Music Education: A Sound Investment is the theme
of the capital campaign to create the Wisconsin Center for Music
Education. The theme is symbolic and meaningful because contributors
will be investing in the future of our youth. Donors will help
challenge our youth to achieve excellence
through music.
Music education is a "sound investment" because
it can be the "key" to important aspects of our society. Music
is key to successful schools. Music helps make schools the places
that youth want to be.
Music is key to building community. There is a
critical need to restore and nurture a sense of community in
our country. Studying and performing music creates a dialogue
and bond between people. Participation in a music ensemble is
a beautiful example of the important balance between individual
and group rights and responsibilities.
Active music making is key to personal development.
More and more research has reported the connection between involvement
in music, brain development, reasoning skills, and creative
problem solving. In addition, research continues to show the
recreational and therapeutic applications of music listening
and music making.
The goal of this Music Education: A Sound
Investment campaign is $1.9 million. The campaign will
create and furnish the Wisconsin Center for Music Education.
3. Why is there a need for a new
facility?
To keep pace with the growth of existing programs
and demands for expanded services, there is a need for additional
headquarters office space for WSMA, the Foundation and the Wisconsin
Music Educators Association. In addition, when you add specialized
facilities such as a sound studio, resource center and distance
learning center to the potential of digital technology and the
Internet, new music opportunities can be provided to students,
teachers, parents and other adults throughout the entire state.
Added space will also make it possible to develop new partnerships
with other music organizations and community based art groups.
4. Why should WFSM own its own
building instead of continuing its practice of leasing office
space?
While leasing space was a sound decision in the
past, a current financial analysis of leasing versus owning
office space makes it clear that times have changed. Using costs
for 6,000 square feet of space as a basis for comparison, the
difference in actual cost and lost equity over an 8-year period
is over $200,000. In addition, owning allows WFSM and WSMA to
take advantage of their tax-exempt status.
5. Who will be asked to contribute
to the campaign?
There will be a statewide solicitation of businesses,
industry, corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Wisconsin
Foundation for School Music and Wisconsin School Music Association
began the campaign by seeking the support of the Boards of Directors
and staff and recently celebrated their support and 100% participation.
6. Why should businesses, corporations,
and industry give to the Music Education: A Sound Investment
campaign
Your gift will help create the Wisconsin
Center for Music Education that will support a special
group of young people – those involved in music education.
These youth are among our most creative, resourceful,
and dedicated. It is true that great satisfaction and
joy can result from active participation in music. But
accomplishing this requires dedication, initiative, discipline,
and willingness to work hard. These same personal qualities
lead to being a successful parent, citizen, or leader
throughout life.
The visibility of a gift as you support this very
special group of young people and their families, will return
benefits to any individual, industry, corporation, foundation,
or organization.
Yes! The Wisconsin Foundation for School Music
is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Therefore, all gifts
to the campaign are deductible within state and federal laws.
The goal of $1.9 million is too high to
be reached with out of pocket cash gifts. By establishing
a three to five year pledge period, donors will be able
to maximize their generosity to the campaign. They can
also benefit from income tax laws written to encourage
gifts to not-for-profit organizations.
9. Can I make a gift to the campaign
other than cash?
Yes! The Wisconsin Foundation for School Music
accepts gifts of stocks, bonds, insurance policies, real estate,
personal property, livestock production, works of art, or any
item that may be converted to cash for the campaign.
Donors will be recognized, as they wish, in press
releases, on the WFSM website, in WSMA and WFSM publications,
and in the recognition area of the new Center for Music Education
building.
The beginning date of your pledge is up to you.
The opportunity to pledge enables you to time your giving
in conjunction with other charitable or personal obligations.
Only you can answer that question. We ask that
you consider your pledge in terms of the music opportunities
and activities you want to be available for our youth.
