$199K in expenses

Music and youth initiative was founded in 2005 to partner with youth development organizations serving under-resourced urban communities. We provide each partner with multi-year funding, equipment grants, and extensive program support to help them create and sustain a "music clubhouse", which they integrate into their overall program offerings. We also provide funding and program support for "catalyst grants" for new or existing innovative programs that use music as a vehicle for youth development for organizations that may not have the space or staffing required for a music clubhouse. We support after-school programs focused on tweens and teens, designed to be safe places for young people to not only explore their musical interests, but more importantly use music as a vehicle to understand and express their thoughts and emotions, and develop life skills as they move toward adulthood. These programs are led by a professional musical staff with strong youth development skills who are dedicated to helping all participants find their voice. The programs are intentionally self-directed, encouraging teens to play the music they are interested in and supporting their efforts to learn as much musically as they desire. In addition to a wide array of instruments such as guitars, drums, and keyboards as well as with state-of-the art recording hardware and software to attract today's teens who are interested in writing and producing their own music.