The Tucson Jazz Music Foundation has been able to provide scholarships since 2012 to students whose families are experiencing financial difficulties, to students who are without families, and to students who can emotionally benefit from being part of a ‘team with a purpose’ ~ learning, performing and preserving an American art form. This has only been possible thanks to generous donations and gifts from individuals.
To make a donation quickly online, go here. To snail mail a donation, send to: Tucson Jazz Music Foundation, PO Box 87736, Tucson AZ 85754. If you have questions, please call 520-743-1349 or email treasurer@tjmfdn.org.
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Tucson Jazz Institute BEN STOWERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
If you have donated to the TJI Ben Stowers Scholarship Fund, you can view the status of the fund here.
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The easiest way to give without spending any money throughout the year is by SHOPPING!
It’s ‘ongoing’ and the rebate amounts are small — but they add up! Whether it’s holiday shopping, purchasing a birthday or anniversary present, or just day-to-day grocery shopping, consider including the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation in your Merchants’ donation program. We are registered with eScrip and Fry’s (Krogers).
Here are more formal ways you may give. Click on the Subject Title that interests you or just keep reading/scrolling.
DONATIONS
ANNUAL GIVING / ‘SPECIFIC PURPOSE’ GIVING
BEQUESTS
DONATIONS
Most donations are as a result of a performance by students of the Tucson Jazz Institute, a community music school producing some of the finest student jazz musicians in the country. Not only are they outstanding musicians that play great music, they bring joy and amazement to anyone who hears them. Audiences are motivated to:
Give Cash, Write a Check, or make a PayPal Donation
PayPal Subscription
Some donors on a fixed budget have opted to subscribe through PayPal and schedule a monthly donation. Every $ makes a difference.
Online Donations via PayPal
As you read this, consider making a donation right now.
ANNUAL GIVING / ‘SPECIFIC PURPOSE’ GIVING
At least once a year, usually during the 3rd quarter, donors have chosen to give annually to replenish our Scholarship Fund. Scholarship recipients for the school year are announced in December during the Tucson Jazz Institute Winter Concert. This event also serves as a platform for the Foundation to thank its donors.
Other donors have opted to additionally support travel expenses to jazz festival competitions and jazz education conferences. These usually occur January-May.
And others have sponsored individual students (full school year and travel expenses) and guest artists for clinics, performances, and recording residencies. The knowledge the guest artists share is valuable and practical in the technical and personal development of our young musicians. And almost always, the general public is invited to witness the magic and experience the ‘energy.’
Sponsoring school shows and field trips to jazz-themed presentations are ways the Foundation exposes thousands of children in Southern Arizona to live jazz music. From topics covering the history of jazz (and our country), to specific jazz styles, to the legends of jazz — composers, innovators, musicians, and vocalists — the FDN brings professional jazz musicians and vocalists — and sometimes dancers (budget permitting) — to children who may not have the means to attend a professional jazz concert. We could use your support through donations and volunteering to educate, inspire and motivate our youth to become future ‘jazzers.’ Become an usher, reach out to local schools, or distribute and review the results of kids’ surveys (very entertaining). We could use your help, and you will experience the joy of bringing jazz to kids in the schools.
BEQUESTS
What will you leave? What will be your legacy?
Planned gifts, known as bequests, allow you to make an impact on future generations of ‘jazzers.’ This ‘way of giving’ may provide you with the opportunity to make the largest gift. You can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation will be able to fulfill its mission of providing affordable and accessible jazz music education for Arizona’s youth. There may also be favorable tax advantages you can discuss with your accountant.
You can also impact the community by providing funding for live performances by the jazz students in communities throughout the state. You know from experience that audiences are always amazed by these young musicians. People find themselves smiling, laughing, and dancing in their seats or in the aisles. These ‘live’ performances create happy communities, and that’s healthy for all of us. Lasting bonds are formed that span communities, cities, states, the nation, and occasionally the world – thanks to live streaming services and international jazz festivals!
One of the best motivators for exposing and getting children involved in jazz music are live performances in the schools districts. Many a famous musician has identified a guest artist performing in their school as their first point of inspiration. You can make an impact on school children be funding educational jazz music school concerts.
You may have your own ideas, too. Or you may want to hear some more of our ideas for the future growth of the Foundation’s programs. Let us know you are interested.
The Tucson Jazz Music Foundation is providing sample ‘bequest’ language below to assist you with your planning. You may also contact attorney Craig Wisnom at Bogutz & Gordon, at 520-321-9700, to discuss bequest strategies.
Examples of bequest wording to benefit the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation:
Percentage (%) of estate for ‘unrestricted’ purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation, a not-for-profit organization located in Tucson, Arizona, ______ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation for the general purposes of the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation, located in Tucson, Arizona.
Specific amount for ‘unrestricted’ purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation, a not-for-profit organization located in Tucson, Arizona, the sum of $____________ in cash to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation for the general purposes of the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation and its related entities.
Specific amount for ‘specific’ purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation, a not-for-profit organization located in Tucson, Arizona, the sum of $____________ in cash to be used for __________________________________________ at the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation. If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation Board of Directors may redesignate the purpose to adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.
Definitions of Terms
Unrestricted: The most useful type of bequest is unrestricted, allowing the funds to be allocated by the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation wherever the need is greatest.
Restricted: You may designate your bequest to support a special program or purpose that reflects your personal or professional interest. Examples:
- individual scholarships (tuition, travel or both)
- guest artist clinics/residencies
- travel sponsorships to music conferences and jazz festivals/competitions
- sponsorships of educational school shows focused on jazz music history
- music library acquisitions
- purchase of musical instruments and music-related equipment
- sponsoring live performances in communities throughout the state
If the bequest is restricted to a specific purpose, it is important that the following wording be added at the end of the provision. This will ensure that, in the remote possibility a specified purpose may cease to need funds in the future, an alternate use for the bequest may be determined.
“….. for so long as the Board of Directors of the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation determines that the need exists. Should the need no longer exist, said Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, direct the use of my bequest for a purpose related as closely as possible to that stated above.”
NOTE: Donors are encouraged to call the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation at (520) 743-1349 before writing a WILL that includes any type of restriction on a bequest.
The information presented on these web pages is not offered as legal or tax advice. You are urged to seek the advice of your tax adviser, attorney, and/or financial planner to make certain any gift you are considering fits well in your specific circumstances.