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Congratulations to our 4th Quarter recipients!

Boston MA Community Music Center of Boston: This venerable Boston organization (formed in 1910) offers instruments and training to kids K-12 from around Boston. Located in Boston’s South End, they offer instruction there, but 85% of their activity takes place in schools and community centers around the city. They need support for a larger inventory of instruments so that students in need can participate. The student population is diverse, and 71% of the students in this program qualify for the Federal free lunch program. We gave a grant there early in CFKF’s development, and CFKF’s offering them a grant of $2,500 to continue supporting the great work they do there.

Chicago IL Chicago West Community Music Center: This is our 3^rd grant to this organization, which serves people K-adult in an economically challenged area in west Chicago. Current students have grown out of the smaller instruments we’ve supported, and Covid restrictions accentuate the need for more instruments that students can have at home. 100% of the students in this program qualify for the Federal free lunch program. CFKF has given them a grant of $1,000 to continue supporting the great work they do there.

Chicago IL ChiArts Music Conservatory: This community-based conservatory serving kids grades 9-12 has a strong need for more and better inventory for their string program. They strive to serve all 50 wards in Chicago, and make a great effort to create a broad-based, ethnically diverse and equitable student community. CFKF is offering a grant of $1,500 in matching funds to encourage this worthy and innovative program.

Denver CO Denver Young Artists Orchestra: This youth orchestra serves kids grades 2-12 in the Denver metro area;  the focus of this grant is support for kids grades 3-5, with the goal of getting that segment of the program back to full strength during Covid. Their focus is on supporting kids with mixed ethnicity and lower socioeconomic status. 93% of the students in this program qualify for the Federal free lunch program. CFKF is offeringgrant of $1,500 to support this worthwhile program in an area of the Intermountain West.

Fancy Farm KY Elementary Fine Arts Dept.: This school serving kids grades 4-6 in their music program needs an infusion of ukuleles in order to better build participation in music. 100% of the students qualify for the Federal Free Lunch program. CFKF is offering agrant of $1,425 to support this worthwhile and growing program in a rural area.

Ft. Defiance AZ Rez Refuge: This program, located on the Navaho Reservation in the northeastern corner of Arizona, is offering free instruction and instruments to kids grades K-10, along with take-home videos and indigenous musician showcasing. They specifically needed guitars for this program, as most of their existing inventory is beyond repair. The student population is mostly Native American (many of the Navaho tribe, and 85% of the students in this program qualify for the Federal free lunch program. CFKF has offered matching support for their purchase of 6 guitars.

Homestead FL Arts in Action: This summer music program is building an opportunity to experience and play culturally relevant music for disadvantaged kids grades 1-8. Students receive 1-1 guitar instruction, with songs celebrating Hispanic culture for the students in the program. 98% of the students in this program qualify for the Federal free lunch program. CFKF has offered matching support for this program’s purchase of 12 guitars.

Lakeland FL Ukelele Kids Club Inc.: This remarkable and substantial organization supports critically ill and medically fragile children in and out of hospitals with the gift of music through ukuleles and instruction by music therapists. Recipients age from pre-K through high school. They operate in partnership with over 250 hospitals around the US and in several foreign countries; We’ve offered a matching grant of $2,000 in matching funds to initiate a relationship with this innovative organization.

Los Angeles CA Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood: This BGC serving kids K-12 has a strong need for more guitars that students can have at home, especially during Covid, as well as more inventory to be able to serve more kids. They serve an area of LA with high unemployment and crime; the student population is multiethnic (mainly Latinx), and 100% of the students in this program qualify for the Federal free lunch program. CFKF has offered a matchinggrant of $1010 to support this valuable program’s acquisition of new guitars.

Manteca CA Manteca USD: This district’s high school has a very active music program; they have a strong need for more instruments to allow greater participation in the program, and many instruments in their inventory have outlived their useful life. The student population is ethnically mixed (predominantly Hispanic); nearly 90% of the students involved rely on school instruments. CFKF has offered a grant of $1600 in matching funds to support this program serving kids across a broad area in central California.

Miami FL Greater Miami Youth Symphony: This youth orchestra serving kids K-12 in southern Dade County seeks support for an infusion of new instruments for students in their scholarship and free public school programs. CFKF has offered a matching grant of $1,500 in matching funds to support kids most in need in this youth orchestra.

