February 23, 2022 I Philanthropy
D’Addario Foundation Launches Bridge Fund
The D’Addario Foundation has launched the Bridge Fund, an initiative focused specifically on bridging the gap between access to music education and the Black community.
For more than 40 years, the D’Addario Foundation has worked to overcome the decimation of music education in U.S. schools by supporting community music programs that not only restore access to music education by breaking down all barriers to entry, but nurture youth development, mentorship and leadership.
Looking at the landscape of music education funding over the past 25 years, the D’Addario Foundation has seen that budget cuts disproportionately impact school districts that serve students of color, immigrant students and low-income communities.
“The damaging consequences of COVID-19 have only exacerbated the need to address the enormous gap in educational resources and opportunities,” said Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, the D’Addario Foundation’s executive director. “We honor the values and needs of communities by launching the Bridge Fund that very intentionally identifies and supports innovative, immersive and accessible music programs in Black communities. In particular, we seek programs that take place after-school and are available multiple days per week — elements that very clearly contribute to higher levels of engagement and academic achievement as an actionable solution to bridging this gap and giving every student a chance to reach their highest potential.”
Programs supported through this fund include the Sphinx Performance Academy in Detroit, Cleveland Institute of Music’s Musical Pathway Fellowship in Cleveland, Buffalo String Works in Buffalo, New York, Atlanta Music Project in Atlanta, HARPS Foundation in Richmond, Virginia, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Nouveau Program in Cincinnati, Project STEP in Boston, The Roots of Music in New Orleans, Soulsville Foundation’s Stax Music Academy in Memphis and West Point School of Music in Chicago.
