The Mockingbird Foundation is thrilled to announce the second $5,000 grant from its COVID-19 Emergency Relief program. The Heartbeat Music Project provides music education to Navajo (Diné) children K – 12 living on the Navajo reservation. The organization strives to create an atmosphere of cultural exchange in which they acknowledge the impact of past and present colonialism on indigenous people while respectfully engaging with Diné music, cultures and customs.

Due to the slowed economy and other issues related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, programs across the country may be cut significantly because of budget constraints, while they are also losing the fundraising revenue generated by live performances. While some programs will struggle to survive on their own, all are adjusting to new circumstances that few were completely prepared to face.

The Mockingbird Foundation is using Emergency Grant funds to help protect music education in these unprecedented times, beginning with $25,000. The Foundation will also match the first $25,000 in donations made by July 31st, to give at least $75,000 total to #ProtectMusicEd!

The Mockingbird Foundation is an all-volunteer, fan-founded and -managed 501c3 supporting music education for children. It is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, having cultivated intellectual property through phish.net since 1994. A leading grantmaker in music education for children, the Foundation has now made 452 grants in all 50 states, totaling more than $1.6M. Funds for grants are generated through donations from a loyal base of fans, as well as through books, recordings, artwork, merchandise, and special events. The Foundation has been operated entirely by volunteer fans of the band, without any salaries or paid staff, since its inception in 1996.

Original art by Josean Riviera.

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