Music for All Community Campaign

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Music for All Community Campaign?
The primary goal of the Music for All Campaign and its $7,000,000 fundraising goal has been to fund the first and only permanent home for music education and performance in Rhode Island. The original donors, with the vision for our new facility, raised over $5,000,000 to get this immense project off the ground. These funds allowed us to begin construction and to secure the loans necessary to get the Carter Center for Music Education & Performance project started.

With this first phase behind us, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SEE THIS CAMPAIGN THROUGH TO ITS COMPLETION. We have agreements with the banks to repay our loans within a certain period of time. We still have $2,000,000 to raise to complete this campaign, and we can’t do that without the help of our community.

Why doesn’t tuition pay for the building?
While tuition is a primary source of income for our organization, it only pays for 66% of the cost of providing lessons. The remainder of the costs of lessons and music activities are funded on an annual basis with donations from individuals and through events, and grants from foundations, businesses and the government. Therefore, the building has to be funded separately through a capital campaign.

How do I know my contribution will be used to support the building?
The money raised for the campaign will be put into a restricted fund which will be used to pay off the debt from the purchase and renovation of the Carter Center. By law, the funds in this account cannot be used for any other purpose.

Why is it important for families to contribute to the Music for All Community Campaign?
Our families know more about the value of the Carter Center than anyone in the community. You also are the people who truly believe in the value of music education for all children, now and in the future. Your support of this campaign speaks volumes to other people, businesses and foundations who may be asked to contribute, and to the original donors who contributed $5,000,000 towards making this building a reality.

I don’t understand the relationship between the Philharmonic Orchestra & the Philharmonic Music School.
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School is one organization with a dual mission that values outstanding music education and performance equally. We feel passionately about serving our current musical community and building the community of the future. We can do this together at the Carter Center by providing access to music—the gift of a lifetime—to all.

What if I cannot afford a big gift?
Your gift, no matter the size, will make a difference to our entire community.