National Giving Month: Emily Eng '18 MM
Founder & Executive Director of Lift Music Fund
We envision a world where every student has the opportunity to realize their full potential in music.
What is your organization's mission?
Our mission is to make achievement in music more accessible and equitable by awarding monthly microgrants to BIPOC students ages 11-22.
What inspired you to launch this initiative?
I was inspired by observing the lack of diversity in classical music and researching how that intersected with and could be caused by the racial wealth gap in the US. I wanted to design a fund that would fill a unique niche of support for students — a box of reeds costs $30, and you need that box eight times a year if you're a saxophone player. A kid needs $50 to pay for a tune-up on their instrument. That might not seem like much for someone who has an amount of privilege, but it really can be a barrier for a family who is working to put food on the table.
What are your organization’s goals this year?
Our primary goal is to continue to increase the amount of students we are able to award funding each month and build awareness.
How have your NEC experiences shaped your approach to your work?
I learned a lot about program management in my role as a staff member in the Advancement & Engagement office.
Share any other stories that inspired your work.
Every month, reading the applications from students fuels the work that I do. It is clear there is a need in our community for this, and I'm so honored to be able to work to fill the access gap.
Learn more about Lift Music Fund
Website: Liftmusicfund.org
Facebook: Lift Music Fund
Instagram: @liftmusicfund