged area of KC; we are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to further encourage this program’s work.

Memphis, TN: Libertas School of Memphis: This recently developed middle school has an existing music program, and this would be their first foray into strings education. They need a starter batch of new instruments in order to accomplish this goal. CFKF is offering them a grant of $1,118 to support the at-risk kids they serve in this quickly growing new school.

New York City, NY: The Boys’ Club of New York: This venerable organization has been serving boys throughout the NYC Area for 150 years. They are starting a new program focusing on strings in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx and need an inventory of new instruments to get things going. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to provide encouragement to this organization’s new initiative.

Orcas Island, WA: Orcas Island SD: This school offers the only music education for kids grades 5-12 on this isolated island; they have a great need for more new instruments (the last one they got was 10 years ago). CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,000 to encourage this isolated string program’s work in an area of the Northwest we have little presence.

Philadelphia, PA: Tune Up Philly: This organization supports underserved families and students grades 3–6 throughout the greater Philadelphia area with a focus on communities inside the city. Their goal is to provide high-quality instruments for their Orchestral Pathways Program. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to further encourage this large and well-run program’s work.

San Angelo, TX: Emmanuel Episcopal Church: This church provides the only music enrichment program in this area of West Texas; they serve hundreds of kids ages 8–18. Their goal is to expand from a violin-only offering to other instruments in the string group. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,000 to further encourage this faith-based organization’s important work in an area of Texas we have a little presence.

San Rafael, CA: Enriching Lives Through Music: we gave an additional grant to this program serving kids grades 5–11 some years ago; it has grown substantially and needs an infusion of new instruments to support a primarily underserved community with significant economic hardships, and they need more and larger instruments to support their growing students. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to further encourage this growing program’s work.

Seattle, WA: The Rhapsody Project: this organization focuses its efforts on supporting Black and indigenous children Grades 3–12 through cultural and musical activities. They need an infusion of Instruments to help build inventory and provide instruments to those unable to afford them. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this program’s work in the Seattle area.

St. Lucia, FL: Dalton Learning Academy: This school serving kids pre-K through 8th grade is starting a new string program to complement their existing music program and needs a starter inventory to serve this initiative. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,000 to further encourage this well-run program’s work.

Yonkers, NY: Montessori School 27:  This school serving kids grades 3–6 is beginning a ukulele instruction program to augment their basic music offerings. They need an infusion of Instruments to get this initiative going. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to help them get this new initiative off the ground.

Congratulations to our 4th Quarter Grant recipients!

Bronx, NY: Equality Charter School: This school serving students grades 9-12 is launching a new string program, and needs a substantial new inventory in order to provide equitable access to instruments. They serve a low-income area of the Bronx, and CFKF is offering them $500 in matching funds to encourage their initiation of this program.

Denver, CO: El Sistema Colorado: This program serves kids grades K-12 from around metro Denver; their student population comes from some of the lower-income areas of Denver. Some of their cello students have outgrown their instruments, and the program needs support for an inventory of larger cellos. CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to support their growing students.

Denver, CO: El Waldorf School: This private school serving kids grades 3-12 provides instruments for any students unable to afford them; they need a larger inventory to keep up with this demand. We’re offering them $1,000 in matching funds to support their ability to offer instruments to kids in need.

Lawrence, MA: Community Day Care: This organization serves kids grades K-8 in this economically challenged community. They have a need to substantially increase their inventory of violins to provide equitable access to their students; much of their violin inventory is older and in bad condition. CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to help them provide the instruments their students need.

Los Angeles, CA: Harmony Project: We have given a few grants over the years to this great organization; they serve thousands of kids grades K-12 in the LA area with instruments and lessons. They have a need for more stringed instruments; CFKF is offering them $1,500 in matching funds to help them provide the instruments their students need.

New York City, NY: Multicultural Music Group: This organization, located in the Harlem/Washington Heights area of NYC, serves middle school students, and their student population has grown dramatically, with a concurrent need for more instruments. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to support their growing music program and student population.

New York City, NY: Third String Music School Settlement: We have supported this well-run school (PS 2) with a few grants over the past several years. They serve students grades 3-5. They offer group lessons; their music program continues to grow and they need more inventory to meet that growth. We’re offering them a matching grant of $1,000 to further encourage this organization’s work with at-risk kids.

