The Need:

Think of a child standing outside a school’s music room, looking through the small window in the door, watching all of the other kids inside and wishing they too could participate. If only…  The unfortunate reality is that many of our local children don’t have the household means to be able to afford even the simplest necessities for participating in their school’s music programs. Further, school and non-profit music programs are often underfunded due to fiscal constraints and other funding priorities. Our aim is to help reverse these realities in the Fort Collins area, in honor and loving memory of Kayla.

Our Vision:

One day, all school age children in the Fort Collins, Colorado area will have equal access to a quality music education, and the music programs at their schools, or non-profit organizations, will be thriving learning and cultural performance centers. (Video)

Our Mission:

Provide support to:

• • Poudre School District Schools by helping to enhance their music programs, with a special emphasis on ensuring that students with special or financial needs are able to more fully participate in their school’s music programs.

  • Fort Collins, Colorado area non-profit organizations that focus on the needs of children and young adults with providing musical opportunities for their clients.

Since 2009, the Kayla Foundation has been making a difference by enabling young people to make music. The Foundation connects local students and young clients with the resources they need for participation in musical opportunities.

 

Results:

The Kayla Foundation has now provided nearly $160,000 in financial assistance to:

• 49 Poudre School District Schools, (including charter schools)

  19 area non-profits

  5 district-wide choirs / festivals

  Nearly 60,000 children and young adults have been directly impacted by our grants

 

 

Acceptable Grant Types:

Financial support is made through direct grants to schools and other local area non-profits, for the purpose of supporting their students / clients and their particular needs. Examples of qualifying funding requests are:

For Lower Income Family / Special Needs Students:

• • The purchase or rental of uniforms or performance attire.

• • Basic musical supplies / maintenance (e.g. sheet music / folders, reeds, replacement strings etc.)

• • Large instrument rental fees or the purchase of small instruments and accessories.

• • Fees for music retreats, field trips and special opportunity events.

• • The purchase of music related equipment and supplies to support music therapy programs.

• • Fees for local music retreats, field trips and special opportunity events.

• • Travel expenses (see Code Selection Table) to participate in very special musical events (e.g. Carnegie Hall, CMEA or similar performances) requiring more significant travel.

For All Students:

• • The purchase or rental of uniforms or performance attire for the performing group.

• • The purchase of sheet music and protective folders.

• • The purchase or repair of instruments, cases, stands and tuners for the classroom.

• • The purchase of sound and lighting system equipment for musical productions.

• • The purchase of costumes, props, music, and sets for school musical productions.

• • The sponsorship of visiting teaching or performing professionals, and accompanists.

• • Fees associated with local musical events benefiting all music student / clients.

• • Purchase of music teaching tools, subscriptions, software, recording media and hardware for the classroom.  

 

REQUESTING A GRANT

 

 

Funding Sources:

The Kayla Foundation, a component fund of NoCo Foundation (previously known as the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado), a 501c3 organization, is funded entirely by the generosity of individual donations, grants awarded, business sponsorships and various fundraising activities such as Colorado Gives 365, Rocky Mountain High School’s Annual Adsit Arts Festival, Kinard Middle School’s  year end annual benefit concerts, our annual Gulley Greenhouse Gift Card sales each spring and our Human Bean Guest Barista Days. All funds received are, in turn, directed to meet the highest priority needs within our community.

To download a copy of our brochure click here.

Thank you for visiting our site. For further information please contact us at info@thekaylafoundation.org.

55