NYC NY Third Street Settlement School: This is our second grant to Third Street; they provide instruments and instructional support for public schools around NYC; the school being considered ((PS 130) serving kids grades 3-5 has a strong need for instruments that students can take home to practice in addition to instruments at school). PS 130 is located in Chinatown; the students are ethnically mainly Asian (86%); CFKF has offered a matching grant of $1,500 to support this worthy NYC program’s efforts.

Roseburg OR Umpqua Symphony Association: This organization offers instruments and teaching to kids K-12 from a large, mainly rural area of southern Oregon; they are the only organization in the area that offers strings to kids before junior high. They need an infusion of instruments to be able to offer training regardless of need. CFKF has offered a matching grant of $1300 to support the work they do there in a rural area of the Northwest.

San Rafael CA Enriching Lives Through Music: ELM  serves the Canal area of San Rafael, providing instruction and instruments to kids ages 7-18 in an economically and socially challenged area. They have a well-organized and incremental learning program, starting with strings and developing into full wind and chamber ensembles. They need more instruments to be able to best serve the variety of needs of kids’ age levels and sizes. CFKF has offered them a grant of $2,000 to support the great work they do there for a student population in need.

Shaker Heights OH Shaker School Foundation: This public school string program serving kids grades 5-6 needs an infusion of new instruments to help provide access to students most in need. CFKF has offered a matching grant of $1,000 in matching funds to support kids most in need at this school system.

St. Charles MN St. Charles Public Schools: This new program serving kids K-12 is offering after-school music instruction in a rural farming area of Minnesota. They need an infusion of new instruments in order to build the program. They have a band program (marching band), and this would be their first foray into the string area. Primary employment is through farming and the nearby Mayo Clinic. We’ve offered a matching grant of $810 in matching funds to support this worthy school system in an area of the upper Midwest.

Stockton CA Able Charter Schools: This charter school is beginning guitar instruction for 4^th and 5^th grades. They presently have no orchestral program, but hope to build one with the expansion of their performing arts center. They do have an existing violin program that the guitar offering would build upon. CFKF is offering a matchinggrant of $2,010 in matching funds from the Hilger fund to support this worthy and building program for disadvantaged kids.

Vista CA Boys and Girls Club: This BGC serves kids ages 5-18 in the Vista area; music is a core part of their activities there, and they wish to provide greater access to that through a larger and better inventory of instruments. The families involved are ethnically mixed (40% English Language learners), and 84% of the students in this program qualify for the Federal free lunch program. CFKF has offered a matching grant of $475 in matching funds to support this program serving kids in this BGC.

Walla Walla WA  Assumption Catholic School: This private school serving kids K-6 wishes to build a new music program, starting with ukulele instruction, music theory classes and vocal accompaniment. We’ve offered a matching grant of $885 in matching funds to support this program serving kids in a rural area of eastern Washington.

Williamsburg VA Providence Charter School: This is our second grant offer to Williambsburg. Last year’s grant helped to initiate a new violin program which they hope to build on with this grant to support the students in the 4^th grade. CFKF has offered a matching grant of $1,000 in matching funds to continue supporting the growth of this new program.

Wilmington DE Tennis Rocks: This afterschool youth support program wishes to build on their existing activities through offering instruction in guitar and ukulele. The hope is to create more opportunities for positive social and cultural interaction through the experience of music. This program serves an impoverished and diverse area of the community and 100% of the students in this program qualify for the Federal free lunch program. We’ve offered a matching grant of $1,375 to support this worthy and innovative program in a state we’re still building presence in.

It’s been a difficult year for music at Macedonia Elementary
dealing with temporary shut-downs, COVID-19 restrictions, and having
no chances to make music outside of school. These instruments saved
us and gave us the chance to finally perform together. The hole left
behind by the lack of recorders was filled and over 200 4th and 5th
graders got to play a ukulele.

Our two ensembles, nearly SO strong, were very successful and
gave our students a much-needed outlet for ensemble performance.
Additionally, greater interest in music has been created at home for
many students. About ten parents bought their students their own
ukuleles after seeing their increased interest in music. At least two of
them are pursuing private lessons for their students now, as well.

