Year-End Report 2025
501(c)3 – FEIN 46-4000828
Our Vision:
Grassroots and nation-wide support of instrument-based music education offered in schools or as after-school programs, so all children experience the measurable social, biological, economic, and academic benefits of music education, regardless of socioeconomic status, geographic location, or ability.
The Spirit of Harmony Foundation advocates for the moral imperative of music education by:
- Providing children’s music programs with information, ideas, and resources to help them address their needs and be the best they can be.
- Providing music education advocates with referrals and connections within their own communities so they can support local music programs in meaningful and impactful ways.
- Taking every opportunity to network and interact with other organizations to speak about the importance of music education for children.
- Fostering collegiality and community to promote love of music and music education.
Based on the most compelling empirical research in the fields of neurobiology and youth development, we endorse the following Best Practices: instrument-based music education for children, beginning at as young an age as possible, ideally for a minimum four hours per week, for a minimum of two years. The benefits of music education are closely linked to these recognized Best Practices, but in practical terms we recognize that any music program is preferable to no music program. A fully funded and fully functioning music program is not always feasible at a school, therefore we encourage all music programs to aspire to these high standards to the extent possible and do the best they can to provide a quality music education for their students.
2025 Program Highlights:
The Foundation is committed to always exploring innovative ways to educate the public about the moral imperative of music education, and seeking new ideas to leverage our networks to support music education for all children.
Los Angeles Fires: The fires that ravaged much of the Los Angeles area in January impacted numerous schools and their music programs. Even while the fires were still burning, the Spirit of Harmony began working with two Southern California-based nonprofits, Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom and Guitar Center Education Foundation, to identify specific schools that were impacted and begin to restore their music programs. For schools that were destroyed, this meant supporting the schools that took in the students from the impacted areas. Thanks to our partnership with the What the World Needs Now tour, SOHF helped increase awareness (creating and distributing info cards and a banner at each show) and helped raise more than $4000 from individuals for Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom to utilize in restoring music education programs in the Los Angeles area. Also, the strength of our partnership generated additional grants that were sent directly to the impacted schools. The highlight was Martin Guitars donating two beautiful guitars that were autographed by the WTWNN ensemble, and auctioned off at two Southern California shows.
Governmental Impacts: Beginning in January 2025 and continuing throughout the year, the political objectives of the United States government led to financial and programmatic upheaval for school music programs and music non-profits. As a great many of the organizations with which we work serve low-income and diverse communities, the sharp shift away from Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) and cultural programs had a seismic impact in terms of lost and delayed funding for the children they serve. In many cases, funding contracts were nullified due to references to DEI in the contract terminology.
As a trusted independent resource, the Spirit of Harmony actively networks with organizations to offer practical guidance and compilations of alternative resources to offer programs information to help deal with the changes. The Foundation created a special page in our Music Education Advocacy Toolkit for program resources directly related to the current climate, and revamped the website’s general Resources page to offer music programs in schools and organizations useful tools to help them navigate through rough waters.
It is important to note that the chaos these changes created also produced a sense of apprehension among schools and organizations regarding who to trust and what advice is reliable, so the independence and track record of the Spirit of Harmony as a trusted partner has been well received and greatly appreciated. Schools and organizations have been utilizing our resources through one-on-one communication or by simply using the website as a reference, including information on program safety for vulnerable communities.
Accomplishments – PROGRAM:
Partnerships. Functioning as an advocate for music programs around the country, the Foundation works one-on-one with programs nationwide, helping connect the programs with the resources they need to provide their students with optimal benefits. To accomplish this mission, partnerships are established and nurtured, introductions are made, and creative problem-solving is in the forefront of SOHF activities. Current active partnerships include: advocacy organizations, music manufacturers, instrument repair, businesses and corporations, school systems, academic institutions, service clubs, a wide variety of nonprofits, community leaders, music groups and artist fan bases, music schools (particularly School of Rock), etc.
