FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Mockingbird Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded by Phish fans, has announced ten new grants, totaling $40,751, supporting music education for children. The grants come from the Mockingbird Foundation’s 15th round of competitive grant-making, and bring total Mockingbird disbursements to over $700,000.
These newest grants support programs at six schools and four non-profit organizations in eight states:
- $5,000 for scholarships to the Student to Student program at Connecticut Percussive Arts Society (Bridgeport, CT)
- $5,000 for instruments for the Rural Music Corps at Ethos (Portland, OR)
- $4,716 for equipment for the Rock and Rhythm Band at Jefferson Middle School (Albuquerque, NM)
- $2,500 for computer software and related items for a Music Technology class at Lindley Sixth Grade Academy (Mableton, GA)
- $5,000 for equipment for the Create and Perform! program at Michigan Opera Theatre (Detroit, MI)
- $5,000 for instruments for the band program at Oakland School District (Oakland, OR)
- $5,000 for instruments for Peer Power at Shelby Middle School (Boyle, MS)
- $3,535 for staffing for the Primal Connection troubled-teen percussion education program of Avon Park Youth Academy (Sebring, FL)
- $5,000 for instruments for the Elementary Rock Band at Walnut Canyon Performing Arts & Technology Magnet School (Moorpark, CA)
- $5,000 for scholarships to Aswat Youth at Zawaya (San Mateo, CA)
These ten grantees were selected from among 1,149 initial applicants who requested a total of more than $4.6 million. Due to such high demand, the Foundation’s two-tiered online application process remains one of the most competitive in the nation. Please consider making a fully 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, run entirely by volunteers, supports music education for children by fundraising through Phish-related projects. The Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was organized by Phish fans in 1996, formally incorporated in 1997, and has since then distributed over $710,000 through 219 grants in 43 states.
The Foundation is also the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, having cultivated intellectual property through www.phish.net since 1994 and having published two editions of the popular trade paperback books The Phish Companion: A Guide to the Band and Their Music. The Foundation is able to disburse more than 98% of the funds raised to important and innovative programs serving diverse populations.
Phish is a rock band that started in 1983 and grew to become one of the highest-grossing live acts in the nation. For more information about Phish, please visit phish.com and phish.net.
-30-
A nonprofit run by Phish fan volunteers has mailed $11,000 in unsolicited grants to help restore music education at schools affected by storm disasters in recent months. The grants are part of a package – including partner grants, matching grants, and corporate support – totaling $25,000 for eleven disaster-impacted music programs in seven states.
The nucleus for the package involves $1,000 each for Joplin High School and Irving Elementary School in Joplin, MO, which will balloon to $16,000 through matches of cash and credit. Music programs in Joplin were decimated May 22nd when the single most destructive tornado since 1947 killed 134 people and wiped out 30% of the town, including 7,000 homes, the hospital, the high school’s auditorium and music room, and all of Irving Elementary. Those two donations, from the Mockingbird Foundation, will be matched in three ways. First, the Mimi Fishman Foundation, with whom Mockingbird has partnered on several occasions, has already sent $2,000 to the Joplin Relief Fund, to be directed to the same two schools Mockingbird is supporting. Second, both the Mockingbird and Mimi Fishman donations will be doubled through generous local matching offers; the Mockingbird donation will be doubled by the Oasis Foundation, as will any donation you make during the month of September. Third, Jupiter Band Instruments will be matching that doubled amount with an additional $8,000 contribution to music programs in Joplin, MO, in the form of discounted instruments and equipment – as well as the possibility of demos and extra inventory, in addition to the credit match.
To boot, the Mockingbird Foundation has made nine additional grants of $1,000 each for the repair and/or replacement of instruments, equipment, sheet music, and related materials at additional schools affected by recent disasters:
- North Ridgeville Middle School in Ridgeville, OH, where the worst damage from flooding February 28th hit the music room, destroying instruments.
- Tushka Elementary School in Tushka, OK, where a twister April 14th destroyed all of the schools in town, including the elementary school’s keyboarding program.