Many younger students have seen and heard the instruments
now, too, and can’t wait until they get older and get to play them with
their own hands. Our 5th grade graduation wouldn’t have been the
same without music, and I’m glad our ensembles’ recorded
performances got to liven up the atmosphere. I’ve received several
grateful messages from parents who were thrilled to hear that we
finally made an ensemble this year. Thank you so much.

Congratulations to our 1st Quarter grant recipients!

Anaheim, CA: Anaheim, CA ESD: This elementary school district in urban Anaheim has an innovative program whereby students grades 4-6 rotate through different kinds of instruments. During this time, ukuleles are ideal instruments to work with during Covid; they also have violins and guitars. We’ve offered a matchinggrant of $1,500 to support this worthy program.

Batavia, OH: Clemont NE Community Schools:  These K-5 schools serve a rural area of Ohio; the area is large, with endemic pockets of rural poverty. Most of the students have never touched a stringed instrument. We have offered agrant of $850 in matching funds to support this rural and growing program’s need for ukuleles.

Bay Harbor, MI: Dorothy Gerber String Program: This string program serves kids K-12 in rural northern Michigan (some on Beaver Island are only reachable by air in the winter). They have a need for more instruments so that students unable to afford rentals or purchase can participate. We’ve offered $1,500 in matching funds to support this program serving kids in a rural area of the Midwest.

Boston, MA: Boston Music Project: This large program serves kids pre-K through high school from around Boston; their Morning Music program serves kids pre-K through middle school, which is the focus of this grant. 6 years ago we gave a grant to Josiah Quincy Elementary; BMP now hosts programming at 4 elementary schools, and they are planning on programming at two more schools. They also provide a host of other skill-building activities, including composition and recording skills. CFKF has offered $2,000 in matching funds to support this very thorough and broad-based program.

Chicago, IL: Peoples’ Music School:  We gave a grant here last year; they serve low-income families from around Chicago from nearly 50 zip codes. Their goal is to provide quality instruments to as many kids as possible in order to maximize their musical experience and keep them involved.  We’ve offered $1,500 in matching funds to again support this well-run and expansive program serving kids most at risk.

Dover, DE: Code Purple Kent County: This is a new program serving kids K-12 that is purposed to support the areas of Dover and Kent County. They presently only have small ensembles, and are planning their first orchestra in 2021. This is presently the only string program in the area. CFKF has offered $1,500 in matching funds to support this new program serving kids most at risk in Deleware.

Greenfield, IN: Central School Foundation: This program serves kids grades 7-12 around Hancock County; they need an influx of more instruments to provide them to students whose families can’t afford to own or rent them. CFKF is offering $1,000 in matching funds to support this program in a rural area of Indiana.

Henderson, KY: East Heights and Jefferson EMP:  Henderson is a rural community a fairly short drive from Evansville, Indiana. This program plans to offer ukulele instruction to kids grades K-5 to give them a hands-on experience of learning, music-reading and performing. This would be their first string program; they’ve mainly provided choral instruction. We’ve offered $760 in matching funds to support this rural program in an area we don’t have a lot of presence.

Henderson, NV: Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation: This program serves children from birth through age 22; last year they worked with 96 young people. They provide audible and tactile experience of various instruments through individual and group lessons. CFKF is offering $2,000 in matching funds to support this program to serve this worthy program in a state we don’t have a large presence in.

Kansas City, MO: Heartland Chamber Music: This is our second grant offering to Heartland; they serve economically challenged kids in KC, and need support for more instruments for their first-year violin and cello students. The program serves kids grades K-5 from almost all Title I schools. CFKF is offering $1,500 in matching funds to support this vibrant program’s needs for more and better instruments.

Knoxville, TN: Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley: This Club works with kids grades K-12 through its Youth Arts initiative to provide them with access to the arts in four of its community settings, including low-income housing. We’re offering $1,850 in matching funds to support this worthy program serving kids most at risk in an area of Tennessee we have little presence in so far.

Miami, FL: Youth Enlightenment System Corp: This organization is building a full orchestra program and needs to expand its inventory of instruments to reach that goal.  They work with students ages 3-20, and have existing band and chorus programs. CFKF is offering $1,500 in matching funds to encourage the growth of this program.

