The Musicians Foundation was established in 2004 as a 501(c)3 non profit organization dedicated to providing assistance (in the form of scholarships) to financially challenged and/or highly talented Musicians Institute (MI) students so they may achieve their educational goals in the field of music. Musicians Institute is committed to providing high quality professional training leading to careers in the contemporary music industry. 100% of all donations are applied directly towards student scholarships and fully tax deductible.

Our Mission

The Musicians Foundation’s mission is to continuously enhance private, community and institutional giving to the Musicians Institute (MI) Scholarship fund in support of MI students, and to develop and maintain positive relationships throughout the institution’s broad range of constituencies.

The Foundation is focused on fostering relationships, building partnerships, creating awareness and generating philanthropic support.

Through relationships with alumni, donors, leaders, business partners, legislators and the community, we are able to inspire investment in our student body, increase annual goals of renewable and sustainable funding, build advocacies and encourage active engagement. Through communications, outreach, media correspondence and music industry relations, we seek to build awareness, inspire action and sustain valuable alliances with our constituents in support of music education.

Musicians Institute :: www.mi.edu

Founded in 1977, Musicians Institute provides Bachelors Degree, AA Degree and Certificate programs for students of guitar, bass, percussion, keyboards, voice, guitar fabrication, audio engineering, original music production, music video and film, and music business. Over the past three decades, MI’s diverse student body has included many who have gone on to become successful professionals in the industry, including band members and backing musicians performing with such internationally recognized artists as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, Rhianna, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Korn, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Nine Inch Nails, Keb Mo, and dozens more.

Many current MI students with equal potential are unable to complete (or commence) their education because their families cannot afford the financial burden. Some must split their time between school and work yet still cannot make ends meet. The goal of The Musicians Foundation is to help these talented musicians achieve their educational and musical aspirations through scholarships that allow them to stay in school and complete their studies. These tax deductible scholarships are awarded to students who show a genuine passion and commitment to learning and to furthering their careers in the music industry.

Previous and Current Donors (partial list)

• The David Geffen Foundation
• TAXI
• The D’Addario Foundation
• ESP Guitars
• Schecter Guitars
• Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
• Carvin Corporation
• Travis Hannah Memorial Fund
• LaFamos Marketing, Publicity and Design
• Rocket Science
• The Scoob Trust Foundation
• Goldring, Hertz & Lichtenstein, LLP
• Fidelity Charitable Group
• YMA Records, LLC
• Arizona Community Foundation
• Music Concepts
• Alexander + Dinah Roberton
• Frontline Management Group Inc.
• Spence Berland
• Anonymous

Private giving helps assure Musicians Institute’s excellence in higher education. Philanthropic gifts allow MI to directly fund scholarships for it’s students. When you give to MI, you further the cause of higher education, an element that is vital to our nation’s future. You join a group of individuals who truly enjoy being part of MI’s family of supporters.

We ask that you support our efforts by making your tax deductible donation. Please contact Executive Director Beth Marlis at (323)860 1161 to learn more about the Foundation or to make a contribution.

Statement of Ethics

Staff, volunteers, and other individuals engaged in fundraising related activities for The Musicians Foundation are expected to maintain the highest standards of personal and professional ethics. Ethical behavior includes engaging in the spirit of teamwork; exhibiting respect for the institution, colleagues, students, faculty, and alumni; participating in those activities that are in the best interest of donors and the institution; avoiding real and perceived conflicts of interest; monitoring and sharing information regarding use of gift funds; and holding confidential all donor personal and financial information in accordance with administrative policy, federal and California state law, as well as sound donor relations practices.

In turn, The Musicians Foundation subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights endorsed by the American Association of Fundraising Counsel (AAFRC), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals(AFP).

Donor Bill of Rights*

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not for profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, it is declared that all donors have these rights.

1. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
3. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
6. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers or employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.

* "A Donor Bill of Rights," CASE, 1994