- Page Middle School in Gloucester, VA, which lost instruments when the band room was destroyed by an April 16th tornado that also destroyed homes and killed three residents.
- Alberta Elementary School and University Place Elementary School in Tuscaloosa, AL, destroyed by tornados April 27th
- Ringgold High School in Ringgold, GA, where an April 27th tornado destroyed the high school, whose band equipment is not covered by insurance.
- Tiger Creek Elementary School in Tunnel Hill, GA, where, after state cuts for the arts, the music program had been run by volunteers organized by former principal and 86-year-old Marine Rhea McClanahan, who was killed when his house, like much of Tiger Creek, was destroyed in the April 27th storms.
- Additionally, the Foundation is working to identify two music programs in Vermont that were impacted last week by Hurricane Irene. (It takes some time to assess damages and identify needs; so far, the music programs at all schools contacted have survived unscathed.)
The Mockingbird grants come from an Emergency Fund created in May 2006, whereby 3% of the Foundation’s gross revenues are designated for music education programs affected by disasters. “While disaster relief generally is outside our primary mission,” explained Executive Director Ellis Godard, “we can provide some immediate assistance towards restoring music programs. And we know that music, and education generally, can help provide the hope and relief which are particularly valuable at times such as this.”
Though smaller than the Foundation’s competitive grants maximum ($5,000) and far from sufficient to resolve the problems they target, these “emergency grants” are intended to help bring attention to their recipients’ unique needs and to remind potential donors about the importance of music education in the lives of underage disaster victims. “The children affected by these disasters need music now more than ever,” added Mockingbird President Marco Walsh. “We look forward to students in each of these communities learning and playing music again, as soon as possible.”
The Mockingbird Foundation, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 by fans of the band Phish to raise funds for music education. With no salaries, staff, office, or endowment, it exists almost exclusively online, using the Internet for publicity, fundraising, all internal communications, and even to develop, produce, and distribute intellectual property. The Foundation is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, having cultivated intellectual property through www.phish.net since 1994. The Foundation is able to disburse more than 98% of the funds raised to important and innovative programs serving diverse populations. The Foundation’s two-tiered application process (which does not include emergency grants) remains one of the most competitive in the nation, due to high demand and because of the niches it serves. Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation through the Foundation’s website at www.mbird.org.
Phish is a rock band that started in 1983 and grew to become one of the highest-grossing live acts in the nation. The band donates a portion of proceeds from digital download sales at LivePhish.com to the Mockingbird Foundation, but has no formal or informal role in the Foundation’s management or operations. Phish will perform a special show on September 14th benefitting Vermont victims of Irene, through the Waterwheel Foundation and the Vermont Community Foundation. For more information about Phish, please visit phish.net and phish.com.
#33#
The Mockingbird Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded by Phish fans, has announced six new grants, totaling $26,300, supporting music education for children. The grants come from the Mockingbird Foundation’s 14th round of competitive grant-making, coincide with the 14th anniversary of the Foundation’s incorporation, and bring the total Mockingbird disbursements to nearly $650,000.
These newest grants support programs at two schools and four non-profit organizations, in six states (including the first Mockingbird grant in West Virginia):
- $4,000 for instrument purchases at Mae Eanes Middle School‘s Band Program (Mobile, AL)
- $2,500 for scholarships at The Symphony Women’s Association‘s First Music Lessons for Underserved Children (Tuscon, AZ), to support weekly classes on songwriting and improvisation
- $5,000 for scholarships at Bay Area Girls Rock‘s Girls Rock Summer Camp and Girls Rock After School Program (Oakland, CA)
- $5,000 for staffing at The Swope Music Program of Swope Corridor Renaissance/Upper Room, Inc. (Kansas City, MO)
- $5,000 for staffing at the Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School‘s Beats Music Program (Brooklyn, NY)
- $4,800 for materials and supplies for Step by Step, Inc.’s Rock Camp 4 Girls Appalachia (Charleston, WV)
The Mockingbird Foundation, run entirely by volunteers, supports music education for children by fundraising through Phish-related projects. The Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was organized by Phish fans in 1996, formally incorporated in 1997, and has since then distributed over $648,000 through 198 grants in 43 states.
