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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-561-E-Arts Commission-Musical Empowerment-Musical Empowerments Music Mentorship and Instruments LendinGRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM / ARTIST PROJECT GRANT 2024-25 Grantee Name Authorizing Official Name Email Project Title Award Grant Category ☐Grassroots Arts Program ☐Artist Project Grant Program Funding Source ☐North Carolina Arts Council ☐Orange County Grant project period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 As Authorizing Official, I acknowledge the following terms and understand if they are not met, I jeopardize future funding opportunities from the Orange County Arts Commission. I understand a Compliance Score is issued for future grants based on my adherence to the following terms: OCAC Report Due Monday, July 14, 2025 Multicultural Spending Grantee must spend $ on the hiring of multicultural artists as specified in the grant application. Crediting and logo usage All grantees must properly credit the Orange County Arts Commission using the proper logo on all publicity materials for the funded program. Recipients of operations-related grants must include the OCAC logo with link to www.artsorange.org on grantee’s website. If funding source is listed as N.C. Arts Council above, grantee must also properly credit the N.C. Arts Council using the proper logos and N.C. Arts Council credit line on all publicity materials for funded program. Download logos on the OCAC website at https://artsorange.org/grants/grantee-resources. Calendar Listing Grantee must enter all events, exhibits, and performances open to the public and related to this grant award on the Orange County Arts Commission website at www.artsorange.org/events. Musical Empowerment Katie Battle, Executive Director katie@musical-empowerment.org Musical Empowerments Music Mentorship and Instruments Lending Programs $3,750.00 4 4 4 2,877.00 Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 1 Revised August 2022 ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION 2024-25 GRANT AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, entered into this 6 day of September, 2024, by and between Orange County ("County"), by and through the Orange County Arts Commission ("Arts Commission") and ("Grant Recipient"). WHEREAS, the Arts Commission is a countywide arts agency that ensures the growth of local arts experiences by providing funding and support for diverse high quality programs and projects. WHEREAS, the Arts Commission administers the annual Grants Program to provide economic opportunities to Orange County artists and non-profit organizations coordinating arts projects benefiting the citizens of Orange County. WHEREAS, the annual Arts Grants Program is supported by Arts Commission with funds from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, a state agency. WHEREAS, the Grant Recipient was selected by the Arts Commission to receive the annual Arts Grant through the procedures duly adopted by the Arts Commission; and WHEREAS, both parties wish to promote and maintain the integrity and clarity of the Grant Recipient's ideas and statements and delineate the Grant Recipient’s obligations to the County; NOW, THEREFORE, the County and the Grant Recipient, for the consideration and under the conditions hereinafter set forth, agree as follows: 1.Approved Grant Project. Grant funds are provided under this Agreement for the project (“Project”) described in the Grant Recipient’s Grant Application, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A. 2.Grant Award. Grant funds in an amount not to exceed ($ ) have been awarded by the Arts Commission to the Grant Recipient for the approved Project. The Recipient shall be required to match funds at least dollar-for-dollar with cash from the Grant Recipient’s funds not derived from either Orange County appropriations or the North Carolina Arts Council, as outlined in the attached Exhibit A. 3.Contingency. This grant is contingent on North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Program funding to the Arts Commission. Final decisions on Grassroots Program funds to the North Carolina Arts Council are subject to approval by the North Carolina General Assembly. 4.Responsibilities of the Grant Recipient Musical Empowerment three thousand seven hundred fifty dollars 3,750.00 Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 2 Revised August 2022 A.Implementation. The Project implementation shall take place between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. The Project shall be implemented in the manner described in Exhibit A. Time is of the essence in the implementation of the Project. B.Modifications to project. Grant Recipient shall present major changes to the original proposal, including but not limited to changes in design, implementation schedule and increase in Project budget by more than 10%, in writing to the Arts Commission for approval. Arts Commission shall approve or disapprove Grant Recipient’s request for modifications within seven (7) days of receipt