NYC, NY: WHIN Community Music School:  This public charter school serves kids grades K-5 in the Washington Heights and Inwood areas of New York. They have a strong need for more instruments to both build inventory and to replace damaged instruments (their need has increased during the pandemic for instruments the kids can have at home). CFKF is offering $1,500 in matching funds to encourage this school and the at-risk kids they serve.

Odessa, TX: Ector County ISD Education Foundation: This middle school string program needs an infusion of more new instruments to better allow access to the program from those unable to afford rental or purchase of instruments. CFKF is offering $1,500 in matching funds to support this established program serving kids most at risk in an area of Texas we haven’t had a presence in yet.

Paducah, KY: Concord Elementary School: This elementary Title I school wishes to begin a new program to provide ukulele instruction in the curriculum; the area has a strong string program in the middle and high schools that the students could participate in afterward. We’re offering $1,000 in matching funds to support this new program in Paducah.

Plattsburgh, NY: Plattsburgh City SD: This string program serving kids grades 5-9 has an active orchestra program, but needs an infusion of new (and better) instruments in order to better serve the students and have age-appropriate sizes available. CFKF is offering $1,000 in matching funds to support this solid program in upstate New York.

Port Arthur, TX: Bob Hope String Program: This program serves a large area of southeast Texas; this request is for their charter middle school program. They have a strong need for more inventory to support the influx of students into middle school from the area. These schools are Title I. CFKF is offering $1,500 in matching funds to support this program and build our presence this area of Texas.

Salinas, CA: El Sistema USA/Salinas Inc.:  This program in a largely agricultural area serves kids grades 1-12 in Salinas; they have a need for more new instruments to inspire continued participation, and to have sufficient inventory for new students this coming summer. We are offering $2,000 in matching funds to support this Sistema program in a new community in California.

Veazie, ME: Veazie Community School:  This school serves kids pre-K through 8^th grade; they wish to expand the number of students who can play ukulele or guitar. CFKF is offering $1,500 in matching funds to support this program in rural Maine.

West Valley City, UT: Monticello Academy:  This charter middle school has a comprehensive required music program including music appreciation; students in that class will play ukulele to learn to play and read music, perhaps enabling them to participate in other performance programs. CFKF is offering $1,425 in matching funds to support this program and its great model.

Congratulations to our 4th Quarter grant recipients!

Albuquerque, NM: Tierra Adentro of New Mexico: This charter school serves kids grades 6-12 from around the Albuquerque area, including students from the Navaho and Pueblo reservations nearby. They have an active music program and need more guitars to provide needed instruments for their music program, which teaches flamenco and some popular Spanish music. We’ve offered matching support for 6 guitars.

Bronx, NY: Heilbrunn School of Music: This inner-city music school provides lessons and instruments to underserved kids grades K-12 in the South Bronx. They need more inventory in order to provide instruments for more kids, and to have instruments they can take home to practice. We’ve offered a grant of $2,000 in matching funds to support their instrumental needs.

Brooklyn, NY: Noel Pointer Foundation: We’ve given one grant to NPF; they offer music instruction in 22 schools across Brooklyn, and they have a great need for more instruments that students can practice at home with, particularly during Covid. CFKF’s offered a grant of $2,000 in matching funds to support this worthy and venerable program serving kids most at risk.

Brookville, IN: An Orchestrated Journey 4H: This is the first 4H program we’re supporting; they serve kids grades K-12 at their center in a rural area of eastern Indiana. They’ve adapted well to the pandemic with a combination of online and distanced in-person learning, and need more instruments for students to be able to learn in this hybrid environment. We’ve offered $533 in matching funds to support this program in a rural area of the Midwest.

Canton, GA: Madedonia Elementary School: This is a new program that aims to offer the musical experience to kids grades K-5 while avoiding issues around singing during Covid. They’re building a ukulele program, and we’ve offered $1,000 in matching funds to support them.

Cascade, ID: SD PTO: This small rural Title I school in western Idaho wishes to build a new string program for 3^rd and 4^th grade; this will continue later through 6^th grade, with the goal of students being able to participate in an extracurricular area orchestra.  CFKF’s offered a grant of $2,000 in matching funds to support this program’s inventory needs in a rural area of Idaho.