The Foundation is also the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, having cultivated intellectual property through www.phish.net since 1994. The Foundation is able to disburse more than 98% of the funds raised to important and innovative programs serving diverse populations. Due to high demand, the Foundation’s two-tiered application process remains one of the most competitive in the nation. Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation through the Foundation’s website at www.mbird.org.
Phish is a rock band that started in 1983 and grew to become one of the highest-grossing live acts in the nation. For more information about Phish, please visit phish.net and phish.com
The Mockingbird Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded by Phish fans, has made unsolicited donations to four nonprofit music and arts programs in Worcester, Massachusetts; New York, New York; and Burlington, Vermont. The donations were made in anticipation of Phish’s five-show “New Year’s Run,” which begins with two shows at the DCU Center on December 27 and 28 in Worcester, MA, followed by three sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York city on December 30 and 31, and January 1.
A donation of $1000 was made to The Joy of Music Program in Worcester, MA, which strives to “giv[e] children a joyful and solid foundation for life-long musical growth.” Donations of $500 apiece were made to two organizations in New York that are previous grant recipients of The Mockingbird Foundation’s highly competitive grant application process: the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, which teaches music, dance and acting classes to children in Harlem, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx and elsewhere; and the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, whose mission is to “empower[] girls and women through music education, volunteerism, and activities that foster self-respect, leadership skills, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.” In addition, a donation of $1000 was made to the Seven Below Arts Initiative, founded by Phish’s guitarist Trey Anastasio “to foster artistic development and to support arts education in the state of Vermont.” This donation by the Foundation is in honor and in memory of Trey Anastasio’s sister, Kristy Manning, who helped found and lead the Seven Below Arts Initiative.
The Mockingbird Foundation, run entirely by volunteers, donates to music education programs in communities touched by Phish tours in order to inspire support for music and arts education and to generate positive press coverage. Music and arts programs positively impact the lives of children and all of us, and it was in this spirit that the Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was organized by Phish fans in 1996. To date, the Foundation has distributed approximately $619,000 in 42 states.
The Foundation is also the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, having cultivated intellectual property through www.phish.net since 1994. The Foundation is able to disburse more than 98% of the funds raised to important and innovative programs serving diverse populations. Due to high demand, the Foundation’s two-tiered application process remains one of the most competitive in the nation. Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation through the Foundation’s website at www.mbird.org.
Phish is a rock band that started in 1983 and grew to become one of the highest-grossing live acts in the nation. For more information about Phish, please visit phish.net and phish.com.
The Press of Atlantic City wrote an article about the Foundation’s recent tour grant to ACHS, though mis-attributed it to the band rather than our fan-managed effort:
Rock group Phish donates $1,000 to music program at ACHS
Posted: Friday, October 29, 2010 10:30 pm | Updated: 6:24 pm, Tue Nov 2, 2010.
The Mockingbird Foundation, a nonprofit group organized by fans of the band Phish, announced Friday that it has donated $1,000 toward music education programs at Atlantic City High School.
The group wrote in a statement that a check was sent to the school as part of an effort by fans to support communities touched by Phish tours and to encourage support for music education. Phish is performing this weekend at Boardwalk Hall. Additional funds also will be raised during the Phamily Poker Classic charity tournament this weekend at Tropicana Casino and Resort.
The Mockingbird Foundation has donated $616,000 to organizations in 42 states since its founding in 1996, the group’s website states.
“The Foundation is pleased to support Atlantic City High School’s music department and hopes to inspire others to support it and the students at ACHS as well,” Mockingbird board member and tournament co-organizer Charlie Dirksen said in a statement.
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (October 27, 2010) – Today, a group of Phish fans mailed an unsolicited check for $1,000 to the Atlantic City High School to support its music education programs. The check is sent in connection with Phish’s upcoming three-night run at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, and is part of a concerted effort by fans to support communities touched by Phish tours, to encourage support for music education, and to help generate that support in press surrounding Phish shows.