A unique characteristic of the Spirit of Harmony is our dedication to creating strategic partnerships and collaborative relationships for our music education advocacy. While it is common for other non-profit organizations to be inherently competitive with one another, vying for donations and “measurable outcomes,” the Spirit of Harmony is not a direct service provider, and therefore we have no reason to compete in any way with other organizations. SOHF is one-of-a-kind, and that uniqueness brings about unique opportunities as we operate in a manner that is uncommon among non-profits, particularly when it comes to shepherding organizations that are accustomed to working alone into working harmoniously with others for the good of all. This approach is definitely worthwhile and important, but also a bit counter-cultural in the “silo mentality” that is frequently encountered in the non-profit world.
Advocacy. In addition to providing individual music programs with assistance in accessing resources, and in addition to the Foundation’s overall communication and networking to promote the importance of music education, SOHF takes every opportunity to empower and motivate our wide network of supporters to engage in Music Education Advocacy in their own communities. We encourage adults to recognize the importance of music in their own lives currently, as well as articulating their positive experiences with music as they grew up. An “army” of music education advocates supports our mission in myriad unique ways: by attending local children’s performances and events, by supporting local school music programs, instrument drives, etc., by promoting the moral imperative of music education within their own social and professional networks, and by celebrating music and music education in general.
The Spirit of Harmony takes an active role on the judging committee for Music For All, Advocacy In Action, helping set evaluation standards for the national AIA annual awards program, always advocating for smaller and/or struggling programs, and programs for younger children, to be included in the awards process, encouraged to participate, and fairly evaluated in the judging process.
Still Me/Still We Tour Information Tables: During Todd Rundgren’s Still ME/Still WE Tour, the Spirit of Harmony Foundation had an information table at nearly every U.S. show. In all, about 100 individual volunteers each worked at least one show. Throughout the tour, we handed out approximately 5000 information cards, 3500 wristbands, 3500 square pins, and 1000 magnets, and 1000 guitar picks, and interacted with many thousands of concertgoers.
At our information tables, we encourage all music lovers to become involved in advocating for music education in their own communities. Participation is the key to grassroots music education advocacy:
- Organize and donate to used musical instrument collection drives
- Show up to local school council and PTA meetings
- Attend children’s concerts and musical theatrical performances (even if you are not a parent)
- Support local fundraising efforts and events
- Share your interest in music education within your own social and professional networks
Community Building: Through information tables at concerts, social media posts, information sharing, and personal relationships, the Foundation endeavors to cultivate a positive and harmonious spirit throughout the fan community and music community that creates goodwill and enthusiasm for the Mission and Purposes of Music Education Advocacy, nationally and internationally.
SOHF continues to actively assist programs with:
- Networking among organizations to help match resources with needs.
- In an effort to be as responsive as possible to ever-evolving music education advocacy situations as they arise, the Foundation quickly mobilizes to assist with emergencies (such as the Maui and Los Angeles fires) to ensure music education is considered along with other critical needs of children and families.
- Technological and logistical issues related to remote/social distance music education.
- Information on new opportunities, resources, and support, and introductions as needed.
- Continual updating our Instrument Network database to reflect many changes in staffing and programming in school districts and organizations. The purpose of the database is to facilitate placing instruments that are being donated across the country.
- Social media posts share the latest music education-related information from professional and academic organizations, governmental, and cultural organizations, including NAMM, NAfME, Americans for the Arts, etc.
- Our Advocacy Toolkit is website-based and continually updated information to assist individuals and organizations for grassroots efforts to support music education. We strive to keep the Advocacy Toolkit and the foundation’s social media postings as supportive, current, and content-rich as possible.
- SOHF is involved with advocacy among elected officials, professional associations, and organizations, as appropriate.