Cleveland, OH: Cleveland School of the Arts: This School serves kids grades 9-12; they have a strong need for more instruments for kids whose families cannot afford to rent them. Their student population comes mainly from around Cleveland; we’ve offered a grant of $2,000 in matching funds to encourage the growth of this program and its need for more instruments.

Columbus, OH: Columbus MS Orchestra: This middle-school program in Columbus has insufficient inventory for their large program; students have to share instruments, and are unable to take them home to practice. We’ve offered $2,000 in matching funds to encourage this program’s growth.

Lenoir City, TN: Lenoir City Intermediate School: This middle school has a need for more ukuleles to supplement their inventory; 50 students have to share 12 instruments. We’ve offered $950  in matching support for 20 ukeleles tosupport this program in rural Tennessee.

Los Angeles, CA: A Place Called Home: This was our second request from APCH; we gave them a grant last year. They serve kids grades 2-12 from around LA; they need more instruments to loan to students, particularly now when there’s no in-person teaching. CFKF has offered a grant of $2,000 in matching funds to support this program serving kids most at risk in LA.

Los Angeles: Friends of Gardner: This school offers ukulele instruction to kids grades 4-5; they need more inventory so that students can take instruments home to practice, and so they can build a ukulele ensemble. We’ve offered a matching grant of $1900 to support this worthy program and their building program.

Medford, MA: Tufts University: Tufts has created an outreach program for kids grades K-12, along with the goal of providing instruments to each student involved. CFKF has offered $2,000 in matching funds to encourage this program and the venerable institution that runs it.

Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee Public Schools: This is our second grant to MPS; they’re working on expanding equitable music instruction across the district, and this grant will support their effort to provide first-time access to music to three more schools serving kids grades K-8. We’ve offered  grant of $2,000 in matching funds to continue support for this exciting large initiative.

Philadelphia, PA: West Park Cultural Center: This small program in an underserved area of Philadelphia is starting a guitar program (first online during Covid, then in-person after) to provide musical experience and community connection.  Kids in this program and the area are drawn to the arts, and this would be their first playing opportunity. CFKF has offered $750 in matching funds to support this new direction.

Placerville, CA: El Dorado HS Music.: This Title I high school is working on providing more access to music for their ethnically diverse student population. Placerville is a small former mining town in a very rural agricultural area. CFKF’s offered $450 in matching funds to help them build a ukulele class.

Portland, ME: Palaver Strings: This is our second grant offer to Palaver; they serve kids pre-K and 1^st grade in the Portland area. The program is growing; this grant will help provide new instruments for beginners, and larger instruments for their advancing grade. CFKF has offered $1,000 in matching funds to support this building program.

Raleigh, NC: Community Music School: This school serves kids grades 3-12 from around Raleigh; they only work with students from economically disadvantages families. They’re building a sequential music program designed to bring music to kids as early in their development as possible. CFKF has offered a grant of $950 in matching funds to support their purchase of 20 ukeleles.

San Antonio, TX: Classical Music Institute: This program serves kids grades 2-12 from around the Bexar County area of San Antonio; their goal with this grant is to provide greater access to instruments so that students can take them home to practice. We’ve offered matching support of $2,063 for 7 instruments.

Sidney, ME: Snow Pond Center for the Arts: This longstanding organization in rural central Maine provides music instruction and instruments to kids from around the area; they’re starting a new program for students in Grade 3, with the eventual goal of building a full string orchestra program. CFKF has offered matching support of $1,479 for 6 violins to encourage this rural program.

St. Louis, MO: St. Frances Cabrini Academy: This school serves kids grades K-8; they have a general music class, but are starting a new string program to give the students a chance to learn an instrument and to create opportunities to bridge cultural divides and bring students together. They serve students from around South St. Louis; we’ve offered a grant of $2,000 in matching funds to support this interesting new program.

Stamford, CT: Intempo:  Intempo serves kids K-12 from around the Stamford area; they need access to more and better instruments to cover increasing demand for their services. They need 6 instruments, and we’ve offered a grant of $1,559 in matching funds to support this program serving kids and families in need.

Tucson, AZ: Arts for All Inc.:  This program serves kids K-12 from all around the Tucson area; for many, this is the only musical opportunity they have.  Arts for All wishes to expand its instrument instruction to include ukuleles; we’ve offered $450 in matching funds to support this program’ growth.