The grants come under the auspices of the Mockingbird Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organized by Phish fans in 1996. With this grant, the Foundation has distributed a total of $616,000 in 42 states. Additional funds will be raised at the Phamily Poker Classic, a sold-out charity tournament being held Saturday and Sunday at the Tropicana.
According to Mockingbird board member and tournament co-organizer Charlie Dirksen, “The recipient of these funds shares the Foundation’s commitment to music education. The Foundation is pleased to support Atlantic City High School’s music department and hopes to inspire others to support it and the students at ACHS as well”
The Mockingbird Foundation is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, both in print and online, having cultivated intellectual property through www.phish.net since 1994. The Foundation leverages that content, through partners and products, to fund music education for children. Operated entirely by volunteers, with no paid staff, salaries, or office, the Foundation is able to disburse more than 98% of the funds raised to important and innovative programs serving diverse populations. Due to high demand, the Foundation’s two-tiered application process remains one of the most competitive in the nation. Please consider making a donation through the Foundation’s website at http://www.mbird.org.
Phish is a rock band that started in 1983 and grew to become one of the highest-grossing live acts in the nation. Their fall tour ends this weekend with a three-night run in Atlantic City. For more information about Phish, please visit http://www.phish.com.
For Further Information:
Charlie Dirksen
cdirksen@gmail.com
#33#
The Broomfield Enterprise has reported on the Foundation’s tour grants related to the upcoming Broomfield shows:
Phish fans give $2K to local schools
Enterprise staff / Posted: 10/14/2010 12:00:00 AM MDTIn advance of three sold-out Phish shows at Broomfield`s 1stBank Center Sunday through Tuesday, the Mockingbird Foundation, a nonprofit founded by fans of the band, on Saturday mailed checks totaling $2,000 to three area schools to fund music education programs.
Bal Swan Children`s Center and the Broomfield-area music teacher`s instrument drive each which received $500. A $1,000 grant was given to Gold Hill Elementary to coincide with the Four Mile Fire Revival benefit concert at 1st Bank Center on Saturday night. The grants are part of an effort by The Mockingbird Foundation to support communities touched by Phish tours, to encourage support for music education and to help generate support in press surrounding Phish shows, according to a news release.
“The recipients of these funds share an understanding of the magic and wonder of music, as well as a commitment to convey that understanding to children. The foundation is pleased to be able to support them, and hope to inspire others to support them as well,” Broomfield resident and Mockingbird Foundation director Marcie Vogel Frahm stated in the news release.
The Mockingbird Foundation is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music. Operated entirely by volunteers since incorporation in1996, the foundation has no paid staff, salaries or office, disbursing almost all of the money it raises in support of music education programs.
For more information or to donate to the foundation, go to mbird.org.
BROOMFIELD (October 9, 2010) – Today, The Mockingbird Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by fans of the band Phish, mailed unsolicited checks totaling $2,000 to three area schools to fund music education programs in connection with the start of Phish’s fall tour Sunday at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield. The recipients are the Bal Swan Children’s Center and the Broomfield-area Music Teacher’s instrument drive, each which received $500. A special $1000 grant was given to Gold Hill Elementary to coincide with the Four Mile Fire Revival Benefit concert taking place tonight at 1st Bank Center.
The grants are part of a concerted effort by The Mockingbird Foundation to support communities touched by Phish tours, to encourage support for music education, and to help generate that support in press surrounding Phish shows.
With these grants, the Mockingbird Foundation has distributed a total of $615,000 in 42 states.
According to Broomfield resident and Mockingbird Foundation Director Marcie Vogel Frahm: “The recipients of these funds share an understanding of the magic and wonder of music, as well as a commitment to convey that understanding to children. The Foundation is pleased to be able to support them, and hope to inspire others to support them as well.”
