Why do music and arts organizations need a pledge walk?
#1 Budgets, that were already squeezed, are now being slashed in schools and community organizations throughout Massachusetts.
#2 Tickets, fees and tuition do not cover program costs
#3 Institutional support for the arts has drastically reduced in recent years
#4 Small, grass roots organizations do not have the capacity to do significant fundraising
Community organizations and schools have been forced to make difficult choices – consequently, many music and arts programs have been already been cut. The Walk for Music offers a new source of funding to help these programs survive!!!
What are the goals for the Walk for Music?
#1 Raise lots of money for local, community-based music and arts programs
#2 Bring together music-makers and artists of all ages, types, skills, and backgrounds
#3 Celebrate music-making and the arts
#4 Advocate for increased arts funding (public & private)
#5 Keep the arts alive in all of Boston's neighborhoods and surrounding communities
Who can participate in the Walk for Music?
Any music or arts program in a school, church or community organization may participate in the Walk for Music, and YOUR PROGRAM KEEPS 100% OF THE MONEY YOU RAISE!!!
HOW MUCH CAN BE RAISED?
Thus far, the Walk for Music has raised almost $250,000 in total. The top group raised over $12,000 with 35 walkers. The top pledge getter raised $1,350. Older pledge walks always have many walkers who raise as much as $10,000 individually. So you see, the potential is tremendous!!!
HOW MANY WALKERS DO WE NEED TO PARTICIPATE?
You can participate with as few (1) or as many walkers as you like -- but remember, the more walkers, the more you raise.
WHAT IF WE ARE BUSY ON THE DAY OF THE WALK ?
No problem … you can still participate as VIRTUAL WALKERS and collect pledges for your team.
WHAT IF MY MUSIC PROGRAM ISN'T LISTED?
You can become the team captain – just register your team, collect pledges, and give them to your favorite music program.
ARE THERE ANY FEES?
We have kept the walker registration fee low -- $5 per family -- to ensure the widest possible participation. No fees are charged to the benefiting programs. And unlike many other pledge walks, there are no required pledge commitments in order to participate.
WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION FEE USED FOR?
The Walk for Music itself receives NO pledges -- 100% of pledges go to support music programs. Therefore, the registration fees are used to help fund the costs of the event, which include t-shirts, permits, sound systems, transportation, programs, banners, communications, and of course, portable toilets!
WILL THERE BE PLEDGE SHEETS?
Yes. Pledge sheets are available on the web site. You can print them and distribute them to your walkers.
HOW DO WE RECRUIT PLEDGES?
There are no pledge or goal minimums. Note that many other pledge walks require that walkers raise from $1000 to $2500 -- so it is possible to be VERY productive!
1. No amount is too small -- it is the nature of pledge walks that lots of small donations combine to become a big contribution.
2. You can recruit pledges from family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, people at church, other musicians, etc. If you have ever sponsored someone in another walk, it's time for them to return the favor.
3. It's easier to collect cash when people make the pledge, instead of going back a second time after the Walk.
4. TEAMS: Please tell your walkers in what name checks should be written. Remember that 100% of your team's pledges go to your organization. So please do NOT make checks payable to Walk for Music, or they cannot be deposited!
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PLEDGES?
You recruit your pledges. You collect your pledges. And your team deposits the donations.
ARE DONATIONS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
When you make a pledge to the Walk for Music, 100% of your donation goes to the team (i.e. music program) you pledge to. So the tax status of your donation depends on the tax status of that music program -- please confirm tax status with them. If you make a gift of more than $250, you should receive a donation receipt from the music program you supported. Again, please confirm receipt status with them.
Donations to the Walk for Music organization are tax-deductible, thanks to the generous support of our fiscal sponsor, the Back Bay Chorale. Individuals who wish to help subsidize the costs of the Walk for Music event can send tax-deductible donations payable to "Back Bay Chorale for Walk for Music" to: Walk For Music, c/o Back Bay Chorale-Fiscal Sponsor, PO Box 61, Boston, MA 02117.
WHERE IS THE WALK ROUTE?
The Walk for Music will be held in the Back Bay Fens. We will meet at the basketball courts opposite the corner of Park Drive and Jersey Street. The walk will follow the perimeter of the Back Bay Fens without crossing any major roads. The walk is a short 2 miles to make it accessible for children, seniors and everyone in between. If there are "walkers" who prefer to participate without walking, they can serve as "walk workers" or simply participate. (And yes, they can still raise pledges -- the key is participating!!!)
WILL THERE BE PARKING?
No. No. No. No. In general, there is very little parking in the Fenway neighborhood. It is STRONGLY urged that you not bring a car anywhere near the neighborhood. Your best bet is to park and take the T to the Green Line, "E" train, Museum of Fine Arts stop. We will have volunteers at the T to meet you and direct you to the Walk for Music registration.
WILL THERE BE MARKETING MATERIALS?
Yes, marketing materials are posted on the web site. You can print them and distribute them to your walkers.
DOES THE WALK FOR MUSIC NEED VOLUNTEERS?
You bet!!! If you have volunteers who are willing to help before, during or after the event, please send their names and email addresses to ellen@walkformusic.org. AND THANK YOU!!!
DID YOU FIND THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION?
If not, please send your question to walkformusic @ verizon.net