Williamsburg, VA: Providence Classical School: This school started a new string program last year for kids in 2^nd grade; they’re building on this so that 3^rd graders will have access to violins as well, with the hope to add viola soon. CFKF’s offering agrant of $1,500 in matching funds to encourage this growing program.

We have grants in all 50 states but we are always looking to extend our reach.  Tell your friends all about CFKF and our matching grants that help schools and string programs purchase high-quality instruments.

Congratulations to our 1st quarter grant recipients:

Bowling Green, KY: Drakes Creek MS: This middle school in a suburban and rural area of south-central Kentucky has decided to start a new music program with guitars due to strong demand from their students (they already have an orchestra and band program). They’ve been offered matching support for 24 guitars.

Chicago, IL: Chicago Bulls College Prep Music Program: This private high school offers free tuition and rigorous academics in Chicago Near West Side,, one of Chicago’s most underserved areas. Their music program consists of orchestra and guitar, and has a strong need for more inventory; all of their instruments need to be shared, CFKF has offered matching support for 4 new instruments to help them build their inventory.

Chicago, IL: The Peoples’ Music School: This school provides a tuition-free music experience to students K-12 to underserved students around Chicago. They are growing quickly (tripled ins size since 2015 to over 900 students); they partner with the Chicago Symphony for performance opportunities; they provide private lessons, orchestra and music theory to all of their kids. We’ve offered $2000 in matching funds to encourage this quickly growing initiative.

Clarksdale, MS: Griot Arts: Clarksdale is a small community in central Mississippi that has a rich history of blues music. This small school offers music education to students grades 3-12; they have a strong need for increased inventory as they grow. They’ve been offered matching support toward 14 new instruments to provide more access to this great program.

Dallas, TX: Dallas Symphony Orchestra: This is our second grant to the DSO; their Southern Dallas Residency program is expanding rapidly, supporting underserved kids grades 1-5 with free music instruction and events. We’ve offered $3000 in matching funds to again support this exciting initiative.

Detroit, MI: Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts: This quickly growing new school serving students grades 9-10 in Detroit has inspired over 1/3 of the students to become involved in music; they need a new infusion of inventory to keep pace with demand. They’ve been offered $2000 in matching funds to encourage this growing initiative in an economically challenged area.

Detroit, MI: Detroit Public Schools Foundation: This large public school system requested support for its orchestral program for kids grades 5-12; they have a strong need for more inventory as the program grows, as well as for replacement of aging and unplayable instruments. The system as a whole has made a substantial new commitment this year to music education, an exciting development after years of terminated music programs. This system’s student population comes from one of the highest poverty rates in the U.S.; they’ve been offered $2000 in matching funds to support this very encouraging new initiative.

Fall River, MA: Atlantis Educational Foundation: This public charter school is launching a new string program in Fall 2020 for kids grades 4-8 in Fall River, an economically challenged community with high rates of poverty.  They need a starter inventory of new instruments to be able to launch the program, and CFKF is offering $2000 in matching funds to support them.

Ft. Collins, CO: Off the Hook Arts: Off the Hook Arts is a recent private initiative aimed at creating musical opportunity for disadvantaged kids grades 1-5; they are expanding quickly at 2 locations in Ft. Collins with their Meadowlark program offering violin and guitar instruction. This is the only musical opportunity for underserved kids in the area; CFKF is offering $2000 in matching funds to continue encouraging this private program’s growth and the underserved kids they support.

Portland, OR: Bravo Youth Orchestra: This program serves kids grades pre-K-9 in one of the poorest areas of Portland, providing music instruction to over 600 students in 6 schools in the Roosevelt School District there; we’ve offered $2500 in matching funds to continue encouraging this program’s expansion.

Sedona, AZ: Chamber Music Sedona: This different model for string education by a chamber music society offers private instruction, access to public concerts, and music appreciation initiatives to kids grades 7-12 around the area. They’ve been offered  $1478 in matching funds to support this interesting model’s needs.

Winooski, VT: Winooski Schools: This program serves kids grades 5-12 in Winooski, which is close to Burlington. The town has the lowest per capita income in the state. The student body is truly international; a total of 25 languages, many African, Far Eastern and Middle Eastern dialects, are spoken. CFKF has offered $2,000 in matching funds to encourage this diverse public school system.

