In March 2017, Certain Sparks Music established an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, aptly titled The Certain Sparks Music Foundation. 
With this new branch of our business, we aim to provide music education, mentoring, and opportunities for enrichment to the underserved in our community. Since opening our doors in 2014, Certain Sparks has expanded to a student base of over 100 musicians of all ages, from toddlers to elders. But for every new student or parent who is able to afford weekly lessons, new instruments, and accessories –like tuners, strings, sticks, or the occasional repair we provide them — we see a handful of eager patrons who are incapable of funding these things on their own.
With a small staff of active musicians, each of us with our own unique backgrounds and interests, Certain Sparks wishes to help those who need aid in order to pursue something that they are interested in.
Music education has been proven to stimulate overall brain development, verbal competency, critical thinking, discipline, fine motor skills, self-expression, teamwork, and confidence. It’s something we here at Certain Sparks are privileged to witness on a daily basis. As we watch shy students come out of their shells to perform in front of their peers, retired adults establish an invigorating new hobby, and groups forming new bands.
We sincerely believe that these are benefits that should be enjoyed by anyone who wishes to attain them, and that this should not be dictated by social class or random circumstance. As such, we have established this foundation as a way to support our goal of providing all potential music students with the education they deserve.
How You Can Help
As all of our current funding comes from monthly student tuition and instrument sales, we are depending on donations to fill the gaps. Here are a few of the things your money can go towards.
Annual Music Student Sponsorship
Any amount of your choice will go towards assisting a student with paying their monthly tuition. Our $1000 goal will afford an entire year of lessons for each student. You can donate any amount towards student tuition at this link: https://csmusicfoundation.org/make-donation/
Buy A Guitar String Program
With over 100 current students, all playing instruments which require regular maintenance. The cost of guitar strings can add up over time. For as little as $1, you can pay for a single guitar string to be provided free-of-cost to a student in need. You can donate any amount towards our Buy A Guitar String Program at this link: https://csmusicfoundation.org/cause/annual-music-student-sponsorship/
Music Education Fund
While we do our best to provide a quality education to our students, we can really only reach the people who travel to us and walk through our doors. With proper funding, we will be able to bring our education directly to children in schools! We have previously created and implemented music programs for The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians, Santa Bonita School District, and Dunn School. With additional funding, we can provide these services at little to no cost to the organizations themselves. You can donate any amount towards our Music Education Fund at this link: https://csmusicfoundation.org/cause/help-children-get-music-education/
Volunteer Program
If you have a musical education yourself, or wish to volunteer your time towards one of our programs, we will gladly consider your help! We are currently looking for volunteers to teach music lessons, teach music therapy, or assist us in setting up and running events, like our education programs and our seasonal student recitals. You can apply to volunteer at this link: https://csmusicfoundation.org/volunteer-sign-up/
Your donations are tax deductible, and will help us expand our music programs further in our community. Music can change lives, and you can help!
Learn more at: https://csmusicfoundation.org/