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.
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