thereof. Consent to project modifications shall not be unreasonably withheld. Arts Commission’s decisions shall be in writing. In the event the Arts Commission fails to approve or disapprove the requested modifications within the time stated herein, the modifications shall be deemed approved. C.Non–assignment. The grant cannot be assigned or transferred to a different project or artist without prior written approval of the Arts Commission. D.Records. Grant Recipient must maintain records and other evidence pertaining to costs incurred and revenues acquired during the Project implementation. Grant Recipient shall maintain financial records pertaining to the Project for three (3) years from the date of this Agreement, in case of audit. E.Use of Funds. Grant Recipient shall not use the grant funds to repay outstanding taxes or other debts of any nature. The grants shall be utilized solely for the purpose described in the attached Exhibit A. F.Final Report. Grant Recipient shall submit to the Arts Commission a Final Report on July 14, 2025. The Final Report shall be in the format required by the North Carolina Arts Council. Failure to submit the Final Report or late submission of the Final Report, for any reason, shall be grounds for denial and/or cancellation of grant funds for the Project and future grant proposals. 5.Responsibilities of the Arts Commission A.Payment. The Arts Commission shall release the grant funds in the amount of $ to the Grant Recipient. 6.Publicity A.Acknowledgement. Credit must be given to the Orange County Arts Commission and/or the North Carolina Arts Council using the proper logo(s) and credit line in brochures, news releases, programs, and all other printed and online publications. Copies of such printed materials must accompany the evaluation report. Official Orange County Arts Commission and North Carolina Arts Council logos may be downloaded at www.artsorange.org/grantee-resources and may not be altered in any way. When no printed information is used, verbal 3,750.00 Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 3 Revised August 2022 credit shall be given. In addition, all print and promotional material must include the following credit line and logo(s) (check all that apply): i.County Funds Only. Orange County Arts Commission logo required. Credit line required for audio projects: “This program is supported by the Orange County Arts Commission.” ii.North Carolina Arts Council Funding. The Orange County Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council logos are required. Credit line: “This program is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.” B.The Grant Recipient must enter all events, exhibits, and performances open to the public and related to this grant award on the Orange County Arts Commission website at www.artsorange.org/events. In addition, the Grant Recipient must add a link to www.artsorange.org (Orange County Arts Commission logo preferred) to their main webpage. 7.Indemnity. The Grant Recipient agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County, the Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council and their officers and employees from any and all claims or actual injury, damage or loss to a person, or real or personal property that results from or is in any way connected to the use of the grant funds. 8.Independent Contractor. The Grant Recipient is an independent contractor and not an employee, agent or other representative of the County and/or the Arts Commission. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create the relationship of principal and agent, or employer and employee, between Grant Recipient and Arts Commission or Orange County Government. Grant Recipient understands and agrees that he/she is not authorized to incur any expenses or any liability whatsoever on behalf of the County or the Arts Commission and has no authority, expressed or implied, to obligate or make representations on behalf of the County or the Arts Commission. In addition, Grant Recipient agrees to maintain his or her own worker's compensation insurance for himself/herself and his or her employees for the duration of the art work's installation. 9.Termination A.In the event of any of the circumstances set forth below (hereinafter referred to as “default”), the Arts Commission may immediately terminate this Agreement: (i)Any fraudulent representation in any verification required to obtain payment under this Agreement or other dishonesty on a material matter relating to the performance of services under this Agreement. (ii)Nonperformance, incomplete service or performance, or failure to satisfactorily perform any part of the Project or to comply with any provision of this Agreement, as determined by the Arts Commission in its sole discretion. 4 4 Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 4 Revised August 2022 (iii)Failure to adhere to the terms of applicable county, state or federal laws, regulations, or stated public policy. B.In the event of default by the Grant Recipient, the Arts Commission has the discretion to elect to terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part and/or require the Grant Recipient to repay the grant funds within seven (7) from written notice of default or allow the grant recipient the opportunity to cure the default. This clause shall not be interpreted to limit the County’s or the Arts Commission’s remedies in law or in equity. 