Ways of Giving
Learn how you can help us narrow the achievement gap for at-promise youth throughout the DC metropolitan area.
Your Support Funds More Than Just Music Lessons
Tens of thousands of youth in our service area are being left behind because of the socioeconomic circumstances in which they live. Your donation enables us to replace their barriers to success with positive opportunities that put them on a path to achievement.
Music education is proven to build lifelong benefits, yet changing education priorities and strained budgets have made some essential educational opportunities less available to at-promise youth. Our music education programs fill that void.
Every donation, regardless of amount, helps fund:
- Our development of high-quality programs that help students attain essential competencies and experiences not available in their socioeconomic environment
- Our mentoring that helps students feel more connected to their school and community, better prepared for adulthood
- Our professional instructors that conduct our programs
- The equipment, tools, and teaching supplies that are used in our programs
Gifts You Can Pledge
Increase your impact with an automatic monthly donation or enrich a student with a one-time gift.
Monthly
One-Time
Ukulele Program Support
or
Sponsor the enhancement of music programming in Title I elementary schools by sponsoring ukulele lessons.
After-School Guitar Program
or
Sponsor participation in our free group guitar lessons, which foster a love for music while also bringing our community together.
Private Band Lessons
or
Sponsor weekly private lessons for an at-promise band or orchestra student — an enriching opportunity that most cannot afford.
Private Piano Lessons
or
Sponsor an at-promise student who excelled in our piano program introduction and is continuing with private lessons.
Piano Introductory Class
or
Sponsor an at-promise student in our six-week introductory piano class at their school, which opens opportunities for early music ed.
STEAM Guitar Program
or
Sponsor participation in our program that teaches STEM principals and practical technical skills by building your own guitar.
Special Thanks to Our Past Sponsors
Other Ways of Giving
Private Equipment Donations
Want to gift an instrument to a student who needs it?
Reach out to us to arrange a pickup for your instrument(s)!
Instruments and accessories must be in good working order. Please refrain from donating instruments with damaged or missing parts, and no pianos please.
Business Sponsorship
Are you a business that cares about supporting youth in your community?
As a class sponsor, your cash donation provides much-needed funding for a quality music class where at-promise youth can succeed at the same level as their more advantaged peers. Alternatively, in-kind sponsors are businesses who directly gift instruments and other equipment to students in our programs.
Planned Giving
Want to ensure that music and mentoring is accessible to those living in less fortunate circumstances for generations to come?
Planned giving to Music for Life is a means of “leaving a legacy” through a charitable gift that supports your community while maximizing tax and other financial benefits.
Ways of planned giving include leaving a gift in your will to Music for Life, gifting assets such as stocks and bonds, making us the beneficiary of your pension plan or IRA, and more!
Music for Life T-Shirts
Wear your support by purchasing a Music for Life T-Shirt! Prices listed include shipping and handling.
To order online: visit our PayPal Giving Fund page, enter the total amount of your purchase under donation amount, specify the quantities, styles and sizes you want under message/dedication, complete the rest of the form and submit.
To order by check: Make payable to “Music for Life” and send the message with the quantities, styles and sizes you want to:
Music for Life
PO Box 1141
Springfield, VA 22151
Donate Your Time and Join Our Programs
Can’t contribute financially but still want to make a difference in the lives of at-promise youth in our community? You can directly become a part of our mission by donating your time as a Music for Life volunteer. With a variety of volunteer positions available, you don’t have to be a musician to get involved — we need people to help run the program just as much as we need those who teach. Joining Music for Life means playing a vital role in our efforts to gift music lessons, mentoring, and opportunities to students who deserve more access to them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In what ways can I donate to Music for Life?
Network for Good is our primary donation platform, and we also support donations through PayPal and Crypto.
Should I make a monthly or one-time donation? What is the difference?
We recommend donating a small amount monthly as an easy way to increase your impact. This provides us with steady, reliable support so that we may reach more at-promise youth throughout the year. One-time donations are also greatly appreciated and help support immediate program needs and opportunities.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes! All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
How are my donations used?
93% of your donation goes toward our programs. It covers our expenses for instructors, equipment, and teaching supplies. 7% goes toward overhead. It covers accounting, fundraising, office supplies, and annual government registration fees to operate in Virginia, DC, Maryland.