In 2025, we brought the gift of music education to:
55
At-Risk Youth
42
Seniors
59
Community Members
Last Year's Highlights
We Also:
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Saw tremendous social-emotional growth in the teens we worked with in areas of leadership, emotional regulation, collaboration, persistence and musical expression
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Watched our volunteer music teachers grow in effectiveness to build trust with students and create opportunities for peer-to-peer learning
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Raised $6,700 at our Firehouse Fundraiser and were awarded $13,600 from grants
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Reach 75 at-risk teens with our music program
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Develop a consistent music class outside of juvenile detention, open to all teens in the community
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Add two senior assisted living facilities and a hospice music program
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Bring on three volunteers in areas of grant writing, community engagement, and marketing
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Support our programs by raising $50,000 in donations and grants
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Use $10,000 of raised funds towards a music scholarship for private students
This Year's Plans
We've seen music transform the people we serve. Here is just one story of a teen we worked with, told by our organization's Executive Director:
I’ll never forget one of the teens I worked with at the Whatcom Juvenile Detention Center who was just thirteen when he first got into trouble. In our first drum circle, he sat slouched in his chair, emotionless. Whenever he struggled with a rhythm, he’d push the drum away, convinced he couldn’t do it—even as I encouraged him with, "You got this." After a few more lessons and some one-on-one instruction, something changed. He started playing more, smiling more. Eventually, he was released, and I didn’t see him for a while.
Months later, I felt a tap on my shoulder while returning books at the Bellingham Library. “Remember me?” he asked. Of course, I did. Then he said something I’ll never forget: “Your lessons were really fun. I never felt okay playing music with others until I joined your drum circle. You made it easy.” His grandmother, standing nearby, added, “He’s with me now, and he’s gonna stay outta trouble.”
This is the impact of Gifts of Music NW and with your help, we can help more young people find their rhythm in life.
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$20 supports free music lessons at the Whatcom Juvenile Detention Center
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$50 helps us expand our program to other youth facilties in Whatcom County
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$100 helps train volunteers and bring on an additional music teacher
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$500 provides free musical instruments to students who can’t afford them
Your support offers more than music—it offers hope and a chance to rewrite one’s future. Thank you for believing in the power of music and the potential of our young people.