10.Miscellaneous. A.Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the attachments contain the final and entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. All modifications and amendments to this Agreement shall be in writing. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties, their heirs, successors and assigns. B.Governing Law. Governing Law and Priority: Both parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina and Orange County. Grant Recipient shall at all times remain in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations including but not limited to all state and federal anti-discrimination laws, policies, rules, and regulations and the Orange County Non-Discrimination Policy and Orange County Living Wage Policy (each policy is incorporated herein by reference and may be viewed at http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/purchasing_division/contracts.php.). Any violation of this requirement is a breach of this Agreement and Arts Commission may immediately terminate this Agreement without further obligation on the part of the Arts Commission. This paragraph is not intended to limit and does not limit the definition of breach to discrimination. By executing this Agreement the Grant Recipient certifies that they has not been identified, and has not utilized the services of any agent or subcontractor identified, on the list created by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-86.58. By executing this Agreement the Grant Recipient certifies that they has not been identified, and has not utilized the services of any agent or subcontractor identified, on the list created by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-86.81. By executing this Agreement Grant Recipient affirms they are and shall remain in compliance with Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the North Carolina General Statutes. In determining the basic services to be provided, should any documents be referenced in or attached to this Agreement, the terms herein shall have priority in any conflict between the terms of referenced documents and the terms of this Agreement. C.Dispute Resolution: Neither party may initiate binding arbitration. Any disputes shall be resolved by nonbinding mediation. If such mediation fails either party may initiate litigation to resolve the dispute. Should either party initiate litigation to settle any dispute involving the terms of this Agreement such litigation shall be Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 5 Revised August 2022 initiated in the General Court of Justice of North Carolina seated in Orange County, North Carolina. D.Signatures. This Agreement together with any amendments or modifications may be executed electronically. All electronic signatures affixed hereto evidence the intent of the Parties to comply with Article 11A and Article 40 of North Carolina General Statute Chapter 66. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Orange County and the Grant Recipient have signed this Grant Agreement, effective on the last date this Agreement is signed by both parties as indicated by the dates set forth under signatures below. For and on behalf of the Grant Recipient Date For and on behalf of Orange County Government Travis Myren, County Manager Date Katie Battle, Executive Director Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 9/20/2024 9/23/2024 Revised 01/24 1 ORANGE COUNTY—INTERNAL USE ONLY ______________________________________________________________________________ Finance Information Vendor Name: Musical Empowerment Vendor Contact Person: Katie Battle Phone: 510-330-8453 Address: 117 W Main St, B2 City Chapel Hill State: NC Zip: 27516 Department: Manager’s Office/Arts Commission Amount: $ 3,750.00 Purpose: 2024-25 Arts Grants Budget Code(s): 37290050-630000 . 37601020-683000 Vendor # 65222 Vendor Status with NCSOS: Vendor is a BOCC consultant: Yes No Contract Details Contract Type: New Amendment (Original Contract: ) (Most Recent Amendment ) Effective Date End Date Notice Date (Notice Purpose ) Award Approved by Board (Agenda Date: ); Made or Administered by Signature Authority - BOCC Express Delegation (Agenda Date: ) - Policy 9.4: Under $5,000; Service Under $90,000; Construction Under $250,000 - Budget Policy Section XV (Capital Improvement Project: ) Bidding Informal Bidding ($30k-$90k); Formal RFP ($90k+); Other (<$30k); Exception(# ) Department Affirmation This agreement is approved as to technical form and content and I as Department Director affirmatively state work on this project has not been initiated prior to execution of the agreement. This agreement is approved as to technical form and content. Services related to this agreement have already begun or been completed. Description of the nature of