MTNA Foundation Fund.

MTNA Foundation Fund. Begun in 1971 as the MTNA Scholarship Foundation, the MTNAFOUNDATION was created in 1989 by the MTNA Administrative Committee. Theformer Scholarship Foundation had been established to further theambitions of talented, young musicians and to provide travel grants tooffset participation costs in regional and national auditions. TheScholarship Foundation, independently chartered and incorporated,enlisted its own board of trustees, including LaVahn Maesch, president;Allen I. McHose, vice president; and Nadine Dresskell,secretary-treasurer. Initially, members were encouraged to make a four-year commitmentof annual donations in honor of MTNA's centennial. The firstgrants, given in the 1975-1976 fiscal year, allocated $25 to each stateaffiliate to assist state winners with travel expenses to divisionauditions. Following that, the Scholarship Foundation renewed itsefforts in a Continuing Contribution Drive. Each state encouraged 51percent member participation in the foundation by the 1978 conventionwith a minimum contribution of $10 per member. By 1980, nationalparticipation averaged 22.8 percent, with the Southwest Division meetingthe 51 percent goal. In 1987 the Foundation Scholar program was begun,which rewarded $1,000 to graduating high school seniors who werefinalists in the national competitions. CREATION OF MTNA FOUNDATION The MTNA Scholarship Foundation reorganized in 1989 to become theMTNA FOUNDATION with the following additional goals beyond grantingscholarships: * To make gifts or contributions to individuals or organizationsfor furthering music education and research * To demonstrate the value of music and improve publicunderstanding of the music teaching profession * To present lectures, seminars, symposia and other educationalendeavors on topics of importance to the music teaching profession For nine years, the original Scholarship Foundation monies wereplaced in a trust with an independent distribution committee, and theearned income provided grants for state-level competition winners totravel to division-level competitions. In 1999, management of the trustwas transferred back to the MTNA FOUNDATION, establishing the Allen I.McHose Scholarship Fund. The additional assets, totaling nearly$500,000, more than doubled the holdings of the MTNA FOUNDATION. Based on decisions made by the MTNA FOUNDATION Board of Trustees attheir meeting during the 2003 National Conference in Salt Lake City, theMTNA FOUNDATION was reorganized and integrated legally andadministratively with MTNA. Because at this time MTNA had recentlyreceived 501(c) (3) charitable organization status, it was able to beginreceiving funds on a charitable contribution, tax deductible basis. Thisdecision produced the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND. AWARDS/GRANTS PROGRAMS * The MTNA Achievement Award, MTNA's highest honor, isbestowed upon an individual who has made significant and lastingcontributions to the music teaching profession. * The American Music Teacher Article of the Year Award is presentedto the outstanding author of a feature article written expressly forAMT. * The Benjamin Whitten Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award isgiven to the MTNA Collegiate Chapter that demonstrates excellence in itschapter activities. * The MTNA Distinguished Service Award is given in recognition ofsignificant and long-term contribution to the National Association. * The Frances Clark Keyboard Pedagogy Award rewards an individualor group who has made a significant contribution to the keyboardpedagogy field. * Local Association Grants are awarded to MTNA-affiliated localassociations for projects that provide educational opportunities forstudents and teachers and support the promotion of music in theimmediate community. * The Local Association of the Year Award recognizes the local MTAthat makes the most significant contribution to the music teachingprofession through participation in MTNA national programs andadditional programs established within its state and local area. * The MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year Award is given to aselected composer of a state-commissioned work. * State Affiliate Grants are awarded to state affiliates to enhanceprofessional and educational development of their members, as well ascreating innovative programs that will promote and enhance music, musiceducation and music technology throughout the state. * The State Affiliate of the Year Award recognizes the state MTAthat makes the most significant contribution to the music teachingprofession through participation in MTNA national programs andadditional programs established within its state. * Teacher Enrichment Grants are provided to music teachers forprivate study, specific college-level course work or other projects thatwill enhance the performing and teaching skills of the applicant. * The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes an individual teacherwho has made a difference in students' lives, has contributed tothe advancement of music in the community and is an example of aprofessional music educator. * Student Competitions prizes are funded through a combination ofsponsorships, the Allen I. McHose Scholarship Trust and FOUNDATION FUNDmonies. ENDOWMENT FUNDS Funding for the above awards is provided in part by MTNA FOUNDATIONFUND endowment funds. Named endowment funds are established bycontributing $10,000 or more in the name of the donor or in anotherindividual's name. Contributors to MTNA may direct their donationto a specific endowment, thus increasing its value. There are 29 namedendowment funds. Donors may also direct gifts to the general endowmentfund, which supports MTNA programs. FELLOWS Another way of contributing to The MTNA FOUNDATION FUND is throughthe MTNA Fellow program, which offers a meaningful method for honoringdeserving individuals, while supporting the efforts of the MTNAFOUNDATION FUND through a donation to the FOUNDATION FUND in anindividual's name. Designating a Fellow requires a contribution of $1,000 or more. Thefunds may come from one individual's donation or from a group ofpersons wishing to confer this special honor upon a colleague. TheFellow distinction may not be established in the contributor's ownname as this is an honor bestowed by peers. LEAVING A LEGACY Established in 1995, the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND Legacy Societyrecognizes people who have invested in the future of music through aplanned gift to the FOUNDATION FUND. Members of the Legacy Society planfor a contribution to be made through their will, stocks or bonds, lifeinsurance or trust after their death. That way, continuing commitment tothe art of music will be demonstrated for years to come. Also,individuals who establish and completely fund a named endowment willbecome a member of the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND Legacy Society.