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 too many children don’t have the means in their homes 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. 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:

Founded on April 1, 2009, the goal of “The Kayla Foundation” is to provide support to:

• Poudre School District students, with financial needs, helping them more fully participate in their school’s music programs.
• Poudre School District Schools by helping to enhance their 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

Grant funding is made through grants to individual schools, or other non-profits, for the purpose of supporting their students / clients and their particular needs. Examples of funding needs are:

ONLINE GRANT APPLICATION

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.
• Music related travel expenses (e.g. performance attire, participation fees, sheet music, instruments etc.) to participate in very special musical events (e.g. Carnegie Hall or similar performances requiring travel). For other non-musical related travel expenses please see below**.

For All Students:

• Purchase of music teaching tools, subscriptions, software*, recording media and hardware for the classroom.
• 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 system equipment for the school / non-profit.
• Costumes, props, music, and sets for school musical productions.
• The sponsorship of visiting teaching or performing professionals, and accompanists.
• Fees associated with musical events benefiting all music student / clients.
• *Note that all software must be approved by the site or school IT Department.

*Note that all software must be approved by the site or school IT Department.

Unfortunately, due to limited resources, we cannot provide funding for needs such as the following:

• teacher training
• magazines
• lighting equipment
• videography equipment
• lodging or food related expenses to musical events. **If these funds are needed we recommend you contact Beth Higgins at bhiggins@psdschools.org for more information.

Funding Sources:

The Kayla Foundation, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado a 501c3 organization, is funded entirely by the generosity of donations, grants awarded, business sponsorships and various fundraising activities such as our annual Gulley Greenhouse Gift Card sales each spring. All funds received are, in turn, directed to meet the highest priority needs within our community, in keeping with the guidelines listed above.

Our Logo:

The Kayla Foundation logo uses Kayla’s actual signature as its centerpiece. Her signature was copied from the last birthday card she would ever give to her mom, which was just 2 weeks before her death. Her signature is uplifted in the title line representing how she lifted up the lives of others while she was on earth and how her memory continues to lift spirits today. The heart shown was a heart that Kayla always used when signing her name. This particular one was taken from a CD she had made for her sister before her sudden passing.

To download a copy of our brochure click here.

For further information please contact us at info@thekaylafoundation.org.