the emergency condition that was addressed: Department Director’s Signature ________________________________________ Date: ________ Information Technologies This agreement has been reviewed and is approved as to information technology content and specifications: Office of the Chief Information Officer___________________________________ Date: ________ Inapplicable because no hardware/software purchases or related services Risk Management This agreement is approved for sufficiency of insurance standards, specifications, and requirements: Office of the Risk Management Officer___________________________________ Date: _________ Financial Services This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act: Office of the Chief Financial Officer ____________________________________ Date: _________ Legal Services This agreement is approved as to legal form and sufficiency: Office of the County Attorney __________________________________________Date: ________ Clerk to the Board All Docusign contracts must be copied to the Clerk upon completion: occlerkdocs@orangecountync.gov The following signature block is for hard copies only and is not required for Docusign contracts: Received for record retention: Office of the Clerk to the Board __________________________________________Date:_________ Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 9/20/2024 9/23/2024 9/23/2024 9/23/2024 Orange County Arts Commission Powered by Submittable Title Musi cal Empowerment by Executiv e Director in 2024-25 Grassroots Arts Program Grant Application 117 W. Main Street, Suite B2 Carrboro, North Carolina 27510 North Carolina United States 9193063449 admin@musical-empowerment.org 06/26/2024 id. 46861924 Original Submission 06/26/2024 Score n/a APPLICANT INFORMATION Please tell us about your organization. Applicant Organization Name Musical Empowerment Is the Applicant Organization serving as a fiscal agent for an unincorporated group? No Mailing Address of Organization 117 W Main St, B2 B2 Carborro NC 27510-2025 AE How did you hear about our grant program? OCAC Enews Did you or a representative of your orgnanization attend one of our grants training sessions? No Nature of Organization Arts Organization Organization Musical Empowerment (ME) is an innovative and growing 501 (c) (3) Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 Description nonprofit based in Carrboro, North Carolina. W e provide free, one-on-one music lessons, instruments, and mentoring to over 200 children across North Carolina who would not otherwise be able to afford private music lessons. Children enrolled in the program are paired with college students who volunteer to teach them weekly. Music is a common thread that unites us all and knows no boundaries or borders. It is a language that all cultures share, and it manages to transcend cultural conflict. Music builds self- confidence and self-value, and ME creates a space in which people from diverse backgrounds can help and learn from each other. Musical Empowerment aims to serve local under-served youth in terms of opportunities, while allowing college students to give back to the community in a personal and engaging way. The one-to-one mentoring relationships our students and teachers develop through music are mutually beneficial. Kids learn how to play an instrument, read music, and perform, through which they learn the value of becoming a contributing member of their local community and develop discipline, responsibility, patience and confidence. College student teachers learn how to develop and follow a curriculum for effective music lessons, how to communicate with children and parents, how to be encouraging and supportive mentors, how to actively enable their students to succeed, and the importance of volunteering in the local community. Musical Empowerment is mutual empowerment. ME is administered by two paid staff members, an Executive Director and Development Coordinator, headquartered at Youth W orx on Main in Carrboro, North Carolina. The staff oversees the vision and growth of the organization, supports and guides chapter leaders, establishes policies and procedures to ensure safe and effective implementation of the programs, evaluates programs effectiveness, develops trainings, resources and curriculum for ME teachers, seeks new chapters and opportunities for growth, and fundraises for the organization. Further, our National Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, including professional private music teachers, and business people, offer guidance to the Executive Director and Development Coordinator. Each chapter at UNC-CH, NC State, W ake Forest University, East Carolina University, and North Carolina Central University is led by a core leadership team of undergraduate student volunteers who run the day-to- day operations of ME. The student leaders receive support and mentoring from ME staff. The chapter boards consist of university faculty, professional music teachers, parents of children taking Musical Empowerment lessons, and other community members. They act as liaisons to the local community and advisors to the team of undergraduates. W e currently serve 150 Chapel Hill-Carrboro K-12 children, and each has one mentor. A few mentors have more than one student, but our music lessons are always a one-to-one ratio. 