The SMART Foundation was founded in 2000 as a charitable organization formed under non-profit corporation laws. The Foundation is dedicated to extending cultural, artistic and educational opportunities through school music programs. With an overall vision of "music education for all children," the SMART Foundation provides leadership for advocacy training for parent groups and is committed to raising funds that provide grants for local school music programs.
The SMART Foundation first developed this model in California. Program components include its advocacy model Champions for Music Education, funding support through foundations, private donations and instrument rental partnerships, and the GIFT (Granting Instruments / Fulfilling Talent) program that provides instrument subsidies to disadvantaged students. The Foundation has served over 10,000 students and contributed hundreds of thousands to support school music programs.
Significantly, SMART is not a for profit business. SMART has no owners, shareholders, investors or partners. Instead, THE SMART FOUNDATION is guided by a diverse group of educators, musicians and business people who serve on SMART's Board of Directors. These dedicated people serve on SMART's board because of a shared concern for the health of music education and a firm belief in SMART's vision for insuring music is an integral part of every person's education.
As the exciting news about SMART spreads, a new synergy is rapidly growing between educators, parents, students and the community. With the support of educators and the community, SMART's vision for increasing every student's exposure to music is quickly being realized.
Instrument Rental Partnership Program
The Instrument Rental Partnership (IRP) Program was developed to provide reoccurring and sustainable income for school music
programs. If renting instruments is part of your school music program the IRP program is an easy way to generate income by
turning a need into an opportunity.
We have developed three basic models that can be modified to fit specific needs. For details on how to become a SMART Partner and participate in the IRP program send an email request to wilsong@smartfoundation.org.
We have developed three basic models that can be modified to fit specific needs. For details on how to become a SMART Partner and participate in the IRP program send an email request to wilsong@smartfoundation.org.
PTA/PTO/School Foundation Program
The Purpose
As part of the Champions for Music Education Program, The Instrument Rental Partnership is designed to provide funding for music programs while engaging parents in supporting music education at your school. Instruments and Accessories provided are of high quality, rent can be applied towards a purchase, rental rates are competitive, the whole process can be completed online from home and the Instruments are delivered to your School.
Partial Scholarships are available for underprivileged students through the SMART GIFT Program.
SMART will maintain a record of all students participating and will donate a portion of rent collected to your PTA, PTO or School Foundation to be used as support for your school music programs.
On average, Elementary Schools currently participating in our SMART Rental Partnership are receiving $3000 - $5000 in annual contributions.
The Program
The magic to this program is that it provides maximum benefits with minimum effort. Success will come through the following few steps:
For detailed information on how your school can become a Champion for Music Education and benefit from the Instrument Rental Partners Program please contact Chris Clark at The SMART Foundation (chris@smartfoundation.org).
As part of the Champions for Music Education Program, The Instrument Rental Partnership is designed to provide funding for music programs while engaging parents in supporting music education at your school. Instruments and Accessories provided are of high quality, rent can be applied towards a purchase, rental rates are competitive, the whole process can be completed online from home and the Instruments are delivered to your School.
Partial Scholarships are available for underprivileged students through the SMART GIFT Program.
SMART will maintain a record of all students participating and will donate a portion of rent collected to your PTA, PTO or School Foundation to be used as support for your school music programs.
On average, Elementary Schools currently participating in our SMART Rental Partnership are receiving $3000 - $5000 in annual contributions.
The Program
The magic to this program is that it provides maximum benefits with minimum effort. Success will come through the following few steps:
- Pass out Rental Partnership information to all potential music students
- Direct Students to SMART Foundation website for rentals and supplies
- Provide 3 volunteers to pass out Instruments to students when they arrive at your School
For detailed information on how your school can become a Champion for Music Education and benefit from the Instrument Rental Partners Program please contact Chris Clark at The SMART Foundation (chris@smartfoundation.org).
Mentor School Program
The Purpose
The Mentor School Option establishes a Middle or High School within a district as the key provider for the SMART Instrument Rental Partnership for their students and the schools that feed students into their program. The Mentor School is identified as a Champion for Music Education Advocate Leader providing support and funding to help grow and sustain their feeder programs creating a Win/Win for both programs.
This program also provides an opportunity for the Mentor School to establish a connection between NEW music students and their parents as they enter the Elementary music programs on their way to participating in the Mentor School programs.
The Program
The magic to this program is that it provides maximum benefits with minimum effort. Success will come through the following few steps:
This program is designed to help establish a path for communal participation between schools, educators and parents. SMART will maintain a record of all student participants and will donate a portion of rent collected to the Leadership Team to be used for the benefit of all schools participating.
On average, Elementary Schools currently participating in our SMART Rental Partnership Program are receiving $3000 - $5000 annual contributions. A Mentor School Program with 5 participating Elementary School Partners could generate as much as $25,000 or more to support their music programs.
For detailed information on how you can develop a Mentor School Program in your district, please contact Chris Clark at The SMART Foundation (chris@smartfoundation.org).
