The Mockingbird Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit founded and run entirely by Phish fans, has now made more than five hundred (500) grants in music education. This morning, the Foundation announced fifteen (15) new grants totaling $113,600. Mockingbird’s 26th round of competitive grants was again one of the largest disbursements in the Foundation’s history, which now includes 508 grants totaling over $1.9M.

The grants were enhanced by funds from Phish’s own WaterWheel Foundation, which funded half of two of the grants; and through the direct contributions of hundreds of Phish fans. Mockingbird also increased several grants beyond the requested amount, having been particularly impressed by those applicants.

These newest grants support the following programs at schools, community centers, and non-profit organizations in thirteen states:

These fifteen grantees were selected from among 337 initial applicants who requested a total of more than $2.9 million, far beyond the Foundation’s resources. Due to such high demand, Mockingbird’s two-tiered online application process remains one of the most competitive in the nation. Each year, we are able to fund a slightly higher percentage of inquiries, making grants slightly less competitive, thanks to the tremendous generosity of fans. We hope that you will consider making a tax-deductible donation through the Foundation’s website at www.mbird.org so that we can continue to increase the percentage of applicants whom we are ultimately able to fund.

The Mockingbird Foundation has been operated entirely by volunteer fans, with no salaries or paid staff, since its inception. Mockingbird is now a leading provider of historical information about the band Phish and its music, having cultivated intellectual property through phish.net since 1994. Also a leading grantmaker in music education for children, the Foundation has now made 508 grants, in all 50 states, totaling $1,960,657.40. Proceeds are generated by celebrating the music of Phish through books, recordings, art, donations, and special events, including the recent Mockingbird Sessions.

For more information about Phish, see the official Phish.com or Mockingbird’s own fan-run Phish.net.

#33#