How many of you or your family members have been touched by organizations that survive mainly on donations from members of the community? These foundations touch us somehow in someway everyday, whether we know it or not. We have enjoyed art because of the J. Paul Getty Trust. Third world countries are getting health care attention because of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The music world has benefited from the Kennedy Awards and hundreds of families have been aided during difficult times because of the Ronald McDonald. The list goes on and on; American Cancer Society, Braille Institute, The Salvation Army, Asthma & Allergy, Alzheimer, Lupus, City of Hope, Kaiser Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis, etc.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Music Teachers’ Association of California Foundation is to facilitate the programs of the MTAC Association through financial support. This support is given to programs such as: student scholarships and awards; MTAC members in need; community outreach through the MTAC Branches; and artistic programs of the MTAC Association.

History of The Foundation

In 1989 the MTAC Association added the MTAC Foundation. On September 25, 1989, it was determined that the MTAC Foundation was exempt from Federal income tax under section 501C(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The MTAC Foundation accepts all donations and grants, and consequently provides money for the various programs, plus awards and scholarships to students. The MTAC Board of Directors is also the board of directors for the Foundation. The members of MTAC have a strong feeling that it is our responsibility to maintain the ideas set forth in our MTAC Mission Statement and Goals. [See Home Page.] In order to maintain our high musical goals, it is necessary to put money into the programs. Too many schools no longer have music programs with orchestras, chorus, bands and solo performance opportunities. We are attempting to fill this gap in the best way possible.

There are many types of funds accepted by the Foundation.

• MTAC accepts donations by check from individuals, Branches and businesses.
• MTAC also accepts donations thru Electronic Scrip Incorporated. See below.
• Members, spouses and friends can go for matching funds when one of you works for a company that has this program.
• Donations through stocks, securities, etc. are acceptable. See below.
• Donations can be designated for specific programs as so indicated, or for general use through the Second Century Fund.

Many of us give donations to churches, to organizations that touch us, or just to have a tax deduction at the end of the year. Whatever prompts you to give, include MTAC on your list this year. If each of us would just donate even $1-10 a year to our foundation, or give up one coffee drink from Starbucks per week and donate that to MTAC instead, we would grow on a regular basis. Please make the MTAC your charity.

Compose a Legacy

How You May Give to the Foundation

Gifts to the Music Teachers’ Association of California Foundation can be made in a number of ways, some during the lifetime of the donor, thus offering immediate tax advantages, personal fulfillment and benefit to others as part of an estate plan. The following general information may be helpful for financial planning during 2008 and the future.

• CASH

  • Make an immediate donation and take a charitable deduction as provided by law. Any gift or bequest to the MTAC Foundation can be made "in memoriam" or "in honor"
  • Purchase a life insurance policy naming the MTAC Foundation as the beneficiary, and take a charitable deduction equal to the premium amount. Several plans are available in which a new policy can be fully paid in a period of five to seven years.

  APPRECIATED ASSETS

  • Contribute appreciated assets, such as stock, real estate or personal property to the MTAC Foundation and receive a charitable deduction based on the current market value of the assets without capital gains taxes.

  EXISTING LIFE INSURANCE

  • Designate a life insurance policy naming the MTAC Foundation as a beneficiary and receive a charitable deduction based on the cash value of the policy.

  WILLS

  • Include the MTAC Foundation in a will. Fixed amounts, specific assets or percentages of the estate may be specified. Another option is to name the MTAC Foundation as recipient of the residue of an estate after all other expenses and specified contributions. Reduction of estate tax liability, if any, may also be available.

  TRUSTS

  • Include MTAC Foundation as you would in a will (see wills above) and/or establish a form of a charitable trust and/or annuities that provide the donor with a fixed or variable lifetime income and receive a charitable deduction at the same time.

  REAL ESTATE

  • Donate a home or real estate to the MTAC Foundation, enjoy the benefits of ownership for life, and recognize a charitable deduction based on actuarial value of remainder interest in real estate.

The above information is general in nature. Before making any decision, please consult with an attorney and/or financial advisor. A gift to the MTAC Foundation becomes "The Gift That Keeps on Giving" by prudent investment of the funds entrusted to it.

