Give a Note Foundation Wins Award, Names New Executive Director/CEO
2016 marks the milestone fifth anniversary of the founding of Give a Note Foundation. Give a Note was created in 2011 by the National Association for Music Education with a vision of giving every child the opportunity to participate in school music programs. Its first five years of strategic collaborations and growing reach in the music education philanthropy space was recently honored by ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, which awarded Give a Note Foundation a 2016 Power of A® Gold Award. Give a Note was one of 30 Gold winners, out of 140 submissions.
These partnerships are critical to the reach and strength of the Foundation. “Building relationships has been at the forefront of my work with the Foundation since its inception 5 years ago,” commented Jane Mell Balek, recently promoted from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Give a Note Foundation. Ms. Balek is a veteran nonprofit executive with 15 years of experience with numerous organizations including the United Way, Urban Institute, and American Institutes for Research. Since 2011, Ms. Balek has spearheaded five national awareness campaigns and raised funds to support and strengthen music education programs across the United States. With new initiatives on the horizon, Ms. Balek seeks to broaden the reach and vision of Give a Note.
“I have personally witnessed the power of music in the lives of students across the nation. We have visited twenty-two communities – rural and urban – this year and we see common threads: great students and inspiring teachers.”
“I have personally witnessed the power of music in the lives of students across the nation. We have visited twenty-two communities – rural and urban – this year and we see common threads: great students and inspiring teachers,” said Ms. Balek. “It is my hope to make these next five years even more fruitful as we support the critical work of dedicated music teachers, helping them get the support they need to continue to make a difference in the lives of all students through music education. Music creates community. Through our Music in Our Schools Tour and our grant programs, we are building community awareness that will help sustain the music programs in the long term. Our cash grants empower teachers and school leaders to make the best decision for their school community. We are so grateful to ASAE for recognizing the invaluable work of Give a Note through its Power of A initiative.”
Jane Mell Balek, Executive Director and CEO of Give a Note Foundation. Photo by Mark Finkenstaedt.
The Power of A® Awards recognize a select number of organizations annually that distinguish themselves with innovative, effective and broad-reaching programs and activities that positively impact America and the world. The Power of A Awards recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions associations make to society by enriching lives, creating a competitive workforce, preparing society for the future, driving innovation and making a better world.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Catherina Hurlburt
Give a Note Foundation
(703) 860-4000 ext. 216
catherinah@nafme.org
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