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Financing:
Finding Funds for Technology - Part 1
These days its easier to get funding for technology than it is for arts programs. There is a great rush to be "wired" and every teacher is being compelled to use computers in the classroom. But when a music teacher asks the administration for computers in his classroom, most often the response it "What could you possibly need computers for?" If administrations don't know how music is being made in the world today, chances are they're going to view your request as trivial or excessive.
There are many ways to raise funds: federal grants, foundations, corporations, government, organizations, individual gifts, business support and fundraising.
Fundraising is familiar to all music departments. Most fundraising takes a lot of effort and manpower. Everyone is exhausted afterwards and often we wonder if the work involved equalled the funds raised. Parents are weary of being hit on to support every activity. Recently, I overheard a woman say that her daughter's PTA offered Platinum, Gold and Silver memberships! Fundraising aside, I'll bet it would surprise you to know tat 80% of all gifts come from individuals. But to find these sources takes time and commitment.
First you need to ask yourself some questions:
- How connected are you or could you be to community and business leaders?
- How able are you to articulate and demonstrate the business benefits of your music lab?
- How aware are you of companies that have similar interests and goals? For example, companies who would be interested in hiring your students.
- And here's your first lead: Do you know where your band parents work?
Give some thought to these questions and in the next edition we'll talk about how to write your justification so it appeals to business.
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