How to Donate

Please send the donation form and your check, payable to the MTAC Foundation, to the MTAC State Office, 833 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco CA 94103, att: Rhonda Williams, Financial Coordinator.

Choosing Programs to Receive Donations

Information regarding the various programs can be found by going to our home page or to the beginning of the MTAC Foundation link. Click on "Programs." Each MTAC program web page has a contact person listed. For further information, please contact that person.

Gifts of Securities

Wire Transfers

The easiest way to transfer securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, is to make a wire transfer from your bank or brokerage firm to our MTAC broker. Please call the MTAC Operations Administrator, Rhonda Williams, for the correct DTC and account number for the transfer. You can call her at 800-834-3340, ext. 105 (within CA) or 415-392-3340, ext. 105.

Electronic Scrip Incorporated - eScrip

Electronic Scrip Incorporated is a California based corporation dedicated to establishing a relationship between commerce and community by providing resources to organizations and projects that support children. ESI introduced the eScrip program in 1999 and has distributed over $120 million dollars to schools and youth organizations across the country.

By registering one or all of your store loyalty, credit and debit cards with www.escrip.com you can contribute to MTAC whenever you use your card at participating stores. Participating merchants will make contributions to MTAC based on purchases you make when using the cards you have registered. Stores include Macy’s, Eddie Bauer, Office Max, Linens and Things, Big 5 Sporting Goods and many more. Check the website for an updated list of stores and restaurants in your community. You can also shop at eScrip’s Online Mall which includes over 700 merchants.

Your purchases are tracked and available to you online, allowing you to see just how much you are earning for MTAC.

To get started you need only to go to www.escrip.com, enter our Group ID #500001198 and then follow the instructions. If you have already registered your card with another organization you can still add MTAC. Three designated organizations are allowed. If every teacher signs up think of the dollars rolling in to Certificate of Merit, Young Artists and Composers Guilds, Concerto/Solo Competition, etc.!

GoodSearch.com and GoodShop.com

What if MTAC earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!
GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Music Teachers’ Association of California Foundation as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the MTAC Foundation and how does it help MTAC?
  • It is the vehicle through which music-loving members and non-members alike can help to keep music education and music programs, such as performance and composition, alive and well.
• Is it basically for student awards and scholarships?
  • Student awards and scholarships are a large part of the Foundation budget; however, there is a large part of the budget that goes to other programs, such as:
    1. Friends of Today’s Music – Each year a composer of renown is commissioned to write a piece that is premiered at the State Convention. Several of the new pieces are played by MTAC students or members, with the composer often present to give comments.
    2. MTAC students who are in a Music Graduate Program can apply for a one-year $1,000 grant to help with their educational expenses.
    3. The Foundation helps to fund our Outreach Program by giving seed money to Branches that start a new Music Outreach Program. The Branches must apply for this grant by writing up a proposal with a description of the new program.
• Why do we need to give yearly?
  • The members of MTAC have a strong feeling that it is our responsibility to maintain the ideas set forth in our MTAC Mission Statement and Goals. [See Home Page.] In order to maintain our high musical goals, it is necessary to put money into the programs. Too many schools no longer have music programs with orchestras, chorus, bands and solo performance opportunities. We are attempting to fill this gap in the best way possible.
• How much should I give?
  • The important thing is not how much you give, but that you give what you feel appropriate for you. Every gift is important, no matter the size. Any gift, large and small, is important and greatly appreciated.
• Does my gift have to be in cash or check?
  • No, look at the section “Gifts of Securities.”
• Can I restrict or direct my gift to a particular area of MTAC?
  • Yes. Please read the various programs listed on the website and the Donation Form and make your choice.
• What is the best timing of gifts to the Foundation?
  • The MTAC Financial Year is August 1 to July 31. Gifts to the Foundation are listed in the Music Teacher Journal and Foundation Web Page according to the Financial Year. You can donate at any time, but remember that the gifts have to be received before December 31 for you to qualify for a Charitable Tax Deduction in this tax year.
• How can I find out if my employer (or my spouse’s employer) matches gifts to charitable organizations such as MTAC?
  • Check with the personnel office of the company. They can provide you with the appropriate form.

Forms and List of Contributors

• Donation Form
• Foundation Contributors 2008-2009

For more information, contact:

• Foundation Chair,