Ongoing Musical Instrument Collections and Placements: The most universal needs of music programs are obtaining and maintaining funding and instruments. One of the best methods of engaging supporters is getting them involved in donating instruments and gear, whether a one-off donation of something they own, assisting with an instrument pick-up or delivery, or participating in a larger-scale instrument drive. We strive to make as many matches as possible with instrument donors and music programs that need them. Since instrument drives require pick-up/drop off sites, evaluation, repair/reconditioning, and redistribution, we continually develop relationships with organizations, and update our contact information on organizations in every state. Also, the Foundation maintains a close working relationship with national and regional instrument donation and repair organizations, and with Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock) and their extensive network connections.
- Pianos: As a rule, organizations that accept donated musical instruments steadfastly do not accept pianos and organs. However, SOHF does what we can to assist people who want to find a new home for their full-sized keyboards. To make this time-consuming process more efficient and a bit less daunting, we have developed a comprehensive guide on our website for people who want to donate pianos.
- 3D printing: Several of the Foundation’s supporters have initiated and are working together on a project to create ukuleles fabricated by 3D printing. The goal is to supply one entire fourth grade classroom with 3D printed ukuleles for the beginning of the 2027 academic year. In addition to refining and streamlining the process, we are looking for the best options for low-cost strings and tuning keys.
Accomplishments – ADMINISTRATIVE:
Board of Directors.
- Per the Bylaws, elections were held for Officers and Board members. No changes have been made to the roster of Officers and Board members.
- Maintained password-protected Board Portal for 2025.
- Zoom, Telephone, Email, and In-Person Board meetings and interactions throughout the year.
Business Practices.
- Financial and Program reports submitted to the Board of Directors on a Quarterly basis.
- All reports and official forms filed on time.
- All donations are accurately logged and acknowledged.
- 2025 Year-end tax letters for donors sent to all donors in January 2026.
- 2025 Year-end reports submitted to pro-bono accountant Chris Detzer in January 2026.
- Ongoing efficient responsiveness to general and specific inquiries and opportunities via email, telephone, and social media.
- Where required by law, SOHF maintains state-by-state non-profit registrations and filings by Michael Baird.
Fundraising:
- Individual donations: Ongoing donations and relationship-building with individual donors, regardless of the size of their donation.
- We work individually with families to set up “In honor of” and “In memory of” donations according to their wishes, and we cultivate relationships with donors who make “recurring monthly” gifts.
- Two online auctions completed with all items promptly packed and shipped.
- Sought out opportunities for matching grants, challenge grants, donor-designated funds, and cause-related marketing.
- Revamped the Merchandise page on the SOHF website to increase traffic and sales.
Other Accomplishments:
Awards and Recognition:
- Awarded Great Nonprofits’ “Top Nonprofits Award” 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Candid (formerly GuideStar) Bronze Seal in 2018, Silver Seal in 2019, Gold Seal in 2020, and Platinum (their highest level) Seal 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Music for All/Advocacy In Action partnership award, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
- Creative Schools Fund by Ingenuity of Chicago grant application evaluator, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Chicago Community Trust, Young Leaders Award, 2025.
Public Information/Engagement:
- Emails: emails sent out through Constant Contact as needed.
- Inquiries from the general public, on a vast range of topics.
- Social Media: Through daily posts on Facebook and other social media, the Foundation continually spreads awareness about the importance of Music Education in particular and music in general. The Foundation’s goal with social media is to provide high quality academic, inspirational, and fun content that will be liked and shared by our networks, and to build a powerful sense of community and enthusiasm around our Mission. The “hook” of all posts is always music education advocacy. Social media totals follow:
Social Media Report
|
|
December 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2024 |
|
Facebook Group Members |
12,123 |
10,879 |
|
Facebook Page Followers |
13,587 |
12,677 |
|
BlueSky |
349 | 252 |
| YouTube Channel subscribers | 954 | 936 |
|
Email List (Constant Contact) |
12,208 |
12,090 |
For additional information:
Please don’t hesitate to email the foundation at info@spiritofharmony.org to request any additional information.
Past Reports: