The Mockingbird Foundation announced today that it has established a set-aside fund for music education emergencies. The Emergency Fund is drawn from three percent (3%) of the Foundation’s net proceeds and has provided two grants of $300 each to date. Recent additions to the Foundation’s proceeds, particularly initial net proceeds donated by Phish from LivePhish.com purchases, have expanded this fund and will allow additional emergency grants, if and when such needs arise.

The fund was established in February, without fanfare, due to the nature of the effort: Grants from the fund are made on the basis of nomination rather than application, and nominations are neither solicited nor accepted on any regular basis, but made at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Additionally, the need must be identified to the Board by someone not part of or affiliated with the entity in need, and the demonstrable total need must far exceed the maximum grant size in the Foundation’s competitive applications process ($5,000), although the emergency grant itself cannot exceed five hundred dollars.

“The purpose of these grants is not to resolve an emergency,” said Executive Director Ellis Godard. “The purpose is to make a small contribution as a means of bringing the need to the attention of tens of thousands of Foundation supporters, some of whom might then contribute – whether to our fund, directly to the group in need, or to other institutional donors.”

While the emergency addressed does not have to be catastrophic, the source of the need must be an act of nature (flood, fire, earthquake, tornado, etc.) or moral indignation (theft, vandalism, despotism, terrorism, or war). Greater attention will be given to emergencies which have already received press coverage, as one means of confirming the need, and so that the Foundation’s resources can add to existing momentum.

The vast majority of the Foundation’s funds are dispersed through a two-tiered competitive grants program. (Details may be found at www.mbird.org/funding.) Individuals aware of an organization that fits the Foundation’s general funding guidelines and which has recently been impacted by an emergency situation, should send details (including press coverage) to any of the Foundation’s email or postal addresses. Due to the volume of inquiries through its regular application process, the Foundation cannot guarantee a response to every inquiry.

The Mockingbird Foundation is a leading provider of historical information about the band Phish and its music. Founded in 1997, and operated entirely by volunteers, without any salaries or paid staff, the Foundation fundraises by celebrating the music of Phish, in support of music education for children. To date, the Foundation has disbursed more than forty grants totaling nearly $200,000.