The Mentor School Option establishes a Middle or High School within a district as the key provider for the SMART Instrument Rental Partnership for their students and the schools that feed students into their program. The Mentor School is identified as a Champion for Music Education Advocate Leader providing support and funding to help grow and sustain their feeder programs creating a Win/Win for both programs.
This program also provides an opportunity for the Mentor School to establish a connection between NEW music students and their parents as they enter the Elementary music programs on their way to participating in the Mentor School programs.
The Program
The magic to this program is that it provides maximum benefits with minimum effort. Success will come through the following few steps:
- Establish Leadership Team – at least 1 parent representative from each school
- Pass out information to all potential music students at feeder schools
- Direct Students to SMART Foundation website for rentals and supplies
This program is designed to help establish a path for communal participation between schools, educators and parents. SMART will maintain a record of all student participants and will donate a portion of rent collected to the Leadership Team to be used for the benefit of all schools participating.
On average, Elementary Schools currently participating in our SMART Rental Partnership Program are receiving $3000 - $5000 annual contributions. A Mentor School Program with 5 participating Elementary School Partners could generate as much as $25,000 or more to support their music programs.
For detailed information on how you can develop a Mentor School Program in your district, please contact Chris Clark at The SMART Foundation (chris@smartfoundation.org).
After School Program
The Purpose
After School Music programs provide a valuable option for students who wish to play an instrument, especially when they do not have access to a classroom based school music program. Our Vision at SMART is "Music Education for All Children"; we are proud to provide assistance to partner organizations who share in this vision by providing quality After School Programming.
As part of the Champions for Music Education Program, The Instrument Rental Partnership is designed to provide funding for music programs while engaging parents in supporting music education at your school. Instruments and Accessories provided are of high quality, rent can be applied towards a purchase, rental rates are competitive, the whole process can be completed online from home and the Instruments are delivered to your School or Facility.
Partial Scholarships are available for underprivileged students through the SMART GIFT Program.
SMART will maintain a record of all students participating and will donate a portion of rent collected to your organization.
The Program
The magic to this program is that it provides maximum benefits with minimum effort. Instruments provided can be tailored to the needs of your student programs.
(A minimum number of rentals are required per program.)
Some of our CFME Partners have learned how to cover the cost of a class instructor by building the instrument rental into the class tuition. Ask for details!
For detailed information on how your school can become a Champion for Music Education and benefit from the Instrument Rental Partners Program please contact Chris Clark at The SMART Foundation (chris@smartfoundation.org).
After School Music programs provide a valuable option for students who wish to play an instrument, especially when they do not have access to a classroom based school music program. Our Vision at SMART is "Music Education for All Children"; we are proud to provide assistance to partner organizations who share in this vision by providing quality After School Programming.
As part of the Champions for Music Education Program, The Instrument Rental Partnership is designed to provide funding for music programs while engaging parents in supporting music education at your school. Instruments and Accessories provided are of high quality, rent can be applied towards a purchase, rental rates are competitive, the whole process can be completed online from home and the Instruments are delivered to your School or Facility.
Partial Scholarships are available for underprivileged students through the SMART GIFT Program.
SMART will maintain a record of all students participating and will donate a portion of rent collected to your organization.
The Program
The magic to this program is that it provides maximum benefits with minimum effort. Instruments provided can be tailored to the needs of your student programs.
(A minimum number of rentals are required per program.)
Some of our CFME Partners have learned how to cover the cost of a class instructor by building the instrument rental into the class tuition. Ask for details!
For detailed information on how your school can become a Champion for Music Education and benefit from the Instrument Rental Partners Program please contact Chris Clark at The SMART Foundation (chris@smartfoundation.org).
Summer Practice Program
Coming Soon!
G.I.F.T. Program
GIFT Program
(Granting Instruments, Fulfilling Talent)
Every child should have the opportunity to play.
Purpose
(Granting Instruments, Fulfilling Talent)
Every child should have the opportunity to play.
The GIFT Program provides instruments to underprivileged students who need to obtain a musical instrument in order to participate in their school music program but are unable do to financial hardship. GIFT provides instruments through two options: reduced rental rates (Rental Partnership Program) and instrument adoptions.
Reduced Rental Rates (Rental Partnership Program)
Students in need of financial assistance can receive an instrument at a 50% reduction from normal rental rates. This option is made available to students who participate in their district Free School Lunch program or those who can show other financial hardships. All purchase options and benefits provided to regular rental patrons apply to GIFT recipients.
Note: As a service, GIFT rental income is not subject to Rental Partner donations.
Instrument Adoptions
Instrument adoptions, both new and used, are available to students experiencing extreme financial hardship. Students wishing to apply must provide a letter of recommendation from their Music Teacher or School Principal, sign a commitment statement and agree to return the instrument to SMART if they choose to no longer participate in their school music program.
Funding
Funding for both GIFT options are provided through:
- Rental Partner Contribution: every SMART rental patron is provide the opportunity to help fund GIFT students by adding an additional
$1-$5 per month to their monthly instrument rent.
- Financial Gifts and Instrument Donations