“Every kid should have access to the tools that will shape who they become as adults. I have no idea where I would be if I didn’t have instruments available at a young age.” -Zack Corothers
Powerful sentiment, no? The words above come straight from the bassist of the indie band Portugal. The Man, who’ve collectively chosen to partake in a newly introduced initiative to provide $1 million in musical instruments to school children. The band is making this a reality with the help of ticket reseller StubHub and footwear giant Doc Martens. A partnership with Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to music education, the goal of the program is to provide the equipment to schools across the country — primarily underfunded ones. The starting point was in Austin, Texas, where the project was announced during the annual South by Southwest music and film festival.
The StubHub Foundation has powered the initiative through their funding and major companies have become involved in the effort through donating instruments to schools. This couldn’t come at a better time. Music programs have been struggling to survive against the high cost of instruments, but now schools across the US — and their students — have hope.
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 17: Musician John Baldwin Gourley of Portugal. The Man performs onstage at the ‘Stubhub/Collide’ showcase during the 2015 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Clive Bar on March 17, 2015 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Waytao Shing/Getty Images for SXSW)
The coverage of the initiative captured Ken Sarno’s attention, after his wife, Susan, stumbled across the article and showed it to him. The mission behind Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation’s initiative resonated with Ken. In fact, it resonated with him so much that he was motivated to donate 10 electric guitars and 4 bass guitars from his personal collection. Several schools in Los Angeles are now better off for it, including one in Compton, and it won’t stop there.
HuffPo helped spread the word about TMHOF’s endeavor, further proving that storytelling matters. Now, the effort has the support of big businesses and individuals who’ve united to work toward making a difference. The story resonated with Ken and it has resonated with others who’ve decided to join a movement to bring the gift of music to children.
The lesson here? Tell your story, and tell it well. Those who are touched by it will be spurred to action.
In both Simple Development Systems: Successful Fundraising for the One-Person Shop, and my membership program, the focus is on creating a sustainable fundraising program by always keeping your donors front and center. We do it by sharing our stories – online, through email, and through direct mail – on a consistent basis. Join us every week for Power of Nonprofit Storytelling (Mondays), What’s in my Inbox (Tuesdays), and What’s in my Mailbox (Wednesdays).
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