We have grants in all 50 states but we are always looking to extend our reach.  Tell your friends all about CFKF and our matching grants that help schools and string programs purchase high-quality instruments.

Congratulations to our 4th quarter grant recipients:

Augusta, GA: Salvation Army Kroc Center: This Kroc Center music program that serves kids K-8 with guitar lessons and instruments is located in the Harrisburg area; This program is intended to reach the kids there through music, and to improve their prospects in life. CFKF has offered support for 12 guitars.

Brooklyn, NY: Noel Pointer Foundation: This is our second grant offer to Noel Pointer Foundation. NPF serves kids from around Brooklyn grades 3-12 with afterschool and weekend instruction. They support two orchestras, which perform around the New York area (including Carnegie Hall). We have offered $3,000 in matching funds to encourage this highly dedicated strings initiative.

Heathsville, VA: Rappahannock Concert Association: This program serves the fairly remote area of the Northern Neck of Virginia where there is currently no music instruction other than from this organization. They serve kids grades 1-7  with lessons and access to instruments, and we’ve given support for 3 cellos to encourage this program’s further development.

Kansas City, MO: Heartland Chamber Music: This is our second grant offer to Kansas City HCM; they serve economically disadvantaged kids pre-K-5 at 4 sites around KC with instruction for beginning violin and cello.  We’ve offered $3,075 in matching funds to encourage this growing initiative.

Lexington, MI: Camp Cavell: This is our 2^nd grant to Camp Cavell; this is a summer program, and their desire is to provide a musical opportunity that’s a gateway to the music experience, while being affordable. The students come from around Southeast Michigan (including Detroit and a total of 35 cities and towns) we’ve offered $500 in matching funds to help them purchase 10 ukeleles and to continue encouraging their summer program’s growth and the underserved kids they support.

Los Angeles, CA: A Place Called Home: This is our second grant offer to APCH; they serve 1,000 kids grades 2-12 from around LA, and our last grant there has stimulated considerable growth and interest. We’ve offered $2,047 in matching support for 13 instruments to encourage this growing program.

Louisville, KY: Marion C. Moore School: This public school, serving kids grades 6-12 in an urban area of Jefferson County, has a strong need for new and better inventory for their students, and for instruments that the students can take home to practice on. We’ve offered $3,534 in matching funds to continue encouraging their growth and the underserved kids they support.

Padukah, KY: Redland MS:  This is a public middle school serving kids grades 6-8 in the same area as our recent grant site in Padukah; it’s a rural school district with many low-income families. They needed support for 7 instruments, and we’ve offered $3,043 in matching funds to help this school provide access to instruments for those in greatest need.

Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Orchestra: This prestigious orchestra has created the School Ensemble Program serving kids grades K-3 and 5-8 in two different public schools serving several hundred kids. They provide orchestral training (by PSO teaching artists and musicians) as well as instruments; there’s a strong need for more inventory, as many students have to share them. These programs are located in West Philadelphia; CFKF has offered $5,000 in matching funds to further support this exciting young program and the kids they serve.

Rancho Mirage, CA: Steinway Society Riverside County: This organization provides musical experiences and instruments to schools all around the Coachella Valley in southern CA. This particular program is offering musical support for kids grades 3 and 4 including instruction and ukuleles. We’ve offered recommend $5320 in matching funds for many new ukuleles to encourage this program’s vision and all of the kids in the area they support.

Richton Park, IL: Matteson SD 162: This public school string program serves kids grades 6-8; the program started 3 years ago, and they need more quality inventory to provide access to their growing participants. We’re offering matching support for 4 cellos and 3 double basses with $3,573 in matching funds to support this growing public school program’s needs.

Rutland, VT: County Public Schools: This string program in a rural area of Vermont is working to expand its orchestral program, but is inhibited by lack of quantity and quality of inventory. We’ve $4,000 in matching funds to encourage this public school system in a state we have little presence; this is our second grant in Vermont.

Sandy Springs, GA: North Springs Charter HS: This school serving students grades 9-12 has a limited inventory, and there’s a strong need for more double basses so that students can practice at home.  The school is a dual magnet school, and many students travel as long as 2 hours to attend. CFKF has offered $1557 in matching funds to encourage this program’s efforts to bring music to low-income kids and families in a state we’re expanding our presence in.