San Diego, CA: Youth Symphony: This well-regarded organization serves kids grades 3-12 from around the San Diego area. This grant would help support the acquisition of more high-quality cellos to their students in need. We’re offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to further encourage this well-run program’s work in San Diego.

St. Petersburg, FL: TFO Strings Project: This small program offers music instruction to students grades 2-12 in the Ridgecrest Community in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Juvenile Detention Center. They need an infusion of a few new instruments to meet the needs of their teachers and students. CFF is offering them a grant of $1,066 to support the at-risk kids they serve in a community we haven’t supported before.

Westerly, RI: United Music School: This school serving students from around southern RI and southeastern CT has started a new string program for students grades 2-12 with the goal of providing instruments free of cost to their students and string ensemble. They are also offering strings instruction to other schools in the area that lack this offering. We’re offering them a matching grant of $1,000 to provide encouragement to this new initiative.

Whitney Point, NY: CSD: This public school serving students grades 6-8 in rural Broome County has an aging inventory of ukeleles and guitars needing replacement. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,050 to support this rural school’s music program in an area of New York we haven’t had a presence in.

Congratulations to our grant recipients!

Baton Rouge, LA: Kids’ Orchestra: We have given a few grants some time ago to this Organization; they serve around 1,000 at-risk kids grades K – 12 from around Southern Louisiana. They have a need for a few more cellos for this large program. We have offered them $1,300 in matching funds to continue our support for this extensive program.

Bay Harbor, MI: Great Lakes Center for the Arts: This organization stands alone for offering music education to a five-county area in northern Michigan; they serve kids grades 4-12. They need to build their inventory of instruments to support families otherwise unable to participate. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,500 to support this program in an area we have little presence.

Bayfield, CO: Music Everywhere: This organization serves kids grades K – 12 in a largely rural area in Southwest Colorado. They organize 14 ensembles in nine different schools. They have a need for more inventory to keep up with demand in these various programs. We have offered them a matching grant of $1,500to further encourage this organization’s development in an area of the Intermountain West we have a limited presence in.

Caldwell, ID: Heritage Community Charter School: This school offers strings education for kids grades 3–8; they have a need for more inventory so that students wishing to participate can have an instrument. We have offered them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this program in the Intermountain West where we are building presence.

Edwards, CO: Vail Valley Unbound: This is a new program; they have instructors in the area from the BRAVO festival, but they need instruments to initiate the program in their school which serves kids grades K-5. CFKF has offered them a grant of$950 to support this school’s exciting new string program.

Garland, TX: Cooper Elementary Music: This school is starting a string program with ukulele and guitar instruction; they have a popular choral program already. They serve students pre-K through 5^th grade in this large suburb of Dallas. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of$1,000to support this school’s new ukelele initiative.

Greenfield, MA: Musica Franklin: Musica Franklin is a free afterschool program serving kids grades 1-2. They already have traditional string family instruments, but wish to add ukulele and guitar to the mix to teach students chordal instruments. Franklin County is the most rural county in Massachusetts. We have offered them a matching grant of$1,000to support this organization’s program expansion and work with at-risk kids.

Jonesboro, AR: Nettleton Public Schools: This youth orchestra in the public schools serving kids pre-K through grade 12 wishes to expand its inventory to expand its string program to grades 7–12. The area surrounding Jonesboro in northeastern Arkansas is rural. We have offered them a matching grant of$1,500to support this community’s dedication to expanding its strings opportunities for young people.

Miami, FL: Achieve Music: this program serving marginalized, low-income families through music serves kids grades 2-8 in the Coral Gables area. They need a big infusion of new instruments to keep up with the student population and demand. CFKF has offered them $1,500 in matching funds to help them achieve their inventory goals.

NYC, NY: Musical Mentors Collaborative: this program serving PS 145 is developing an after-school initiative for kids grades 1-5, including group classes and individual lessons. They need an infusion of new violins to help support this endeavor. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $972 to support this program’s after-school expansion.

Pittsburgh, PA: Academy Charter School: This charter school is initiating a new string program for students grades 8–12. They need an infusion of ukuleles and guitars to get the program off the ground. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $1,500 to support this charter school’s new musical efforts.