The Mockingbird Foundation is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, both in print and online, having cultivated intellectual property through www.phish.net since 1994. The Foundation leverages that content, through partners and products, to fund music education for children. Operated entirely by volunteers, with no paid staff, salaries, or office, the Foundation is able to disburse more than 98% of the funds raised to important and innovative programs serving diverse populations. Due to high demand, the Foundation’s two-tiered application process remains one of the most competitive in the nation. Please consider making a donation through the Foundation’s website at http://www.mbird.org.
Phish is a rock band that started in 1983 and grew to become one of the highest-grossing live acts in the nation and are now engaged in a fall tour that includes three performances at 1stBank Center in Broomfield this weekend and 12 other shows nationwide. For more information about Phish, please visit http://www.phish.com.
For Further Information:
Marcie Vogel Frahm
marcievogelfrahm@gmail.com
303.717.4843
#33#
Today, a group of Phish fans mailed an unsolicited $1,000 check to three music education programs in the area immediately surrounding the Empire Polo Grounds, site of Festival 8: the Coachella Valley High School Band, the Cahuilla Desert Academy (middle school) Advanced Band, and the Westside (Elementary) School After-School Music Program.
The recipients, chosen based on their proximity to the venue, share several things, notes Executive Director Ellis Godard: "proximity to the tour, an understanding of the magic and wonder of music, a commitment to convey that understanding to children, and the earnest need for your support."
Distributed by the all-volunteer Mockingbird Foundation, the $3,000 in grants are part of a concerted effort to support communities touched by Phish tours, to encourage support for music education, and to help generate that support in press surrounding Phish shows. With these grants, the Mockingbird Foundation has distributed a total of $612,750.40, through 194 grants, in 42 states.
The Mockingbird Foundation is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, both in print and online. It fundraises through books, innovative recordings, creative donation premiums, special events, and the Phish.net website. Operated entirely by volunteers since incorporation in 1996, the foundation has no paid staff, salaries, or office, and disburses more than 99% of funds raised to charity.
Funds solely support music education for children. Most are distributed through a two-tiered application process intended to add critical support for important and innovative programs serving diverse populations. Currently, only about 1% of the thousands of inquiries received each year can be funded. Please consider helping raise that percentage!
Phish is a rock band that started in 1983 and grew to become one of the highest-grossing live acts in the nation before performing a “final show” August 15, 2004. They returned last March, and are preparing to embark on a fall tour, after Indio, leading into December. For more information about Phish, please visit http://www.phish.com.
Phish is bringing music to 19 cities this summer, and so are their fans!
Today, a group of Phish fans mailed an unsolicited $1,000 check to a music education program in each of the cities included on Phish’s Summer 2009 tour.
Distributed by the all-volunteer Mockingbird Foundation, the $19,000 in grants are part of a concerted effort to support communities touched by Phish tours, to encourage support for music education, and to help generate that support in press surrounding Phish shows.
With these grants, the Mockingbird Foundation has distributed a total of $609,750.40, through 191 grants, in 42 states. Reflecting the organization’s mission and history of diverse funding, the newest recipients vary not only in locale (see map) but in size, host, age, genre, and more.
“The recipients also share several things,” notes Executive Director Ellis Godard: “proximity to the tour, an understanding of the magic and wonder of music, a commitment to convey that understanding to children, and the earnest need for your support.” In order of tour date, they are:
The Mockingbird Foundation is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, both in print and online. It fundraises through books, innovative recordings, creative donation premiums, special events, and the Phish.net website. Operated entirely by volunteers since incorporation in 1996, the foundation has no paid staff, salaries, or office, and disburses more than 99% of funds raised to charity.
Funds solely support music education for children. Most are distributed through a two-tiered application process intended to add critical support for important and innovative programs serving diverse populations. Currently, only about 1% of the thousands of inquiries received each year can be funded. Please consider helping raise that percentage!
Phish is a rock band that started in 1983 and grew to become one of the highest-grossing live acts in the nation before performing a “final show” August 15, 2004. They returned last March, and are now engaged in a summer tour that includes two performances at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and 25 other shows nationwide. For more information about Phish, please visit http://www.phish.com.