82% of our students are from low- income families and/or qualify for free-and-reduced lunch. Our student demographics are: African American - 16%, Asian American - 7%, Caucasian - 13%, Hispanic/Latino - 39%, Multiracial - 4%. The remaining 21% chose not to identify. Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 How many Orange County residents does the organization serve? Musical Empowerment currently serves 150 students in Orange County North Carolina. W e are looking forward to this number growing in the coming school year 2024-2025 as our UNC-CH chapter has grown significantly year to year for the last two decades. Has your organization undergone any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training? If so, please explain. If not, please explain any barriers that have prevented you from receiving this training. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are interwoven in our mission and strategic plan. W e have initiated partnerships with The Equity Paradigm, The Refugee Support Network, and Racial Equity Institute to provide the following: document translations for Spanish and Karen (Burmese) speaking families, a community racial equity workshop, culturally responsive teaching seminars, board training and continuing education for staff. A free DEI library was created for use by the staff, board and community to check in-out books as needed. Since 2018 Musical Empowerment has been in a contract with The Equity Paradigm, a Black and woman-owned consulting firm from Durham, NC that specializes in racial equity training. The relationship with this firm began with an organizational assessment and has grown to include board training, community workshops, organizational Q&A sessions, and documentation audits to evaluate for inclusive language. In April of 2020, the board worked together to develop our own DEI pledge and incorporated DEI into our strategic plan with a commitment to continue growing and learning as an organization. **Musical Empowerment's DEI Pledge: Through music and mentorship, we at Musical Empowerment commit to engaging in a proactive dialogue regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. W e will embrace ongoing opportunities to listen, learn and grow in order to strengthen our anti-racist organization and work toward an equitable society.** In 2023, 66% of our children served were people of color (39% Hispanic, 16% Black, 16% Asian, 4% Multiracial). Also in 2023, 100% of our eight college chapters were led by at least one co-president who identified as people of color and 80% of our chapters were led by women and 51% of all leadership members identifying as POC. W e are proud to have a diverse board of directors and staff. In January 2023, Ayeza Nxumalo was elected as the first black woman board chair. Under her leadership, ME continues the commitment to learn and grow together. The ME Board of Directors Chair and 39% of the directors identify as people of color. The board is composed of 5 women and 3 men with ages varying from grad student to retiree. Diverse lived experiences of Musical Empowerment board members include: low income childhood, single parents, a refugee, first generation college graduates. 100% of our board members have a shared commitment to continuously improve diversity, equity and inclusion at Musical Empowerment. W e should also note that our two staff members are women who identify as black and bi- racial. Our other DEI efforts include: -Fall 2023 rollout of new M.U.S.I.C. curriculum booklets that feature culturally responsive content such as composers of color and music from around the world. Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 -DEI liaison one-pagers are created and distributed each fall to each chapter to outline the demographics of the chapter compared to the demographics of the community. -Sponsored training for students, mentors, and alumni for virtual Racial Equity offerings from The Equity Paradigm. -Free DEI library and resource bank that include books and resources for volunteers and families to access. During FY24-25, will your organization receive operational support funding from the North Carolina Arts Council or the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources? No Organization's EIN 454589282.0 Organization W ebsite https://musical-empowerment.org/ Authorizing Official's Name Katie Battle Authorizing Official's Title Executive Director Authorizing Official's Phone 5103308453 Authorizing Official's Email katie@musical-empowerment.org Applicant Race Black/African American Financial Overview FinancialOv erv iew_Submittable.xlsx Organizational Financial Statements 2022_Federal_Tax_Return_Documents_MUSICAL_EMPOW ERMENT_IN_-_signed_1.pdf Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 Deficit/Surplus Our organization operates on a calendar year basis, distinct from the fiscal year. Despite the challenges posed by the 2020 