I've been sort of watchdogging the STM Foundation for a couple of years and they have held true to their mission.I think it's an excellent choice for a recipient of the benefits.
PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS SITE:
http://upcoming.org/event/134830
STM MISSION:
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America’s public schools by restoring music programs in cities across the U.S., and raising public awareness about the importance of music participation for our nation’s youth.
Through local partnerships, VH1 Save The Music purchases new musical instruments to restore music education programs that have been cut due to budget reductions. The Foundation also conducts awareness campaigns, musical instrument drives, and fundraising events in conjunction with public schools to help restore instrumental music programs.
Since VH1 Save The Music was created in 1997, more than $25 million worth of musical instruments have been donated to 1,000 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 500,000 children. The Foundation’s ten-year plan is to bring music participation to one million children in public schools.
PROGRAM:
VH1 Save The Music is a separate, 501 C3 public charity that works to improve the current state of music education. The Foundation works to directly support only instrumental music programs and does not provide any money to the school or school district. Instead, the Foundation provides complete band, string, guitar, or keyboard programs to the benefiting school. It is our belief that by directly purchasing the instruments, our contribution will be used for its intended purpose and we are directly able to provide musical instruction to elementary school children. Ultimately, more than 90% of every dollar marked for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation finds its way into a child’s hand in the form of a musical instrument.
FACTS:
Kids who are involved in music programs score more than 100 points higher on the SAT’s than students who are not involved.
New research studies point out that children involved with active music participation demonstrate significant improvements in their spatial abilities, important for success in math and science.
Research shows that children involved in music programs have improved reading abilities, higher self-esteem and are less likely to be involved with gangs and drugs.
Only 25% of our nation’s eighth graders are able to participate in instrumental music according to the most recent national assessment. Access to these programs becomes even worse in our most urban and rural settings. The children who need these programs are the ones who have them the least.
PARTNERS:
The national partner organizations of VH1 Save The Music include the National School Boards Association, U.S. Department of Education, Chief State School Officers Association, MENC-The National Association for Music Education, NAMM-International Music Products Association, the American Music Conference, and America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth. The national sponsor of VH1 Save The Music is Subaru. Sheet music and method books are being provided through a generous grant from the ASCAP Foundation as part of their Music In Schools Program in conjunction with Warner Bros. Publications.
MAKE DONATIONS:
Checks may be made payable to:
VH1 Save The Music
1515 Broadway, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10036
2004 BENEFITING CITIES:
Baltimore,MD Birmingham,AL Boston,MA Chicago,IL Cincinnati,OH Compton,CA Denver,CO Greenville, SC Houston,TX Indianapolis,IN Las Vegas,NV Leavenworth,KS Little Rock,AR Los Angeles,CA Memphis,TN Milwaukee,WI Nashville,TN New Orleans,LA New York,NY Oakland,CA Oklahoma City,OK Palm Beach County,FL Philadelphia,PA Portland,OR Sacramento,CA San Antonio,TX San Diego,CA Santa Monica,CA St. Louis,MO Tulsa,OK Washington,DC
STM GEARING UP FOR 10th ANNIVERSARY
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is turning up the music and churning out the celebs with new public service announcements -- all in the name of music education -- in an effort to gear up for The Foundation's 10th Anniversary beginning in January 2007.
Beginning on Thursday, November 9 the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will premiere the first of its series of new public service announcements featuring Beyonce, John Legend, Jewel, Rob Thomas. Each PSA will feature one of these artists as they speak about the importance of music education. Additional PSAs featuring John Mayer and Ciara will roll-out in 2007.
In addition to new PSAs, The Foundation will close out its 9th year by hosting high-profile events and initiatives to raise awareness and funds for music education across the country including New York and Los Angeles.
For the fourth consecutive year, Esquire magazine has created the world's most lavish bachelor pad -- Esquire House 360 degrees. This 17,000 square-foot Italian villa in Beverly Hills was built to mirror the editorial range of Esquire magazine and to reflect the lifestyle of today's modern man.
On Friday, December 1, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will host an intimate cocktail party and concert fundraiser at Esquire House 360 degrees. The exclusive event will be hosted by Keifer Sutherland, Jaime Pressley, Wilmer Valderama, Tyrese Gibson, Omar Epps, Gary Dourdan, VH1 general manager Tom Calderone and Brain Graden, President, Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Group and will feature an intimate performance by Columbia recording artist Mat Kearney and Ironworks Recording Artists Rocco DeLuca and the Burden.
To expand Esquire House 360 degrees beyond Los Angeles, an online charity auction hosted by Esquire and benefiting VH1 Save The Music will give visitors to the house and the general public the chance to bid on guitars signed by musical artists including Nick Lachey, Bon Jovi, Rob Thomas, Shakira, The Dixie Chicks and many more. Online users can bid on their favorite items through December 5th.
VH1 Save The Music, along with Robertson Blvd. boutiques Agnes B, Anya Hindmarch, Adriano Goldshmeid, Camper, Chan Luu, Curve, Diavolina, Erica Courtney, George Smith, Kalologie Skincare, Horn, Kiehls, Kitson, Kitson Kids, Kitson Men, LF Stores, Lisa Klein, Lisa Klein Kids, Lisa Klein Men, M.A.C., Madison, Nanette Lepore, Paige Premium Denim, Poleci, Scott Hill LA, Sky, Ted Baker, Tory Burch, Vionnet, WESC, and Yellowman, will host the second annual "VH1 Big in '06 Shopping Day" in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 2 from 11:00 AM through 4:00 PM. Hosted by Cynthia Garrett, Courtney Jane Semel, Perez Hilton, Rebecca Bloom, Samaire Armstrong and Tova Bonem the event will be open to the public and will feature guest DJs and entertainment as well as activities, food a refreshments.
A percentage of the day's sales from each store will benefit VH1 Save The Music's work to restore instrumental music programs throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Beginning November 20, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation is teaming up with Gibson/Baldwin Music Education, Paramount, and Dreamworks for the "Own a Piece of the DREAM" online auction in conjunction with the premiere of the film "Dreamgirls" which stars Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy. Fans can bid on items from an "Ultimate Fan Package" where a winner and guest will be flown to New York City to attend the premiere of "Dreamgirls" to customized Gibson guitars signed by the cast of "Dreamgirls." Online users can bid on their favorite items through December 20th.
Since it was established in 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has donated $34 million worth of new musical instruments to 1,400 public schools in 80 cities, improving the lives of more than 800,000 children.
About to launch its tenth year, the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music education programs in cities across the U.S. and raising awareness of the importance of music participation for our nation's youth. VH1 Save The Music's many honors include the Governors' Award (a special Emmy Award), the George Foster Peabody Award for broadcast and cable excellence, and many Beacon Awards.
