Fourth Annual Harvesting Hope Raises $30,000 for Foundations of Music

The Builders’ Board of Skender Foundation, comprised of young professionals, hosted its annual fundraiser, Harvesting Hope, on October 15 at House of Blues Chicago. This year’s charity partner and benefactor was Foundations of Music, a nonprofit organization that provides programs designed to implement culturally relevant, hands-on music education for children in Chicago. More than 350 people attended the event and collectively raised $30,000, which will enable Foundations of Music to deliver music programming to at least five additional schools.

Founded in 1988, Foundations of Music (formerly Rock for Kids) impacts more than 7,000 students in more than 30 Chicago public schools annually. More than 550 students receive direct music instruction from the organization’s artist in residency program in the form of general music and choir, as well as songwriting and production. Nearly 80% of classroom teachers surveyed reported that their students showed improvement in behavior, general demeanor and attitude as a result of their participation in the program.

“Foundations of Music relies on the support of people and organizations like Skender Foundation to make it possible for us to deliver high-quality, low-cost music education programming to some of Chicago’s most economically challenged neighborhoods,” says Steven Hartley, Executive Director of Foundations of Music. “We are grateful for the effort the Builders’ Board made on our behalf and for their generous support.”

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Harvesting Hope,” says Harvesting Hope Co-Chair, Brian Sanchez. “Foundations of Music was a very inspirational organization to work with and we were moved by its mission from day one. Thanks to the unprecedented generosity of this year’s sponsors and attendees, Foundations of Music will be able to bring music education programming to several new underserved schools.”

In previous years, Harvesting Hope highlighted Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Emergency Needs Fund, Common Threads and Urban Initiatives, raising money for these local charities promoting wellness and education.