pandemic, we have maintained strong financial sustainability. In 2022, we allocated additional resources towards our three-part 20th Anniversary Event Series. W hile individual donations reached record levels, we experienced a significant decrease in grant funding compared to 2021. Below are Compared Funding Sources from 2019 - 2022 2019 2020 2021 2022 Corporate $1,400 1% $20,000 21% $0 $16,100 9% Grants $197,000 81% $21,000 22% $139,000 67% $26,700 16% Events $13,000 5% $4,000 4% $0 $17,948 11% Individuals $31,000 13% $35,000 36% $69,000 33% $105,812 62% Misc - chapter fees $1,600 1% $16,000 17% $0 $3,400 2% Total $244,000 $96,000 $208,000 $169,960 If the current or next year budget represents a 30% or more change from the year prior, please explain why. Are you an entity of UNC-Chapel Hill or another unit of state government? No PROJECT/PROGRAM INFORMATION Tell us about your project or program Title of Grant Request Musical Empowerments Music Mentorship and Instruments Lending Programs Grant Amount Requested 8000 Is the person in charge of this program or project different from the Authorizing Official? No W hat are you requesting funding for? Operational expense (arts organizations ONLY) Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 Request Summary W e are seeking operational support to help us maintain our two facets of programming, Music Mentorship & Instrument Lending Program (ILP). At Musical Empowerment our Music Mentorship Program involves the pairing of a low-income student with a collegiate mentor for one-on-one weekly music lessons throughout the duration of the academic school year. Our Instrument Lending Program (ILP) is offered for all students in the program to provide instruments and books at absolutely no cost to parents and students. Upon receiving the instrument, each child signs a contract that indicates that they will care for the instrument, commit to practice, and return the instrument if they choose to unenroll from the program. If the student takes three years of lessons, the instrument becomes his/hers to keep. This incentivizes practice, helps reinforce responsibility and provides ownership to students who would not otherwise afford musical instruments. Organizational Goals Can you imagine life without music—a powerful communicator, healer, and catalyst for social change? In North Carolina, where 25% of students live in poverty without access to music education, we are driven by the transformative potential of music. At Musical Empowerment, we provide free music lessons and mentorship to underserved children because every child deserves personalized music education and the life-changing benefits of mentor relationships. Studies show that low-income students engaged in the arts are five times more likely to graduate high school and twice as likely to graduate college. Music not only fosters social, emotional, and academic growth but also opens doors to greater opportunities later in life. Through music education, we aim to empower students and their mentors, nurturing their confidence and resilience. Our goal is to instill a lifelong appreciation for music in Musical Empowerment students, empowering them to graduate high school, pursue higher education, and become mentors themselves. Mentorship significantly enhances upward mobility and positive outcomes for children in underserved communities. According to mentor.org, youth with mentors are more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and give back as mentors later in life. The average cost per youth served by mentorship programs nationwide is $1,695 annually. In contrast, Musical Empowerment achieves these impactful results for less than half that amount, at $736 per student in 2023. W ith an $8,000 grant, we could extend our programs to eleven more students in Orange County, offering them the same life-changing opportunities through music education and mentorship. Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 How will you evaluate whether or not your goals have been met? Musical Empowerment measures success and effectiveness through quantitative data (number of children enrolled, survey results), qualitative data (testimonials), and patterns noted using our program software system (participation, retention). -Parents, students, and mentors complete evaluation surveys at the end of each semester. These evaluations track the child’s musical growth, progress of the mentor/mentee relationships, academic improvement, self confidence, and communication skills, among others. -Testimonials reflect the anecdotal experiences from all parties involved and help troubleshoot and/or highlight methods others can adopt. The responses help to track student progress over time and inform changes to the curriculum and mentoring for future semesters. -A Historical Study was conducted in 2021 and showed that most participants reported a positive overall experience (students 100%, mentors 98%, parents 97%). Musical Empowerment has experience evaluating the impact of key funders in special projects and has frequently prepared timely impact reports for major