Richmond, VA: Greenspring Foundation: this is our second application from this organization; they serve students grades K-12 from around Richmond. CFKF has offered them a grant of$1,500to further encourage this initiative for Richmond’s kids.

Santa Fe, NM: Santa Fe, NM Symphony:  This regional orchestra has an substantial outreach component to its programming. They serve students ages 8–18 from all around the Santa Fe area, offering a wide variety of educational activities including strings instruction. They need more instruments to allow access to families otherwise unable to participate. We’ve offered them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this local orchestra’s community engagement efforts.

Tacoma, WA: Vision Youth Foundation:  This organization, which serves a small population (10) of kids grades 8–12, needs a new inventory of guitars to replace old or damaged instruments. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $600 to encourage this Youth program.

Watertown, MA: Friends of Watertown Music: this organization, which supports the Watertown Public schools, is requesting support for building inventory. Their string program serves kids grades 4–12. The program has grown substantially in the last four years since we gave them our first grant. CFKF has offered them a matching grant of $859to further encourage this Boston area string program’s growth.

Congratulations to our grant recipients!

Bristol, RI: Community String Project: This organization serves students grades 3-12 throughout this area of Rhode Island; they wish to expand their inventory of instruments for families unable to afford purchase of a new instrument. we have offered them a matching grant of $1,479 to further encourage this organization’s development.

Chicago, IL: The People’s Music School: This organization serves students and families from all around Chicago. We have offered them a matching grant of $1,500 to continue supporting the great work they do for at-risk kids in the Chicago area.

Destin, FL: Sinfonia Gulf Coast: This organization provides the musical experience to a number of communities and schools in northwest Florida that do not have string programs presently. They need to expand their inventory for a new initiative that supports beginning strings instruction in a number of the Title l schools they serve. CFKF is offering them a grant of $1,500 to support this organization’s development in a part of Florida we are building presence in.

Dorchester, MA: Conservatory Lab Charter School: This lottery-based charter school serving grades K-8 provides a well-rounded curriculum to some of the most economically disadvantaged areas in Boston, offering Music as a core course. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to support this innovative school’s orchestral initiative.

Fall River, MA: Bristol County Chamber Foundation: this Foundation supports SouthCoast Creative Arts Lab, an afterschool program serving kids grades 7-8 in this economically challenged community. They need an infusion of instruments to help build this initiative. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to support this organization’s work with at-risk kids.

Garnerville, NY: North Rockland County SD: This school district 25 miles from NYC has a very active orchestral program, and needs a large infusion of instruments to support demand. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to support this remarkable School district’s dedication to strings instruction.

Greenbrier, AR: Greenbrier Eastside Elementary: This Title I school is beginning a new music program through ukulele instruction for their students grades four and five; they need a starter inventory for this initiative. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,425 to support this program in an area of the South we are building presence in.

Mattapan, MA: Immigrant Family Services: This large program serves a predominantly immigrant community several economically challenged communities mainly south of Boston. They need a big infusion of instruments to support their music offerings in this expanding program. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to support this important Boston area initiative.

Oklahoma City, OK: Jubilee Partners Assoc.: This organization serving an older and economically disadvantaged area in Oklahoma City wishes to build a guitar instruction program to augment their existing activity for youth grades K-12. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this new initiative for at-risk kids.

Sister Bay, WI: Midsummer’s Music:  This community-based string quartet residency serving kids grades 3-5 wishes to build their program with an additional infusion of new instruments; many students’ families can’t afford buy or rent, prohibiting participation in strings otherwise. There are no other spring programs in this area. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this innovative community model organization’s growth.

Sunrise, FL: STEAM by Pauls: This Title I school is starting a new string program serving a primarily Haitian and Hispanic student population grades K – 6. Their goal is to provide every student who wishes to enroll with an instrument. We are offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage the development of this new program.

Sykesville, MD: Opus Community Music School: This Baltimore area school serving kids grades K-12 is creating a beginning string program for at-risk and underserved youth in the area. They want to be able to provide all students with free instruments and instrument care knowledge. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to encourage this new initiative.

Thornton, CO: A Child’s Song: This Denver area organization serving students grades K – 12 is involved with a broad array of schools, at risk programs, and youth with disabilities and in foster care. This is our second grant request from this organization. They need more instruments to support the many programs they are involved with. CFKF is offering them a matching grant of $1,500 to support their many Community partnerships.