partners, including The Kenan Charitable Trust Foundation, Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, the Oak Foundation, United W ay of the Greater Triangle, Triangle Community Foundation, and more. How do you promote and publicize the work of your organization? To ensure widespread attention and participation, we utilize two pillars of promotion, one to gain participation from school aged students and the other to recruit college mentors who become our teachers. To attract students, Musical Empowerment connects with local schools with underserved populations through our needs assessment. The needs assessment is conducted by the Musical Empowerment national office prior to initiating a new chapter, to ensure that the surrounding area truly has a need for free music lessons. Once the chapter is established, the chapters leadership team identifies a Publicity Chair who is responsible for connecting with nearby schools distributing information about Musical Empowerment through the school newsletters, or hosting informational sessions, to ensure maximum exposure to potential participants. Additionally, recruitment of teachers/mentors is done through campus club drives, leveraging student organizations to directly engage with individuals who may be interested in joining Musical Empowerment. Benefit concerts are also a tool we use to promote Musical Empowerment while partnering with local organizations that have invested in our cause. These events showcase participant talents, raise awareness, and attract media coverage, amplifying our message and expanding our reach within the community. By strategically combining these promotional efforts, we aim to maximize visibility, engagement, and ultimately, the impact of the project/program within the community. To ensure broad awareness and active participation, Musical Empowerment employs two primary strategies for promotion: one targeting school-aged students and another focused on recruiting college mentors who serve as instructors. Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 To attract students, we conduct a needs assessment in collaboration with local schools in underserved areas before establishing a new chapter. This assessment, led by the Musical Empowerment national office, ensures that there is genuine demand for free music lessons. Once a chapter is established, the leadership team appoints a Publicity Chair who coordinates outreach efforts through school newsletters, informational sessions, and other avenues to maximize exposure among potential participants. Each chapter, along with the national office has its own social media pages and utilizes these social media channels for ongoing promotion of activities and more. ME has a strong digital presence, which includes weekly social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube), a monthly newsletter, and a robust website. Simultaneously, recruitment of mentors is facilitated through campus club drives, leveraging student organizations to engage individuals interested in joining Musical Empowerment as mentors. In addition, benefit concerts serve as a powerful promotional tool, forging partnerships with local organizations invested in our mission. These events not only showcase participant talents but also raise awareness and attract media coverage, significantly amplifying our message and expanding our community outreach. By strategically combining these promotional initiatives, we aim to enhance visibility, foster engagement, and ultimately magnify the impact of our programs within the community. Please describe efforts by your organization to generate revenue. Musical Empowerment has diversified its funding sources since 2019 with the aim of establishing sustainable financial streams and implementing proactive strategic plans to achieve our goals by the end of 2024. - Individuals: W e are actively recruiting alumni (former college mentors) to become monthly donors, with a target of 100 alumni donors by the end of 2025. - Corporations: W e are forging partnerships with businesses in each community where our chapters operate—North Carolina, New York, and New Hampshire—with the goal of securing corporate support. Events can sometimes demand more resources (time and money) to plan and execute than the funds they generate. Therefore, we carefully select event opportunities to ensure they align with our financial and organizational priorities. Resumes of artists/administrators 2024_Staff_Bios_1.pdf Board of Directors List Board_of_Directors_2024_1.pdf IRS Tax Exemption 501c3_Verification_Letter_-_Musical_Empowerment_2.pdf W ork Samples Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766 Orange_County_Grant_2024_-_W ork_Samples.pdf Title of work Musical Empowerment Mentor and Student Lessons Artist's name UNC Chapel Hill students and mentors Year created 2023-2024 Video Sample: External Link 1 https://youtu.be/6W DHpEZc8B8 Video Sample: External Link 2 https://youtu.be/YiRqBvdbeaY Video Sample: External Link 3 https://youtu.be/6rj-ruN9CIY Letters of support (optional) Docusign Envelope ID: 59E2ECCA-0E2A-4C34-94C1-200D77851766